Was it a shock? I would say yes: Abhishek Nayar reflects on India's loss vs SL

[rollingstoned]

Was it a shock? I would say yes: Abhishek Nayar reflects on India's loss vs SL

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar reflected on India's loss against Sri Lanka and called it no less than a surprise. India lost the 2nd ODI match against Sri Lanka by 32 runs in Colombo.

 

Rohit Sharma refuses to compromise on intent despite shock loss. Courtesy: PTI

 

In Short

• India suffer a 32-run defeat against India in the 2nd ODI match
• Abhshek Nayar calls the loss vs Sri Lanka a "surprise"
• India end sequence of 11 consecutive bilateral series win over Sri Lanka

 

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar reflected on India's loss against Sri Lanka in the 2nd ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 4, Sunday. He tried to make a sense of what he called as a "surprising" loss. He blamed it on the spin-friendly conditions that India suffered an unexpected defeat against Sri Lanka. India was outplayed by the hosts Sri Lanka across the departments as they won the 2nd ODI by 32 runs to take an unassailable lead in the 3-match ODI series.

 

"Was it a shock? I would say yes, there is a surprise," Nayar said. "But you anticipate and understand that in these conditions the game can turn on its head because there is so much spin on offer. "Even if you look at the last game, it was relatively easy to score against the new ball. As the ball got older, the conditions when batting second got slightly tougher. Sometimes, in tough conditions, especially in the 50-over format, this happens.

Sri Lanka outplay India

Sri Lanka yet again won the toss and opted to bat first on a pitch which was gripping and turning viciously. Theye managed to recover from 136/6 to put 240 runs on the board.

 

Nayar admitted that the team will reflect on what went wrong in the last two ODIs for them.

 

"We want to go back and understand, and rectify, why it happened twice in a row. The day before yesterday, we were able to stitch partnerships. But today we lost quite a few wickets in a bundle."

Sri Lanka's spinner delivered a Player of the Match performance as he picked up six wickets and conceded 33 runs in his 10-over quota against India. Nayar also hailed the spinner for making full use of the spinning conditions.

"Sri Lanka bowled really well"

 

"They bowled well - I think Vandersay bowled the ideal length in these conditions," Nayar said. "In such conditions, when the ball is turning - and the way Vandersay bowled today, used his finger, and bowled stump to stump - you get these phases when there is assistance from the pitch. I feel today we should give more credit to Sri Lanka."

 

"When you are batting first, there is less pressure," Nayar said. "When you are chasing, the pressure is more because you have to keep an eye on the run rate, wickets. Whenever you bat first, you often have partnerships. Wellalage batted really well, both in the last game and this game. They scored important runs in the lower order."

"Was it a shock? I would say yes, there is a surprise. But you anticipate and understand that in these conditions, the game can turn on its head because there is so much spin on offer. Even if you look at the last game, it was relatively easy to score against the new ball. As the ball got older, the conditions when batting second got slightly tougher.

"Sometimes in tough conditions, especially in the 50-over format, this happens. We want to go back and understand, and rectify, why it happened twice in a row. The day before yesterday (Friday), we were able to stitch partnerships. But here, we lost quite a few wickets in a bundle," said Nayar after the match ended.

In both ODIs so far, India have been mixing up their middle-order positions. On Sunday, Shivam Dube was promoted to number four, followed by Axar Patel at five. It meant Shreyas Iyer came at number six, while KL Rahul was pushed to number seven. Nayar justified the move, saying keeping a left-right combination at the crease was crucial for them.

"My belief is that in any sport, position only matters if you're playing in different areas of a game. If you look at all middle order batters, the idea of that is batting in the middle order. We lost wickets in the middle phase, and that's where the middle order batters batted. It wasn’t like any middle order batters batted towards the end.

"If you look at numbers like four, five, or six, maybe sometimes it can play games in your head. But if you look at the situation of the game, because we lost wickets, everyone typically batted in the middle order. So, what is perceived as a change, it was more about keeping a left-and-right combination, keeping in mind that there were offspinners, and a legspinner in the Sri Lanka team.

"So, the thought process was right. Sometimes, when you don't get the result, you kind of question it. But I believe that the think tank and thought process of having the left-right combination was right, so that we can kind of capitalize on the conditions. But when it doesn't work out, these questions are asked often. So, I've always believed that if a middle order batter bats as a middle order batter, it is the right decision," he said.

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who replaced the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, spun a vicious web around Indian batters, picking the first six wickets to fall to end up with 6-33. Nayar stated India were prepared to tackle spinners, but gave credit to Sri Lankan bowlers for outclassing them.

"Well we did, because the last two T20I games as well, assisted spin. When we came in and practiced as well, we kind of understood that there will be turn on offer, there will be help and assistance for them. So it wasn't a surprise, we were sort of prepared for it.

