(AP Photo)
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s remarkable six-wicket performance overshadowed Rohit Sharma’s explosive fifty, as Sri Lanka secured a thrilling 32-run victory over India in the second ODI on Sunday.
With this win, Sri Lanka now holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, following the tie in the first game.
India was tasked with chasing 241 on a pitch that favored the spinners, but they were dismissed for 208 in 42.2 overs, with Vandersay wreaking havoc by taking six wickets for 33 runs.
As long as captain Rohit Sharma was at the crease, a different outcome seemed possible. He dazzled the Lankan bowlers with a blistering 64 off 44 balls, featuring 5 fours and 4 sixes.
Rohit expertly tackled the pitch conditions, taking on spinners Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya, as well as pacer Asitha Fernando. Alongside a solid Shubman Gill, who scored 35 off 44 balls, India raced to 97 runs in just 13.3 overs.
However, a crucial reverse sweep off Vandersay, which was expertly caught by a diving Pathum Nissanka, ended Rohit Sharma’s innings and sent the Indian batting lineup into a downward spiral.
The score of 97 for one quickly deteriorated to 116 for two in 17.1 overs, and then worsened to 116 for three just four balls later.
The situation continued to deteriorate as India plummeted to 123 for four, then 133 for five, and eventually 147 for six.
In a devastating spell of bowling, Vandersay took six wickets for 50 runs within 10 overs, orchestrating a one-man demolition after coming in as a replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.
Shubman Gill edged a delivery to Kamindu Mendis at first slip, Shivam Dube (0) failed to handle a sharp leg-break, Virat Kohli (14) was undone by a wrong’un, and Shreyas Iyer was beaten by a slider. Dube, Kohli, and Shreyas were all dismissed leg before wicket, highlighting their struggles with timing and technique.
KL Rahul was dismissed for just two balls, dragging a delivery from Vandersay onto his stumps after it pitched outside his reach.
Axar Patel (44 off 44 balls) played a resilient knock, contributing 38 runs for the seventh wicket with Washington Sundar to keep India’s chase alive. Axar scored 14 runs off Charith Asalanka’s first over (6, 4, 4) and later hit Akila Dananjaya for a six over mid-off.
Despite Axar’s efforts, his resistance ended when he offered a catch back to Asalanka (3/20), sealing India’s fate.
Earlier, Indian spinners, led by Washington Sundar, challenged the Sri Lankan batsmen. However, Sri Lanka’s lower order fought back, posting a competitive total of 240 for nine. Washington (3/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) were particularly effective as they made life difficult for the Sri Lankan batters.
A crucial 72-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Wellalage (39) and Kamindu (40) was essential in lifting Sri Lanka from a precarious 136 for six.
The initial breakthrough came from Mohammed Siraj, who had Nissanka caught by Rahul behind the stumps.
Sri Lanka then entered a recovery phase, with Avishka Fernando (40 off 62 balls, 5 fours) and Kusal Mendis (30 off 42 balls, 3 fours) capitalizing on the fresh new ball to build a fluent 74-run stand for the second wicket.
However, once the spinners took control from both ends, the scoring rate slowed significantly, forcing the Sri Lankan batsmen to scramble for runs. Fernando edged a delivery from Washington Sundar that he managed to hold onto.
Mendis, attempting a sweep against Washington, missed entirely, leading to an easy leg before wicket decision for the umpire.
Asalanka demonstrated considerable resilience against the spinners, but he couldn’t control a cut shot off Washington, who bowled around the wicket to left-handers. Axar Patel made an easy catch inside the circle, dismissing Asalanka.
At that point, Sri Lanka was at 136 for six, and once again, the task of rescuing the innings fell to the young Wellalage.
The left-hander took aggressive shots against Axar and Siraj, hitting a six off each. He found solid support in Kamindu, who was dropped on nine by Dube off Kuldeep.
Despite Kuldeep’s dismissal of Wellalage, Kamindu continued to play several powerful shots.
In the final five overs, the Indian bowlers’ performance was subpar, as they struggled with their accuracy, allowing Sri Lanka to score an additional 44 valuable runs.
