NEW DELHI: Jeffrey Vandersay was called up to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad just before the second ODI against India, as Wanindu Hasaranga was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Vandersay then delivered a spectacular performance, taking 6 wickets for 33 runs, which stifled India's chase and secured a memorable 32-run victory for Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Since making his debut in December 2015, Vandersay has featured in 22 ODIs, often finding himself in and out of the team. However, in Sunday’s match, he emerged as the hero, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in just 29 balls. His efforts earned him the seventh-best figures by a Sri Lankan bowler in ODIs and gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Vandersay, named Man of the Match, attributed his confidence 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.
“Once I took the first wicket (Rohit), my confidence grew. I continued to bowl in the right areas and, with a bit of luck, managed to secure six wickets,” he added after receiving the Player of the Match award.
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.
