“India has just 3 ODIs before the Champions Trophy” – Wasim Jaffer raises concern after Men in Blue’s series defeat against SL

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has raised concerns after India’s 2-0 series loss against Sri Lanka. This is the first time that Men in Blue have lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka after 27 years. Sri Lanka registered a 3-0 series victory against India, back in 1997 while playing at home.

Indian batters could not deliver the goods for the team as they could not chase down totals below 250 in all three matches. The first ODI was tied when Sri Lanka posted 230 runs on the board after electing to bat first.

India was then skittled out for 208 in the run-chase of 241 runs in the second game and suffered a 32-run loss. The visitors were hammered by a huge margin of 110 runs in the third ODI as they were bundled out for 138 while chasing 249.

“SL played better cricket and deserve the series win. It doesn’t worry me that India lost a series. Wins and losses are part of the game. However it’s a point of concern that India has just 3 ODIs before the Champions Trophy. #SLvIND,” Jaffer wrote on his X account.

This was India’s last ODI series in 2024 and they will next take on England in a three-match ODI series in home conditions in February 2025.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma admitted they need to introspect a few areas after a disappointing series loss against Sri Lanka.

He said in the post-match presentation, “There are a lot of areas we need to look at rather than the positives from this series because we need to be better prepared when we come across such conditions next time. These things happen, series loss is not the end of the world, you will lose an odd series here and there but it is about how you come back after the loss.”

India will next take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series.