India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay's Historic Spell Hands Gautam Gambhir His First Loss As ICT Coach

India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay single-handedly did the unthinkable, and Charith Asalanka gave a finishing touch, as Sri Lanka defeated India to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: India's unbeaten run in the ongoing white-ball series comes to an end as Sri Lanka have defeated India by 32 runs in the 2nd ODI, and with that victory, they now take an unassainable 1-0 lead in the series. It was indeed a historic and iconic win for Sri Lanka, as, before the start of the series, no one gave them a chance of upsetting this gigantic team of India, but the hosts, with the help of a 6-wicket haul from Jeffrey Vandersay, have now punched above their weight to script a sensational win.

The Sri Lankan wrist spinner solely changed the complexion of the match, and has now become the fifth Sri Lankan bowler to scalp 6 or more wickets against India in an ODI match.

For his career-best figures and a historic spell, Jeffrey Vandersay was awarded the Man of the Match.

 

India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI — Here's How It Happened

It was a repeat of the first ODI, as Charith Asalanka once again won the coin toss and elected to bat first at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Mohammad Siraj's first ball reminded all the Sri Lankan fans in attendance and at home the ghosts of 2023, as he scalped the wicket of in-form Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball of the match.

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando did well to notch up a brilliant partnership of 74 before Washington Sundar came into the act and got rid of both the set batters. Sri Lanka's misery did not stop there, as they were restricted from 74/1 to 136/6 inside 17 overs, and were looking to settle for a score less than 200.

Dunith Wellalage once again came to the rescue of the hosts against India, as his handy knock of 39 off 35, alongside Kamindu Mendis' 40 off 44 propelled Sri Lanka's total to 240, which was a fightable score on this surface.

In reply, Rohit Sharma's juggernaut and onslaught blew away the Sri Lankan bowlers, as the Indian captain scored a blistering 64 off 44 balls, which included 5 fours and 4 massive sixes.

However, just like it hapened in the 1st ODI, Rohit Sharma's wicket marked the downfall of India's batting and yet another batting collapse took place, with the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer failing to bring in their handy experience and guide the side home.

The highly-inconsistent Shivam Dube continued his dismal run with the bat, as he departed for yet another duck, and India, in no time, were restrcited from 116/1 in 17 overs.... to 147/6 in 23.1 overs. A period of 6 overs saw India lose 5 wickets and score 31 runs.

Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were the last recognised batting pair on the pitch for India, and duo were steadily guiding the visitors towards the target, until skipper Charith Asalanka took the matter into his own hands and scalped the wickets of both Axar and Sundar, and with that Sri Lanka had all but sealed the win, as India, at that moment, needed 51 runs with Mohammad Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav at the crease.

The tail-end of India could not steer the side past the side, as a batting collapse handed Gautam Gambhir his first loss as Indian Cricket Team's (ICT) head coach, and in the process, India brought an end to their unbeaten run in the ongoing white-ball series against Sri Lanka.