• Virat Kohli's sportsmanlike act of gifting a signed jersey to Kusal Mendis went viral over social media.

  • India suffers historic 3-0 ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka, marking their first bilateral ODI series loss in 27 years.

WATCH: Virat Kohli gifts a signed jersey to Kusal Mendis amidst India’s historic defeat against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli's jersey gifting gesture to Kusal Mendis amidst historic defeat against Sri Lanka (Image source: X)

In a series that will be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history for all the wrong reasons, Sri Lanka completed a humiliating 3-0 whitewash over the Men in Blue.

India suffer humiliating whitewash

The island nation inflicted their first bilateral ODI series defeat on India in 27 years, a statistic that underlines the abject nature of India’s performance.

The final nail in the coffin was hammered in on Tuesday, as India were bowled out for a paltry 138 in the third ODI, succumbing to a 110-run defeat. The target was never going to be challenging, but the manner in which the Indian batting collapsed was a testament to the gulf in quality between the two sides.

Virat Kohli’s friendly gesture of sportsmanship

Amidst the ruins of India’s campaign, one shining moment emerged. Virat Kohli, the Indian batting stalwart, displayed exemplary sportsmanship by gifting him a signed jersey to Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis after the match. The gesture was a recognition of Mendis’ outstanding performance in the series, where he was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s victories.

Mendis, who had been a thorn in India’s side throughout the series, was visibly touched by Kohli’s gesture. The exchange was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, earning praise from fans and experts alike. Kohli’s act of grace was a stark contrast to the abject performance of his team, and it served as a reminder of the true spirit of the game.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene reacts to Sri Lanka’s historic ODI series win over India

India’s batting woes continue

India’s batting has been a major cause for concern in recent times, and the Sri Lanka series only served to highlight the team’s fragility. The top order, which is normally the backbone of the Indian batting, failed to deliver consistently. Rohit Sharma, Virat, and Shreyas Iyer, all experienced campaigners, looked out of sorts.

The middle order too was found wanting. Rishabh Pant, who has been in excellent form in the IPL, struggled to find his rhythm. The likes of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, who have shown glimpses of their batting prowess, were unable to contribute significantly.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack shines

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was the star of the show. Jeffrey Vandersay, a leg spinner, and Dunith Wellalage, a young left-arm spinner, were the standout performers, together picking up 15 wickets in the series. Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando also chipped in with crucial contributions. The Sri Lankan bowlers were disciplined, accurate, and varied their pace and length effectively, making life difficult for the Indian batters.

Road ahead for India

The whitewash against Sri Lanka is a massive setback for Indian cricket. The team management will have to introspect and make the necessary changes to address the issues. Building a strong batting lineup should be the top priority. The team will also need to find the right balance between experience and youth.

The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a crucial tournament for India, and the team will be under immense pressure to perform. The whitewash against Sri Lanka has exposed the team’s vulnerabilities, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Also READ: Angry fans roast India head coach Gautam Gambhir after ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka

Subscribe to Cricket Times on YouTube to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Weekly News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Featured India Video Virat Kohli

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.