Team India would not have thought that despite being in a position to win the first ODI against Sri Lanka, it would be forced to settle for a tie. In this match played in Colombo, the Indian team could not even achieve the target of 231 runs. The team lost both its remaining wickets in scoring the last 1 run. In this match, while Sri Lanka's spinners played an important role in stopping Team India from winning, an experiment by captain Rohit Sharma and new coach Gautam Gambhir also became the reason for this, which failed miserably. What was that experiment and what should be done instead, we will tell you.

The first match of the series was tied on Friday in Colombo. Sri Lanka batted first and scored 230 runs and Team India could not cross this score. Captain Rohit Sharma made an explosive start for the Indian team and laid a good foundation for victory. However, Rohit and Shubman Gill were out within a few balls. After Gill was out, Virat Kohli came at number three, but after Rohit was out, Gambhir did an experiment at number four, which did not work.

Gambhir-Rohit's experiment failed

According to the batting order of Team India, Shreyas Iyer was supposed to come at number four but at that time Sri Lanka's young leg spinner Dunith Vellalalage was wreaking havoc. He was the one who took the wickets of Gill and Rohit. In such a situation, to reduce his threat, Team India promoted all-rounder Washington Sundar in place of Shreyas. Left-handed batsman Sundar's batting ability has often been praised and he has also displayed it many times in Test cricket, but this move did not work. Sundar was out after scoring just 5 runs in 4 balls.

Now the question is, was this move wrong? If we talk about intention or thinking, then it was not wrong at all. If Team India had played Rishabh Pant in this match, then there would have been no need for this. In his absence, Team India had only two left-handed batting options and this is where Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma made a mistake. Actually, apart from Sundar, Team India also had the option of sending Akshar Patel and considering his recent form, he should have been sent.

Akshar has done wonders with the bat

Team India had shown a lot of faith in Akshar in the last few matches and he lived up to this faith in batting. Akshar was promoted to number four or five in 2-3 matches of the T20 World Cup, in which he played an important innings of 20 runs against Pakistan and then who can forget his blazing innings of 47 runs coming at number five in the final. In such a situation, Akshar would have been a better choice for this job, considering his form and confidence. Now it will be hoped that if such a need arises in the next 2 matches of the series, then Gambhir and Rohit will not make this mistake.