India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI, In a thrilling encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka clinched a 32-run victory over India in the second ODI of the three-match series, taking a 1-0 lead. The star of the match was Jeffrey Vandersay, who single-handedly dismantled the Indian batting lineup with a remarkable six-wicket haul.
After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 240/9 in their 50 overs. The Indian spinners, led by Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, were effective in restricting the hosts. Sundar claimed three crucial wickets, while Kuldeep added two to his tally. However, Sri Lanka managed to recover from a precarious position, thanks to a vital 72-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage. Their efforts ensured that Sri Lanka had a defendable score on the board.
India’s chase started promisingly with skipper Rohit Sharma leading from the front, scoring a brisk 64 off 44 balls. However, after Rohit’s departure, the Indian innings collapsed under the pressure applied by Vandersay. The spinner’s six-wicket haul included crucial dismissals of top-order batters, leaving India struggling to build partnerships. Axar Patel offered some resistance with a 44-run knock, but his efforts were not enough to steer India to victory.
Key Points:
- Sri Lanka Takes 1-0 Lead: With this victory, Sri Lanka leads the three-match series 1-0.
- Vandersay’s Six-Fer: Jeffrey Vandersay’s exceptional bowling performance was the highlight, claiming six wickets and dismantling the Indian batting order.
- Rohit Sharma’s Knock: Rohit Sharma scored a quick 64, but his dismissal triggered a collapse.
- Indian Spinners Shine: Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the bowlers, restricting Sri Lanka to 240/9.
- Sri Lanka’s Resilience: Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage’s crucial partnership helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total.
This defeat will undoubtedly prompt India to reassess their strategies and address the middle-order batting issues as they head into the final match of the series. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on this momentum and secure a rare series win against India.
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