Sri Lanka Secures Memorable 32-Run Victory Over India, Takes Lead in ODI Series

 

Sri Lanka Secures Memorable 32-Run Victory Over India, Takes Lead in ODI Series

Sri Lanka celebrated a remarkable 32-run victory over India in the second ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday, August 4, seizing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Match Highlights

Sri Lanka, having elected to bat first, set a competitive target of 240 runs. Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando were instrumental in the innings, scoring crucial runs to ensure a challenging total.

In response, India’s chase started positively with Rohit Sharma contributing a brisk fifty. However, the Indian innings suffered a dramatic collapse, with the team tumbling from 97/0 to 147/6. This sudden downturn was primarily due to the sensational bowling performance by Jeffrey Vandersay, who claimed six wickets for just 39 runs, dismantling India’s top order and finishing with one of the finest ODI bowling spells in Sri Lankan cricket history.

Key Performers

• Sri Lanka:

  • Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando set up the total with important contributions.
  • Jeffrey Vandersay excelled with the ball, capturing all six wickets in a historic performance.

• India:

  • Rohit Sharma provided a strong start with a quick fifty but could not prevent the collapse.
  • Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were also among the top scorers but could not sustain the momentum.

Historical Context

This win marks Sri Lanka’s first ODI victory over India in 1,108 days and their first bilateral series win against India since August 1997. India remains on the brink of achieving a historic 100th ODI win against Sri Lanka, with the third ODI scheduled for Wednesday.

Team Line-Ups

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando.

The final ODI promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams look to secure a decisive victory.