“Jeffrey Vandersay’s 6/33 Dismantles India in Sri Lanka’s 32-Run Victory in 2nd ODI”

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s sensational six-wicket haul halted Rohit Sharma’s aggressive fifty and secured a 32-run victory for Sri Lanka over India in the second ODI in Colombo on Sunday. With this win, Sri Lanka leads the three-match series 1-0, following a tie in the first match. Chasing a target of 241 on a spin-friendly pitch, India were all out for 208 in 42.2 overs, with Vandersay claiming 6 for 33.

Rohit Sharma, in brilliant form, scored 64 off 44 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes) and played a dominant innings until Vandersay’s reverse sweep dismissal ended his stay. Despite a solid start with Shubman Gill (35 off 44 balls), India faltered from 97 for 1 to 147 for 6, with Vandersay’s devastating spell reducing them to 123 for 4, then 133 for 5, and finally 147 for 6.

Vandersay, filling in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, dismissed Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in quick succession. The Indian top order struggled against Vandersay’s varied spin, with several batsmen getting out lbw to his deliveries.

Axar Patel contributed a valuable 44 off 44 balls, forming a 38-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket. However, his dismissal to Charith Asalanka (3 for 20) ended India’s resistance.

Earlier, Sri Lanka, after being put in to bat, managed to score 240 for 9, thanks to a vital 72-run stand for the seventh wicket between Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40). Despite a strong bowling performance by Indian spinners Washington Sundar (3 for 30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 33), Sri Lanka’s lower order, led by Wellalage and Mendis, managed to boost the total.

The Indian bowlers struggled in the final five overs, allowing Sri Lanka to add 44 crucial runs.