Vandersay’s spin magic ends Sri Lanka’s ODI drought against India

COLOMBO: On a humid evening at the R Premadasa Stadium, the air was thick with anticipation. It had been three years since Sri Lanka last tasted victory against India in an ODI, and today, they hoped to break that drought. The pitch was a spinner’s paradise, gripping and turning with venomous intent, setting the stage for a dramatic contest.

Sri Lanka, having won the toss, decided to bat first. The decision seemed shaky when they found themselves at 136 for 6, despite a promising start. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis had stitched together a 74-run partnership after Mohammed Siraj’s outswinger had dismissed Pathum Nissanka early on. However, a flurry of wickets saw them teetering on the edge.

Enter Dunith Wellalage. Defying the conditions, he played a gem of an innings, scoring briskly to inject life into Sri Lanka’s faltering effort. He found an able partner in Kamindu Mendis, who scored 40 runs, including a crucial partnership of 72 runs for the seventh wicket. Their efforts saw Sri Lanka post a respectable 240 for 9, a total that seemed challenging on this treacherous pitch.

India’s chase began with a blaze of glory. Rohit Sharma, in sublime form, smashed a half-century off just 29 balls. His aggression put India well ahead of the required run rate, as they raced to 97 without loss. However, cricket’s unpredictability soon reared its head.

Jeffrey Vandersay, a leg-spinner called into the squad as a last-minute replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, turned the game on its head. In a magical spell, he dismissed India’s top order, claiming six wickets for just 33 runs. Rohit, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul all fell victim to his wiles, as India slumped from 97 for 0 to 147 for 6.

India had seen a similar collapse in the first ODI, but this time, there was no recovery. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar tried to steady the ship, putting together a 38-run stand, but Vandersay’s earlier destruction had left India with too much to do. Charith Asalanka, with his part-time off-spin, dealt the final blows, dismissing both Axar and Washington in quick succession.

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Sri Lanka’s spinners were the heroes of the day, with Asalanka’s 3 for 20 complementing Vandersay’s six-for. The visitors were bowled out for 208, handing Sri Lanka a 32-run victory and their first ODI win over India since July 2021.

The jubilation in the Sri Lankan camp was palpable. Vandersay, long in the shadows of other spinners, had seized his moment, continuing a proud tradition of Sri Lankan bowlers delivering match-winning performances against India. His six-for placed him in the company of legends like Muthiah Muralidaran and Ajantha Mendis.

The victory was a testament to Sri Lanka’s strategy of packing their side with spinners. Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous spinner, had contributed with both bat and ball, justifying his inclusion in place of the seamer Mohamed Shiraz. While India’s chase had started with promise, the sheer depth and variety of Sri Lanka’s spin attack proved too much to handle.

As the dust settled, the significance of the victory sank in. Sri Lanka had not only ended a losing streak but had also showcased the potential of their emerging talents. Vandersay’s performance was a beacon of hope, a reminder that perseverance and opportunity could create magic on the cricket field.

The match at R Premadasa Stadium would be remembered not just for the statistics but for the story it told—a story of a team fighting against odds, of an unexpected hero rising to the occasion, and of the timeless allure of cricket, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. Sri Lanka’s win was more than just a number on the scorecard; it was a celebration of resilience, strategy, and the indomitable spirit of the game.