India falter with the bat as Sri Lanka edge ahead in second ODI

Team India had another disappointing result that saw Sri Lanka surge ahead in the three-match series with a slender lead. Coming on the back of a tie, India was desperate to secure a win but another collapse in the batting after a phenomenal start from Rohit Sharma saw the Indian batting unit go up in flames as the hosts secured a comprehensive 32-run win.

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and Mohammed Siraj struck on the very first ball, removing Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck. However, Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) managed to steady the ship and make sail for safety. Adding 74 runs for the second wicket, it was Fernando who fell to Washington Sundar. The Indian offie added a second wicket on a second consecutive delivery getting the better of Mendis on the very first ball of his next over.

The breaking of the second partnership saw India pry open the floodgates as they reduced the hosts to a mere 136/6. However, a defiant partnership between Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40) saw Sri Lanka fighting back. By the time the Indian bowlers were done with their allotment of 50 overs, Sri Lanka totted up 240/9. Washington Sundar was the pick of the lot with figures of 3/30.

The two Indian openers had aggressive intentions on their mind as Rohit Sharma (64) and Shubman Gill (35) almost blew apart the Sri Lankan bowling unit. After piling up 97 runs within just 13.2 overs, it was the captain who fell, imparting Jeffrey Vandersay the first of the many to come.

Once Rohit was back to the pavilion, from thereon it was a slide into madness for the Indian contingent as they lost more than half of their side for single-digit scores. Axar Patel’s warring 44 saw India claw their way to 208 but was skittled out by the hosts as Vandersay ran an absolute riot with figures of 6/33 while the captain, Charith Asalanka complemented him decently with numbers of 3/20.