Vandersay's Six-Wicket Haul and Wellalage-Mendis Partnership Propel Sri Lanka to Victory Over India

Jeffrey Vandersay's impressive six-wicket performance and crucial runs from Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis secured Sri Lanka a 32-run victory over India in the second ODI, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This defeat ended India's streak of 11 consecutive bilateral ODI series wins (consisting of two or more matches) against Sri Lanka, dating back to December 1997.

After choosing to bat, Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 136/6. However, a 72-run partnership between Wellalage and Mendis for the seventh wicket helped the team post a competitive 240/9 on a slow, low pitch at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, marking the venue's 150th ODI.

India, having failed to chase 231 in the previous match, faced a similar challenge with an additional 10 runs to pursue on a slower pitch. Rohit Sharma responded aggressively, reaching a 29-ball fifty, his fourth within the first 10 overs of an ODI. Alongside Shubman Gill, Rohit added 97 runs for the first wicket, hitting five fours and four sixes, significantly reducing the target. However, after Rohit's dismissal to a reverse sweep, India collapsed, losing six wickets for 50 runs, all to Vandersay. This marked the first instance of the first six wickets in an ODI falling to a spinner.

Gill and Shivam Dube were dismissed in the same over, with Gill falling to a spectacular one-handed catch by Mendis in the slips and Dube trapped lbw by a leg break. Ten balls later, Virat Kohli was pinned lbw by a flipper, marking the first time he had fallen lbw to a spinner in consecutive innings. Vandersay completed his maiden five-wicket haul by trapping Shreyas Iyer with a googly and later claimed his sixth wicket when KL Rahul chopped onto his stumps, finishing with figures of 6 for 33.

Washington Sundar and Axar Patel attempted to stabilise India's innings with a 38-run partnership, but Charith Asalanka dismissed both in consecutive overs, effectively sealing the match for Sri Lanka. India was bowled out for 208 in 42.2 overs, losing nine wickets to spin.

Earlier, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka to an outswinger from Mohammed Siraj on the first ball of the match. However, Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) added 74 runs for the second wicket, stabilising the innings despite Siraj's threatening opening spell. Washington Sundar broke the partnership, catching a leading edge from Fernando and followed by dismissing Mendis in his next over, leaving Sri Lanka in recovery mode with two new batters at the crease.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka struggled against the Indian spinners and were both dismissed; Samarawickrama mistimed a slog against Axar Patel, and Asalanka was caught off guard by a turning delivery, offering a catch to short third man. Kuldeep Yadav, who was introduced into the attack in the 20th over, bowled economically and was rewarded with Janith Liyanage's wicket in his sixth over.

At 136/6 after 35 overs, Sri Lanka appeared in trouble but found resilience in Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40). The duo frustrated India towards the end, pushing the total past 200, despite Mendis being dropped on 11 by Shivam Dube. Wellalage struck a few boundaries, including a four and a six off Axar Patel in the 44th over and another six off Siraj in the next. He was eventually caught by Dube at short third man, but not before significantly denting India's hopes. Mendis was run out on the penultimate ball of the innings due to a sharp effort from Shreyas Iyer.

In the final overs, Mendis and Akila Dananjaya added crucial boundaries, contributing to the 79 runs scored in the last 10 overs. The seamers conceded 111/1 in their 19 overs, negating the spinners' combined effort of 112/6 in 31 overs. These extra runs ultimately proved costly for the visitors.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 240/9 (Kamindu Mendis 40, Avishka Fernando 40, Dunith Wellalage 39; Washington Sundar 3-30, Kuldeep Yadav 2-33)

India: 208 all out in 42.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 64; Jeffrey Vandersay 6-33)

Sri Lanka won by 32 runs.