India lost the ODI series to Sri Lanka 2-0. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma does not believe that the Men in Blue were complacent in Sri Lanka during the ODI series after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Responding to a query over the same after India’s 2-0 series loss, he described the observation as a ‘joke’.

Sri Lanka hammered the Men in Blue by 110 runs in the third and final ODI of the series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts put up 248-7 on the board. In the chase, India were bundled out for 138 in 26.1 overs, as Dunith Wellalage claimed 5-27.

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Rohit emphatically dismissed a query on whether Team India was complacent in the one-dayers.

“It is a joke,” he said, “When you are playing for India, there is no complacency. And, as far as I am here captaining the team, it’s not going to be the case. You come out here trying to win every game,” the Indian captain went on to add.

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The 37-year-old, however, admitted that the Men in Blue were outplayed in the ODI series and praised Sri Lanka for playing better than them.

“Yeah, we were outplayed throughout the series. You’ve got to give credit where it is due. Sri Lanka played better than us,” Rohit conceded.

Spin was India’s Achilles’ heel throughout the one-day series as the Men in Blue suffered batting collapses in all three matches. Asked whether it was a matter of concern for the visitors, the Indian captain replied:

“I don’t think it is a concern. But it is something we need to look at seriously into our individual game plans. [It was] definitely something that we were put under pressure throughout the series with,” Rohit stated.

Jeffrey Vandersay claimed eight wickets in two matches for Sri Lanka, while Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka picked up seven and six wickets, respectively, in three matches each.

“We thought taking the pace off the ball is ideal” – Rohit Sharma on team combination for 3rd ODI

India made two changes in their playing XI for the final one-dayer against Sri Lanka. While Rishabh Pant came in for KL Rahul, the Men in Blue also handed an ODI debut in Riyan Parag in place of Arshdeep Singh.

On the decision to pick a spinner ahead of a frontline pacer, Rohit explained:

“We looked at the conditions and thought taking the pace off the ball is ideal and we went with that combination. We also have to look at guys who are waiting in the wings. All in all, we didn’t play good cricket throughout the series and hence we stand here with that result,” the Indian captain concluded.

Riyan impressed with the ball, claiming 3-54. However, his effort went in vain as India’s batters again came a cropper against Sri Lanka’s spinners.