Sri Lankan leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay delivered a stellar performance, dismantling India’s star-studded batting lineup with a remarkable six for 33 in the second ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. His efforts helped Sri Lanka secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Vandersay, playing only his 23rd ODI since debuting in 2015, claimed the wickets of key Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. Sri Lanka, having won the toss and opted to bat first, posted a total of 240 for 9 in 50 overs, thanks to crucial lower-order contributions from Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40).
India’s openers made a strong start, with skipper Rohit Sharma racing to 64 off 44 balls and Shubman Gill making a steady 35 off 44 deliveries. However, Vandersay turned the tide in the 13th over by dismissing Rohit, whose switch hit ended in the hands of a diving Pathum Nissanka at backward point.
From that point on, Vandersay dominated the game. Gill top-edged a cover drive to slip, while Kohli and Iyer were both trapped lbw by identical deliveries that angled in. Rahul was bowled, and southpaw Dube was also dismissed lbw. Vandersay’s arsenal includes a variety of deliveries such as the slider, googly, and top-spinner, making him particularly effective on subcontinental pitches that favor spin.
Vandersay’s international career began in 2015 with a T20I home series against Pakistan. Although he has played 14 T20Is, taking seven wickets with an economy of 8.00, his ODI debut came in the same year against New Zealand in Christchurch. He made his lone Test appearance against Australia in 2022.
Vandersay’s impressive performance on Sunday made him only the fifth Sri Lankan bowler, following legends like Muthiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Akila Dananjaya, to achieve a six-wicket haul or better in an ODI against India. His clever use of spin and variations proved lethal against the Indian batsmen, showcasing his potential to be a game-changer in favorable conditions.
