Sri Lankan bowlers did a fantastic job to make a tremendous comeback and beat India by 32 runs. Despite managing to tie the first ODI, Sri Lanka has now taken a 1-0 lead by clinching the second ODI. Chasing a target of 241 runs, Men in Blue hardly managed to score 208 runs and were bowled out in 42.2 overs. The hosts’ wonder-man Jeffrey Vandersay did some real magic with his bowling and scalped 6 wickets to hand his side an important win. The right-arm leg-spinner received the Player of the Match award for his astonishing spell.

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj stunned the home crowd by dismissing Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck in the very first ball of the match. But Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) steadied the Lankan ship, adding 74 runs for the second wicket. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka chipped in with 14 and 25 respectively.

Indian spinners bowled some good spells and managed to take wickets at regular intervals. Although Sri Lanka lost wickets, their lower-order batters kept the scoreboard ticking, scoring runs at a decent strike rate. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis smashed 39 and 40 runs, helping their side to reach 240/9 in 50 overs. For India, Washington Sundar picked up three wickets while Kuldeep Yadav finished with two.

In reply, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India an excellent start, adding 97 runs for the first wicket. Rohit (64) departed after hitting his half-century. Vandersay struck twice in the 18th over to put India on the back foot. Axar Patel scored 44 off 44 deliveries. Apart from these three, no other batter could breach the 15-run mark, and eventually, lost the game.