After the undisputed dominance against Sri Lankans in 3-match Test series, team India locked horns with the Lions in the limited-over format with the first ODI at Dambulla on Sunday. The Men in blue were clear favorites going into the match. However, Dhawan’s century and Kohli’s fifty cruised India to a 1-0 lead against Sri Lanka in the 5-match ODI series.

Success in India’s most loved sport like Cricket is very tough, the fruits of hard work in this field are quite priceless. Be it grand IPL, other limited overs sessions or test formats, cricketers have scope to make it big in any way.

It seemed that Sri Lankans did not learn anything from their Test series they lost 3-0. They continued their poor performance even in the limited-overs cricket. This defeat was followed by a group of Sri Lankan fans expressing their displeasure and made their disappointment with the team at Dambulla after the match.

A group of nearly 50 stood in the surrounding area of the Sri Lankan bus and shouted slogans “we want our cricket back” and “no politics in cricket” against their team players. Soon, they dispersed from the area when the police intervened and cleared the spot. This led to the team’s departure from the venue by half an hour.

The team has been tormented by numerous on-field poor performances with no real substitute appearing for Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. If the fans have not shown their annoyance with the team’s play in the stands, it has come loud and clear on social media with multiple memes and satirical digs at the team, selectors and administrators.

Aware of the rapidly declining popularity of the national team, present and past players have pleaded fans to support the side through the slump.

Ahead of the series, ODI captain Upul Tharanga made an impassioned plea to fans in a board release, stating:

“The support of our fans plays a big role in the morale of the team. We play for our country and our goal is to bring pride to our family of 20 million in this nation – so your support is something that matters greatly to us … trust in us, and stick with us, so that you can be our strength as we rise again like lions.”

Sangakkara too called for fans to rally behind the team and said,

“When we won, you celebrated with us, and when we lost, you grieved alongside us. When the team was struggling, when we were most in need, your love and support were our strength. Now, what our cricketers need is that same, love, support, patience and effort. Let’s hope for the team’s victory, and support them as one.”

In recent times, Sri Lanka crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy in group stages following a harrowing fielding display; lost ODI series to 11th ranked Zimbabwe and then just about beat them in a one-off Test match. Now in the ongoing series against India, they were demolished 0-3 in the three-match Test series and started off with a nine-wicket defeat in the first ODI.

Sri Lanka will square off against India at Pallekele on Thursday for the second ODI.

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