Twitter Reactions: Lower middle-order, Vandersay star in dazzling Sri Lanka win against India in 2nd ODI

Sri Lanka once again won the toss and chose to bat first. Pathum Nissanka, who had performed admirably in the first game with a half-century while wickets tumbled at the other end, was dismissed for a golden duck courtesy of a superbly crafted outswinger by Mohammed Siraj.

A revitalizing 74-run partnership for the second wicket developed as Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis appeared quite assured in the middle. However, this stand was interrupted when Avishka, against the run of play, lobbed a simple return catch to Washington Sundar, resulting in a rather soft dismissal. Sundar's second of the day came in his next over after trapping Kusal Mendis in front.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, skipper Charith Asalanka, and Janith Liyanage each made promising starts but failed to convert them, leaving the hosts struggling at 136/6 by the 35th over. The innings was only revived from the depths when last game's Player of the Match, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga's replacement, Kamindu Mendis, crafted a crucial 72-run partnership that steadied the ship.

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The pacers, including Shivam Dube, proved costly and collectively managed only one wicket. However, the spinners delivered an economical performance, conceding just 101 runs in their combined 31 overs and taking six wickets, which included a couple of overs from Rohit Sharma.

The run-chase commenced more dynamically than in the first game, with Rohit blazing his way to a 29-ball fifty, propelling India to a score of 76/0 - five runs in addition to their score in the first ODI. However, as in the previous match, Rohit could not sustain his momentum and was dismissed for 64 when Nissanka took a superb diving catch at point, providing Jeffrey Vandersay, playing his first international game since January, with his initial wicket of the evening. Subsequently, Vandersay embarked on an absolute marathon, dismissing Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer with exceptional bowling, culminating in his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs.

Just as it appeared that Axar Patel and Sundar were poised to steer the game to a thrilling conclusion in India's favour, Asalanka intervened, dramatically altering the course of the match with his bowling. Axar was dismissed with a superb return catch, skillfully snaffled by Asalanka, after a valiant run-a-ball 44. Sundar, meanwhile, saw his struggle at the crease come to an end when he was adjudged leg before wicket.

It was all but a matter of time before the tail got exposed as there was an even less flow of runs with the end inevitable. Kuldeep and Mohammed Siraj stuck around but the latter perished after a ball kept low, granting Asalanka his third in a wonderful attack of bowling by him.

The innings concluded with Kuldeep Yadav being run out following a miscommunication with Arshdeep Singh, sealing a memorable and historic victory for Sri Lanka.

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