'Let’s admit that...,' Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli's struggle against spin in ODI series loss vs Sri Lanka

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has said that the pitches in Sri Lanka were tough to bat on. The comments come after India lost the three-match ODI series 0-2with the first ODI being tied. This was the first time since 1997 since that India lost a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Karthik was responding to a question about India batter Virat Kohli's lack of runs and LBW dismissal in the series when he made the comments. Kohli scored 24 runs in the first ODI while managing only 14 and 20 runs in the next two games.

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“It’s been a tough pitch to play spin in this series, let’s admit that first. Be it Virat Kohli, be it Rohit Sharma, or be it anyone else. With the slightly semi-new ball between overs about 8 to 30, it’s been hard work. It’s nothing to worry about. Not too many pitches work that way, but it’s been a tough pitch to play spinners. I’m not going to defend Virat Kohli here, but I can tell you that playing spin was very hard,” Karthik said in a conversation with news outlet Cricbuzz.

After the first game ended in a tie, India lost the second ODI by 32 runs and the third ODI by 110 runs. They were chasing in all three matches after losing three consecutive tosses.

India skipper Rohit Sharma had also agreed that the ability to play spin is something they (team) will have to look into but didn't call it a concern.

"I don't think it's (playing spin) a concern, but it's something we need to look at seriously, our individual gameplans, and it's something we were definitely put under pressure with in this series." Rohit had said after the loss in third ODI.