6/33 by Jeffrey Vandersay destroys India as Sri Lanka claim 32-run victory in 2nd ODI

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s magical six-wicket haul stole the roar of Rohit Sharma’s brutal fifty as Sri Lanka scored a thrilling 32-run victory over India in the second ODI in Colombo on Sunday. Sri Lanka now lead the three-match series 1-0 after the first match ended in a draw. India were asked to chase 241 on a pitch that had plenty of assistance for the spinners, and they finished with 208 in 42.2 overs, with Vandersay destroying them with a six for 33.

A different result appeared as captain Rohit was at the crease, hitting the Lanka bowlers en route to his 64 off 44 balls (5×4, 4×6).

Indifferent to the nature of the pitch, Rohit cut, swept and pulled spinners Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya and pacer Asitha Fernando to all parts of the ground in the company of a compact Shubman Gill (35, 44b) as India waltzed to 97 in just 13.3 overs.

But a fatal reverse sweep off Vandersay by a diving Pathum Nissanka broke Rohit’s stay and also sent the Indian batting unit into a tailspin.

97 for one became 116 for two in 17.1 overs and then turned into an even more complicated 116 for three four balls.

But more shocks were in store for the Indians as they fell to 123 for four, 133 for five and eventually 147 for six.

There were six wickets for 50 runs in 10 overs, and the dance of destruction was performed by one man – Vandersay – who came in as a replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.

Gill moved away from his body for Kamindu Mendis to give a shout at first slip, Shivam Dube (0) failed to break his leg, Virat Kohli (14) didn’t read it wrong and Shreyas Iyer was beaten by a slip.

Dube, Kohli and Shreyas were judged earlier, indicating the indecision in their feet and mind.

KL Rahul lasted just two balls before dragging Vandersay’s delivery, which fell outside the channel, onto his stumps.

Axar Patel (44, 44b) played smart cricket and took 38 runs for the seventh wicket with Washington Sundar to keep India going.

Axar made 14 runs in the first over of Charith Asalanka (6, 4, 4) and later smashed Akila Dananjaya for a six at mid-off.

But even this feeble lifeline was cut short when Axar slapped Asalanka (20/03) and the rest was a mere formality.

Earlier, the Washington-led Indian spinners put the Lankan batsmen to a test of skill, but the hosts found enough fight in their last order to make an acceptable 240 for nine.

Washington (30/3) and Kuldeep Yadav (33/2) were smarter when the home batsmen found things difficult.

It took a 72-run association for the seventh wicket between Wellalage (39) and Kamindu (40) for them to escape a suffocating 136 for six.

However, the first blow was struck by Mohammed Siraj when Nissanka was caught by Rahul behind the wicket.

But a phase of recovery followed as Avishka Fernando (40, 62b, 5×4) and Kusal Mendis (30, 42b, 3×4) used the freshness of the new ball to add 74 for a fairly fluent second wicket stand.

But once the spinners started operating at both ends, the scoring rate slowed down and the Lankans were forced to push the ball for runs.

Fernando leaned forward to put the ball in play, but Washington only had to hold on to the resulting advantage.

Mendis attempted a sweep against Washington, but completely missed and the referee had the simple task of accepting the leg-first shout.

Asalanka showed enough courage to face the tweakers.

But the left-hander couldn’t maintain the intended cut on Washington, which rounded the wicket for the left-handers, as Axar caught it easily inside the circle.

Lanka were then 136 for six, and once again the darning work was left to young Wellalage.

The left-hander faced Axar and Siraj, hitting them for sixes each and had a perfect partner in Kamindu, who was bowled at nine by Kuldeep’s Dube.

Kuldeep’s dismissal of Wellalage did not stop Kamindu from playing some strong shots.

The effort from the Indian bowlers in the last five overs was also less than satisfactory, often scattering the ball as Sri Lanka added 44 precious runs.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)