(AP Photo)
Jeffrey Vandersay was drafted into Sri Lanka’s ODI squad just before the second ODI against India, stepping in for Wanindu Hasaranga, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. On Sunday, Vandersay made an immediate impact with a remarkable 6-33, which disrupted India’s run chase and secured a memorable 32-run victory for Sri Lanka.
“There was assistance on the wicket so I was trying to hit the good areas and do the basics right. This is my first game after some time so I had to bowl in good areas. Once I got the first wicket I built up confidence also. I kept hitting the right areas and with God’s grace I was able to get six wickets,” said Vandersay on getting Player of the Match award after the game ended.
Since his debut in December 2015, Vandersay has featured in just 22 ODIs, frequently shuffling in and out of the squad. However, in Sunday’s win for Sri Lanka, Vandersay emerged as the standout performer, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in just 29 balls. His performance, which ranks as the seventh-best figures by a Sri Lankan bowler in ODIs, played a crucial role in giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“There was a lot of pressure coming into the side. I was coming off a layoff. I had to do something. It’s easy to take credit with a spell like this but I want to give credit to the batters also for taking us to such a competitive total. No doubt Wanindu Hasaranga is our No.1 spinner, but I got to understand the atmosphere of the team and selections and team balance. It’s tough, but I have to keep motivating myself,” he added.
Captain Charith Asalanka, who had achieved consecutive three-wicket hauls, expressed his great pleasure at Vandersay’s performance. “I was pretty happy with the score we got on this track. I thought 240 was good enough. Definitely, as a captain, this kind of problem I need to have (in selection post Vandersay performance). It was an unbelievable spell from him (Vandersay). When he came in for bowling, they were scoring over 9. I am still mainly a batsman and after that I bowled a few overs.”
Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous spin-bowling all-rounder who replaced fast-bowler Mohamed Shiraz, led the scoring with 40 runs and formed a crucial 72-run partnership with Dunith Wellalage to rescue Sri Lanka from a difficult position. Mendis praised his team for their strong performance in every facet of the game, which ultimately secured their victory over India.
“I think it was a good match. I think the team did really well in all three departments. The energy in the field, I have to mention it. The skipper did the job and made good decisions. In the middle, I thought 210-215 would be a good score.”
“But end of the innings we got 240 so it was a good innings. I was working hard on my fielding so I think we have to take those half-chances in the games. After the T20Is we got together and we had plans. We executed our plans brilliantly,” he said.