"They bowled well - I think Vandersay bowled the ideal length in these conditions. In such conditions, when the ball is turning - and the way Vandersay bowled, he used his googly well, and bowled stump to stump - you get these phases when there is assistance from the pitch.

"But yes, Sri Lanka played well, their bowlers have bowled well, and they've scored important runs in the lower order. So credit to them for the way they've played so far, and we've got one game and we try and come back hard in the last one," said Nayar.

With the bat, Sri Lanka were in danger of being bowled out for a low total. But Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis rescued them for the second time in as many matches with an inspiring lower-order 72-run stand for Sri Lanka to post a competitive 240/9, including making 79 runs in last ten overs.

"When you are batting first, there is less pressure. When you are chasing, the pressure is more because you have to keep an eye on the run rate, wickets. Whenever you bat first, you often have partnerships. Wellalage batted really well, both in the last game and this game.

"The pitch becomes different to bat in second innings, as compared to first innings. They scored important runs in the lower order and did well with the ball too. So it's just been one of those games where you've tried hard but it's not worked out," concluded Nayar.

 

The loss also ended India's sequence of 11 consecutive bilateral series wins in the ODIs against Sri Lanka. 

 

[Ultimate_Game]

How can it be a shock when the same theme has played out over the last 3 ODI matches we've played? In all the matches - WC2023 final, and the first two ODIs in SL - Rohit had given us a pretty decent start with Run Rate not being a factor at all. It's numbers 3, 4 and 5 who've failed every single time.

 

A half-decent performance from them wins every match but they failed spectacularly. They simply stalled the innings and wasted Rohit's blistering start every game. And it's not as if it's a new theme. Our ODI side has been performing quite poorly over the last 2-3 years with the same core group. Our main team lost to SA where our A side was able to win. Given the next WC is 3 years away, time to bring in some fresh blood and jettison the core group who'll be too old by then.

 

2027 WC will most probably be Bumrah's last major tourney (if he stays till then) and let's not waste it the same way we have wasted him for the last decade with continuous failure of the batsmen by choking in knockouts and finals. He won us the recent WT20 with his once in a generation bowling performance throughout the tourney and it's time we get the batsmen who can actually support him. Jaiswal not even in the ODI side is a joke and Pant benched for KL is simply pathetic.

[Lord]

So both captain and coach won't come to PC in case of loss. Atleast earlier coaches used to come

[Lord]

56 minutes ago, Ultimate_Game said:

How can it be a shock when the same theme has played out over the last 3 ODI matches we've played? In all the matches - WC2023 final, and the first two ODIs in SL - Rohit had given us a pretty decent start with Run Rate not being a factor at all. It's numbers 3, 4 and 5 who've failed every single time.

 

A half-decent performance from them wins every match but they failed spectacularly. They simply stalled the innings and wasted Rohit's blistering start every game. And it's not as if it's a new theme. Our ODI side has been performing quite poorly over the last 2-3 years with the same core group. Our main team lost to SA where our A side was able to win. Given the next WC is 3 years away, time to bring in some fresh blood and jettison the core group who'll be too old by then.

 

2027 WC will most probably be Bumrah's last major tourney (if he stays till then) and let's not waste it the same way we have wasted him for the last decade with continuous failure of the batsmen by choking in knockouts and finals. He won us the recent WT20 with his once in a generation bowling performance throughout the tourney and it's time we get the batsmen who can actually support him. Jaiswal not even in the ODI side is a joke and Pant benched for KL is simply pathetic.

 

KL still playing after WC only means they out dosti yaari over results

[Ultimate_Game]

1 minute ago, Lord said:

 

KL still playing after WC only means they out dosti yaari over results

 

How KL is played ahead of Pant is mind boggling when KL has done nothing of note to get into the side.

[Chakdephatte]

26 minutes ago, Ultimate_Game said:

 

How KL is played ahead of Pant is mind boggling when KL has done nothing of note to get into the side.

Pretty sure Pant's poor show in T20s is the reason. 

 

Won't even blame Gambhir here. You need someone who thinks for long term to take such decisions. Coz Pant will be needed in SA. Dravid was built differently. 

Edited August 5, 2024 by Chakdephatte

[Ultimate_Game]

Just now, Chakdephatte said:

Pretty sure Pant's poor show in T20s is the reason. 

 

You need someone who thinks for long term to take such decisions. Coz Pant will be needed in SA. Dravid was last thinking man in the country. 

 

If poor show in T20s is the reason then no spot for half the players in this team including KL Rahul and Kohli. In that case Jaiswal and Parag should get into the team.

[tweaker]

Someone like Parag who can bowl some spin should have been preferred over Iyer or Dube.

Parag could have bowled 10 overs on this pitch and would have made the difference

[Chakdephatte]

2 minutes ago, Ultimate_Game said:

 

If poor show in T20s is the reason then no spot for half the players in this team including KL Rahul and Kohli. In that case Jaiswal and Parag should get into the team.

They can be tried. In fact, Parag and Rinku should get a lot of matches before the Champions trophy. 

