Team India's start under Gautam Gambhir has been a mixed bag of results. After lifting the T20I series, the Men in Blue went down 2-0 in the three-match ODI series. Indian batters fell to the maze trap plotted by young Lankan spinners, led by Dunith Wellalage.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and others bowed down to Sri Lankan spinners on a heavily turning Colombo track. Being at home, the Lankan bowlers were well aware of the pitch and played according to the plan of keeping their lengths tight.
After the first ODI was tied, Sri Lanka managed to white-wash India in the remainder of the series, winning the next two games by a handsome margin. India have hit a low, right at the start of the Gautam Gambhir era.
One definite thing to ponder before the next assignment is whether the Indian batters struggle against opposition spinners. The Sporting News takes a look!
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Do Indian batsmen struggle against spinners?
Indian batters struggled against Sri Lankan spinners throughout the tour. Moreover, Rohit Sharma & Co. were bowled out on all three occasions in the ODI series. 90% of the wickets (27 out of 30) in the three ODIs were picked by spinners.
| Event | Wickets lost to spinners |
|---|---|
| ODI series | 09 wickets |
| T20I series | 27 wickets |
Which unwanted records did India set in the series loss to Sri Lanka?
Most wickets lost to spin: Indian batters gave away 27 wickets to Sri Lanka's spinners in the recent ODI series, which is a new record. India's previous worst, was 19 wickets, to Pakistan in 1996.
27 wickets to spin: Sri Lankan spinners picked 27 wickets against India in the recent ODI series. And that is the most wickets picked by spinners in a three-match ODI bilateral series. The Lankan turners beat Bangladesh's record of 21 wickets against Pakistan, set in 2011.
27 years: 27 is a lucky number for Sri Lanka, you'd think! This is the first time in 27 years, that Sri Lanka have beaten India in an ODI series. Their last triumph came in 1997, when Sachin Tendulkar's India went down 0-3, to an Arjuna Ranatunga-led Sri Lankan side.
MORE: Former fast bowler slams India's decision to bench KL Rahul in series-decider
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