With 6 wickets taken, Jeffrey Vandersay destroyed the Indian batting lineup, and Sri Lanka won by 32 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Following Rohit Sharma’s explosive fifty, things took a turn for the worst for India as Vandersay spun his web and took six wickets, including six of the top seven Indian hitters. With a 64-run blow, Rohit once again laid the groundwork for the chase, but the other batters were unable to capitalize after his dismissal.
To keep India, which going, Axar Patel (44, 44b) displayed astute cricketing skills by joining Washington Sundar for a 38-run seventh-wicket stand. But for India, it was game over after Axar left.
Earlier, in 50 overs, the Indian spinners used their web-spinning to hold Sri Lanka to 240/9. With three wickets under his belt, Washington Sundar emerged as India’s best bowler, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed two. On a difficult surface, Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage contributed a vital 72-run partnership for the 7 wicket to turn around the Lankan innings and assist their team achieve a formidable total.
All of these incidents occurred during Friday’s first ODI and again two days later as Sri Lanka attempted to win this Indian white-ball tour. In the third and final Twenty20 International, they had drawn, but India had won the Super Over. Also, they had tied the opening ODI.
When Sri Lanka finally managed to surpass their previous performance, their hero wasn’t even a member of their starting lineup. Wanindu Hasaranga’s hamstring injuries prevented legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who had made his debut in December 2015 but had only played 22 ODIs prior to this one, from being selected into the squad until the eve of the match. And in only 29 balls, Vandersay eliminated Virat Kohli, Rohit, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, turning 97 for no loss into 147 for 6. Vandersay then tore through the core of India’s batting order.
Read more: https://thelocaljournalist.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-1st-odi-match-ends-with-a-dramatic-tie/
