India vs Sri Lanka seemed like a University team vs School team match: Ramiz Raja

The first ODI match between India and Sri Lanka saw visitors dominating the home team from top to bottom. The young guns of Shikhar Dhawan’s army started firing from the very beginning and wrapped up the show when 80 balls remained in the game. In the same light, former Pakistan cricketer and analyst Ramiz Raja described his experience of the first ODI between the two teams.

Raja added that the game between India and Sri Lanka looked like a match between a university and a school team. The difference between skills, management, and execution was so visible that islanders looked completely clueless on their home soil only. Raja also stated that Sri Lankan cricket is enduring a very challenging time and need to pull up their socks.

“India vs Sri Lanka seemed like a University team vs School team match. Such was the difference between the skills, execution, talent, and the ability to understand the game. This is a very challenging situation for Sri Lankan cricket because they were playing at home. They prepared a flat pitch for the series opener against India and still ended with an average score,” said Raja while speaking on his YouTube channel.

It looked like Sri Lanka had no idea how to tackle spin: Ramiz Raja

The former cricketer also added that though Lanka posted decent 262 runs on the board, it could have been an even low-scoring game if their lower order wouldn’t have shown a bit of aggression. Raja threw light on the fact that Lankan batters are known for playing spinners well and they failed miserably against Indian spinners in the first ODI. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav came back after long showed every bit of perfection as they picked two wickets each in the game.

“The way Sri Lanka played against spin, it looked like they had no idea how to tackle spin. Historically, Sri Lankan batsmen have dominated the spinners. However, the current lot just does not seem to be on that level yet,” Raja concluded.

The next ODI between India and Sri Lanka is all set for July 20, Tuesday.