Twitter Reactions: to Sri Lanka’s stunning victory over India in the 2nd ODI: lower middle order and Vandersay star

Again winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first. Mohammed Siraj produced a brilliantly timed outswinger to dismiss Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck. Pathum Nissanka had done admirably in the first game, scoring a half-century while wickets fell at the other end.

Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis looked quite secure in the middle, and a rejuvenating 74-run partnership for the second wicket emerged. Nevertheless, this stand was broken when Avishka, against the flow of the game, lobbed Washington Sundar a straightforward return catch, which led to a somewhat cheap dismissal. Once he had trapped Kusal Mendis in front, Sundar scored his second wicket of the day in his following over.

The hosts were battling at 136/6 by the 35th over after promising starts from Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and captain Charith Asalanka, all of whom were unable to convert them. Only after the game’s Player of the Match, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga’s replacement, Kamindu Mendis, forged an important 72-run partnership that steadied the ship did the innings emerge from the abyss.

Only one wicket was taken by the pacers combined, including Shivam Dube, who proved to be expensive. Though they lost six wickets, including two from Rohit Sharma, and conceded just 101 runs in their 31 overs combined, the spinners were efficient in their performance.

India scored 76/0, five runs more than they had in the first ODI, as the run-chase got underway more aggressively than it had in the first game thanks to Rohit blasting his way to a 29-ball fifty. Just like in the first game, though, Rohit was unable to maintain his pace and was removed for 64 after Nissanka made an incredible diving catch at point, giving Jeffrey Vandersay—playing his first international match since January—his first wicket of the night. Then, with his bowling, Vandersay went on an absolute marathon, taking five wickets in an ODI for the first time, as well as removing Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.

As it looked as though Axar Patel and Sundar would lead India to an exciting finish to the contest, Asalanka intervened and changed the game radically with his bowling. Following a heroic 44 runs in run-a-ball, Axar was removed with a brilliant return catch, deftly snared by Asalanka. However, Sundar’s battle at the crease came to an end when he was declared leg before wicket.

With the end inevitable, it was only a matter of time until the tail was exposed due to an even reduced flow of runs. In a brilliant bowling effort, Kuldeep and Mohammed Siraj remained in the game, but the latter fell off after a ball held low, giving Asalanka his third.

Also Read: IND vs SL 2024: Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd ODI – Who Said What?

After miscommunicating with Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav was run out to end the innings, giving Sri Lanka a historic and unforgettable victory.

Here’s how X reacted to the game:

SRI LANKA DEFEATED INDIA IN THE SECOND ODI….!!!! 🌟

SL lead the series 1-0. 🏏 pic.twitter.com/oCUI0i5ptT

— Himanshu Ladha (@HimanshuLadha8) August 4, 2024

SRI LANKA BEAT INDIA IN 2ND ODI.🤯 pic.twitter.com/uWwUsIPcL2

— cricket addict’s (@cricket0addicts) August 4, 2024

The match is between India and Jeffrey Vandersay

— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) August 4, 2024

Rohit Sharma in the last 12 ODI innings:

131(84), 86(63), 48(40), 46(40), 87(101), 4(2), 40(24), 61(54), 47(29), 47(31), 58(47), 64 (44).

– THE HITMAN PEAKING AT THE AGE OF 37. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rh2HqOdEBg

— Ahmed Ali🇮🇳 (@AhmedAl62193167) August 4, 2024

The youngster makes a valiant 39 from 35 deliveries.

Wellalage is making his mark.#SLvIND #Dunithwellalage pic.twitter.com/OieP4KPoGT

— Prasanna Rodrigo (@Prasanrod) August 4, 2024

Oldest Indian Spinner to Bowl in ODI:

38yr 329d – Sachin Tendulkar
37yr 351d – S Venkataraghavan
37yr 096d – Rohit Sharma*
37yr 021d – Ravi Ashwin #INDvsSL #SLvsIND #SLvIND #INDvSL #Cricket #ViratKohi #RohitSharma #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/1NwRZxCn4x

— Mr. Cricket (@zoobiiahmad0786) August 4, 2024

Asalanka is a pretty decent bowler

— Steve ✝️ (@steveknowsgame) August 4, 2024

washington sundar got india back into the game. #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/D5W8oaCZAR

— Ahmad Amin Khan (@AhmadAminKhan) August 4, 2024

I have always rated @Sundarwashi5. All he needed, like Sanju Samson does, was a continued run in the team.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 4, 2024