The Indian cricket team — led by Rohit Sharma in Virat Kohli's absence — came up with a shoddy batting effort in the ongoing first ODI of a three-match series in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 10.
The Men in Blue, after being sent it to bat at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA), could manage only 112 from 38.2 overs as Sri Lanka bowlers ran through India's top-order, leaving them reeling at 29 for 7 at one point.
Also read: Watch match online here
Sri Lanka bowlers, especially Suranga Lakmal (4 for 13), made the best use of a tinge of green on the HPCA track as Indian batsmen struggled to put bat to ball. Senior campaigners, including captain Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan, had no answers for the spirited new ball burst.
The inexperienced middle order, consisting the likes of debutant Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik, succumbed due to poor shot selection.
Dhoni wages lone battle
Except MS Dhoni, who waged a lone battle to save India from being bowled out for an embarrassing total, none managed to score more than 20. The former Indian captain combined well with the tail-enders, stitching together a crucial 41-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kuldeep Yadav.
Dhoni, though, was forced to switch gears as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. The wicketkeeper batsmen fell for 65 in the 39th over of the match in a bid to score some quick runs.
Twitterati, unlike the Indian batsmen, had a field day as they trolled Rohit Sharma-led team.
Some cricket fans even pointed out the impact of Kohli's absence in the team. The Delhi dasher reportedly is in Italy and is rumoured to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma in the coming days.
IBTimes India has compiled a few reactions from fans to India's abject batting display on Sunday.
'BCCI ready to airlift Virat Kohli from Italy'
Virat Kohli must be thinking "chain se shadi bhi nhi krne denge ye log" #INDvSL
— ßєคɾɖ Guყ ??? (@BeingFlicked) December 10, 2017
Take away Virat Kohli, and the Indian batting looks like it’s married to uncertainty.#IndvsSL
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) December 10, 2017
Hope Star Sports don't telecast matches in Italy. #INDvSL
— Aishwaryaa H (@ImAishu_) December 10, 2017
When Virat Kohli in Italy hears about India’s situation right now #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/NZGzhQqXAD
— Naveen Samy (@ImNsamy) December 10, 2017
Sources say BCCI is ready to airlift Virat Kohli from Italy. #INDvSL
— Silly Point ? (@FarziCricketer) December 10, 2017
Anushka Sharma: I can't live without you
— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) December 10, 2017
Virat Kohli: Same here
Indian Team: Ditto
Few days ago we were waiting for Kohli's 3 figures and now we are waiting for India's 3 figures.#INDvSL
— Vighnesh Rane. (@Vighrane01) December 10, 2017
I was preserving this for some reason;
— kula (@beanstalk_91) December 10, 2017
and the day has come!! Worth the wait though. #indvsl pic.twitter.com/Xqef6XAqvw
Rohit had said he would have wanted to bat first anyways
Rohit 'said' he wanted to bat first, and India is playing two spinners. Shows how well this team management reads the pitches and conditions.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 10, 2017
Looking ahead for South Africa tour...
Reaction of South African players after seeing India’s batting in seaming conditions... #IndvSL pic.twitter.com/zFhs19fXbn
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) December 10, 2017
Indian in tatters when ball is swinging and seaming. Ominous with tour of SA just weeks away
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 10, 2017
Sri Lanka has become very aggressive and ruthless. That's what inhaling the Delhi air does to u.. #INDvSL
— Comedian Praveen (@Funny_Leone) December 10, 2017
