Vandersay and Asalanka star as Sri Lanka clinch 32-run win, lead series 1-0

(Colombo) - Career-best bowling figures from spin bowler Jeffrey Vandersay and skipper Charith Asalanka’s brilliance with the ball led Sri Lanka to a 32-run victory over India in the second ODI. The win gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Vandersay, making a remarkable return as an injury replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, took the first six Indian wickets, delivering a match-winning performance. 

Asalanka also excelled, claiming three wickets including the crucial dismissal of Axar Patel, who was leading India’s lower-order resistance. Vandersay’s figures are the seventh-best in ODI history for a Sri Lankan bowler.

Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat first, anticipating the pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium would offer increasing help for the spinners as the game progressed. 

Indian bowlers made regular breakthroughs, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Pathum Nissanka on the first ball. Avishka Fernando scored 40 and shared a 74-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who added 30. Washington Sundar’s three wickets, including Fernando and Mendis, kept the innings in check.

Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40) added a crucial 72-run stand for the seventh wicket after Sri Lanka had slipped to 136-6. Akila Dananjaya and Kamindu Mendis secured important runs in the death overs, with both batters run out on the final two deliveries, helping Sri Lanka post 240 runs. Sundar finished with 3-30, supported by Kuldeep Yadav’s two wickets.

In response, Rohit Sharma gave India a strong start, but, similar to the first ODI, India lost wickets after his departure. Sharma hit his 57th ODI half-century before being dismissed by Vandersay. 

Vandersay then removed Shubman Gill (35) and Shivam Dube in the same over, putting India under pressure. He also dismissed Virat Kohli LBW, completed his five-wicket haul by removing Shreyas Iyer in the 22nd over, and later got K.L. Rahul out in his seventh over.

Axar Patel and Washington Sundar tried to mount a comeback but fell short. Asalanka dismissed Patel on the first ball of his third over. Patel contributed 44 runs off 44 balls. Asalanka also claimed the wickets of Sundar and Mohammed Siraj before Kusal Mendis ran out Arshdeep Singh, bowling India out for 208 and sealing the win for Sri Lanka.

Jeffrey Vandersay named Player of the Match said, “I had to do something and understand the team’s atmosphere and balance. I kept motivating myself. There was assistance on the wicket, so I focused on hitting the good areas and doing the basics right. Once I got the first wicket, my confidence built up.”

Indian captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged Sri Lanka's strong performance and India’s shortcomings. “Sri Lanka played really good cricket, and we didn’t play well, which is why we lost. We understand the nature of this surface and how the game can unfold. We’ve played good cricket in the past, but I don’t want to dwell too much on this performance. There will certainly be a discussion about how we bat in the middle overs” he said.

The final ODI will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.

Pix by: Pradeep Dilrukshana