Sri Lanka Triumphs Over India in Second ODI Thanks to Vandersay's Exceptional Performance

In an intense match held at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka defeated India by 32 runs in the second One Day International (ODI) of the series, taking a 1-0 lead. The star of the match was Jeffrey Vandersay, who claimed a remarkable six-wicket haul, leading Sri Lanka to victory.

Sri Lanka's Resilient Batting Performance

Sri Lanka opted to bat first but found themselves struggling at 136/6. However, a crucial partnership between Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis revived their innings. The duo added 72 vital runs for the seventh wicket, pushing the total to a competitive 240/9. Wellalage contributed 39 runs, while Mendis scored 40, providing a solid foundation for their team.

Indian Bowlers Shine Early

Washington Sundar was the standout bowler for India, taking three wickets for 30 runs. Kuldeep Yadav also delivered an impressive performance with figures of 2 for 33. Despite their efforts, the Indian bowlers couldn't prevent Sri Lanka from reaching a challenging total on a slow and low pitch.

India's Strong Start and Sudden Collapse

India's chase began with promise as captain Rohit Sharma played aggressively, scoring 64 off 44 balls. Alongside Shubman Gill, Rohit added 97 runs for the first wicket, giving India a solid start. However, once Rohit fell to a reverse sweep, the Indian batting lineup crumbled. Vandersay's brilliant spell dismantled India's middle order, leading to a dramatic collapse.

Vandersay's Magic Spell

Jeffrey Vandersay's six-wicket haul was the highlight of the match. He claimed the wickets of key Indian batsmen, including Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. Vandersay finished with figures of 6 for 33, becoming the second leg-spinner to achieve such a feat against India in ODIs. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's victory.

Sri Lanka's Bowling Dominance

Apart from Vandersay, Charith Asalanka also contributed to Sri Lanka's bowling success by dismissing Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in consecutive overs. India struggled against the spinners, losing nine wickets to spin and eventually being bowled out for 208 in 42.2 overs.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka: 240/9 (Mendis 40, Fernando 40, Wellalage 39; Sundar 3-30, Kuldeep 2-33)

India: 208 all out in 42.2 overs (Rohit 64; Vandersay 6-33)

Conclusion

Sri Lanka's victory in the second ODI was a result of their resilient batting and outstanding bowling performance, particularly by Jeffrey Vandersay. The win not only gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series but also ended India's streak of 11 consecutive bilateral ODI series wins against them.