Was a little surprised by the number of changes for final ODI, asserts VVS Laxman

After sealing the ODI series thanks to Deepak Chahar heroics, India made as many as six changes to their playing XI - five of them made their ODI debuts - for the final ODI in Colombo. Subsequently, the side went on to lose the game by three wickets - India's only ODI loss in Sri Lanka since 2012. VVS Laxman stated that he found it a little baffling by seeing the number of changes and called for "constancy" in the line-up.

"I am not saying this with the benefit of hindsight or because of the result (India lost the third ODI), but I was a little surprised by the number of changes made to the Indian XI for the final ODI," Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India on Sunday.

"Agreed, there is loads of talent within the squad and many of the debutants caught the eye, but I’d have loved a little more constancy, especially in the bowling department."

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was rested for the final ODI as was Deepak Chahar, who won the match of the match award in the second game. Laxman stated that with the T20 World Cup in sight, main players need to be given more game time to be fit for the mega event.

"Someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs overs under his belt to hit peak rhythm, as was obvious in the first two games. He would have been better off with another 8-9 overs leading up to the T20I series, which assumes greater significance because it is India’s last outing in this format before the World Cup later in the year.

"I also believe Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav should have played the last game (third ODI) and extended their good run because penetrative spin in the middle overs has been a bit of a problem in white-ball cricket for a little while," Laxman wrote.

The T20I series will kick start on July 25 at SSC, Colombo.