Jeffrey Vandersay joined Sri Lanka’s ODI squad shortly before the second ODI against India. Vandersay replaced Wanindu Hasaranga, who was out with a hamstring injury. He delivered a stunning performance, claiming 6 wickets for 33 runs. Vandersay’s incredible spell disrupted India’s chase and secured a notable 32-run victory for Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
A Remarkable Comeback
Called up just before the game, Vandersay made a spectacular impact. He dismissed key Indian players including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in just 29 balls. Since his debut in December 2015, Vandersay has played in 22 ODIs, often finding himself in and out of the team. However, Sunday’s match highlighted his potential, giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Game-Changing Moment
Named Man of the Match, Vandersay attributed his success to the dismissal of Rohit Sharma. “There was some assistance from the wicket, so I focused on hitting the right areas and sticking to the basics. This was my first game in a while, so I knew I needed to bowl accurately,” Vandersay said after Sri Lanka won the match. The wicket of Rohit Sharma boosted his confidence, allowing him to continue bowling in the right areas and, with some luck, secure six wickets.
Looking Forward
The third and final ODI will be played on Wednesday at the same venue. India had previously won the T20I series 3-0 under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav. Vandersay’s performance in the second ODI has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the series.
