In the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday, Akila Dananjaya was dramatically run out after Indian captain Rohit Sharma missed the wickets directly but smartly backed up by Virat Kohli at the other end of the pitch to take off the bails when a batsman was short of his ground while attempting a second run from an overthrow.
It was Sri Lanka’s last ball for them to face after electing to bat first having won the toss at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Jeffrey Vandersay hit right into Rohit at mid-off and dashed through for a single. The non-striker’s end had been targeted by him for a direct hit, which landed wide. But with great presence of mind, Virat backed that throw up neatly, ran as fast as he could to where the striker was standing dropped one stump without any hesitation whilst Dananjaya (15) erred looking for an overthrow and, thus, easily got himself stumped by more than six feet.
At some point they were 136/6 but late cameos from allrounder Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40) ensured Sri Lanka reached 240/9.
The outstanding batsmen were opener Avishka Fernando (40), and Kusal Mendis (30).
India made a positive start to their innings with openers Rohit Sharma (64) and Shubman Gill (35) constructing a foundation with their partnership of 97 runs. However, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay turned around the game in favour of hosts capturing six scalps (6/33) whereby India lost all ten wickets for just 111 runs thereafter.
Vandersay’s leg spin bamboozled every Indian batsman except Axar Patel who scored 44 runs off 44 balls; skipper Charith Asalanka’s off spinners meanwhile took 3 wickets (3/20).
Now, Sri Lanka are leading the three match series 1-0 and India can only level it by winning the final game which will be played on August 7 at the same venue.
The first ODI of the series had ended in a tie last Friday.