 

I won't alter the opening pair though. 

Edited August 5, 2024 by Chakdephatte

[Suhaan]

24 minutes ago, Lord said:

So both captain and coach won't come to PC in case of loss. Atleast earlier coaches used to come

Gambhir has looked like a fool,who is just about talk big results and vision nil(atleast is quite a few facets of the game)

Kl has time and again shown his uselessness

He should be dropped  from LOI squads

Why did he allow Abhishek getting demoted after that brilliant century and then not getting even picked for SLt20s

Parag is sidelined for two duds in Iyer,kela

 

 

[Ultimate_Game]

6 minutes ago, Chakdephatte said:

They can be tried. In fact, Parag and Rinku should get a lot of matches before the Champions trophy. 

 

I won't alter the opening pair though. 

 

Jaiswal should get in. He's the form batsman and probably our best batsman. Rohit-Jaiswal openers with Gill (or Sai Sudarshan) at 3. Once Rohit goes, Gill can take his spot. And Parag, Rinku, and even Nitish Reddy and Venky Iyer should be tried as the next WC is in SA and we'll need pace all-rounders. Need backup for Pandya and more bench strength.

[Chakdephatte]

10 minutes ago, Ultimate_Game said:

 

Jaiswal should get in. He's the form batsman and probably our best batsman. Rohit-Jaiswal openers with Gill (or Sai Sudarshan) at 3. Once Rohit goes, Gill can take his spot. And Parag, Rinku, and even Nitish Reddy and Venky Iyer should be tried as the next WC is in SA and we'll need pace all-rounders. Need backup for Pandya and more bench strength.

Neither Reddy nor Venkatesh is that good against pace. I don't it happening. Pandya still has the hitting base even he struggles against many things. Still can't be replaced. 

 

Jaiswal is not immediate solution. Our openers are fine till champions trophy. He should play after that considering Rohit's age and record in SA. Not that I am expecting Jaiswal to thrive in South Africa either. 

Edited August 5, 2024 by Chakdephatte

[Ultimate_Game]

10 minutes ago, Chakdephatte said:

Neither Reddy nor Venkatesh is that good against pace. I don't it happening. Pandya still has the hitting base even he struggles against many things. Still can't be replaced. 

 

Have to try and experiment now so we have the team ready 3 years down the road. We won't know unless we try as Dube is not the answer to pace all-rounder in SA either as a batsman or a bowler. Both Nitish Reddy and Venky would be an upgrade over him. But playing the current lot is of not much use.

 

Pandya is the starter but we need bench strength or prepare for a backup. We don't want to be in the same position as 2023 WC where Pandya gets injured and we've no clue what to do. At least trying out Nitish Reddy and Venky Iyer gives us an option and we wouldn't know how good they are unless we try.

Edited August 5, 2024 by Ultimate_Game

[nitinbwj]

What's the use of this 'coach' when he won't be coaching anyone. What are his credentials anyways ? He ain't gonna do ****.

[Kron]

44 minutes ago, nitinbwj said:

What's the use of this 'coach' when he won't be coaching anyone. What are his credentials anyways ? He ain't gonna do ****.

I dont want to trash gambo cause I respect match winners and clutch players. But currently he isn't helping himself. 

I expected more. 

[New guy]

Our paid cowardly media will never call this out. In the 90s and early 2000s our media would be crucifying the super stars even if they lost to might Australia away on their own home. Here we can lose to near minnows yet they will be jerking over the likes of Kohli.

[Chakdephatte]

13 hours ago, nitinbwj said:

What's the use of this 'coach' when he won't be coaching anyone. What are his credentials anyways ? He ain't gonna do ****.

Apparently, so many credited him for KKR's trophy and LSG's success (or the lack of it). 

[gattaca]

1 hour ago, New guy said:

Our paid cowardly media will never call this out. In the 90s and early 2000s our media would be crucifying the super stars even if they lost to might Australia away on their own home. Here we can lose to near minnows yet they will be jerking over the likes of Kohli.

Does it help lol ? Putting more pressure doesn’t help anyone. This is a silly match. It’s almost like parents putting pressure on kid to be a class topper. What we want is the team to learn how they get better from these failures. 

[Lord]

13 minutes ago, gattaca said:

Does it help lol ? Putting more pressure doesn’t help anyone. This is a silly match. It’s almost like parents putting pressure on kid to be a class topper. What we want is the team to learn how they get better from these failures. 

 

Other extreme is no accountability. Putting pressure on a kid is not allowed because a kid can't take it. But professionals should.

[gattaca]

2 minutes ago, Lord said:

 

Other extreme is no accountability. Putting pressure on a kid is not allowed because a kid can't take it. But professionals should.

Sure the staff started just this series. How much accountability can be expected ? Need to give time. They need to understand the team and players skill and plan accordingly. understanding people is most important thing in sports. 

Edited August 6, 2024 by gattaca