In a thrilling second ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday, Akila Dananjaya was dramatically run out thanks to the quick thinking of Virat Kohli. India skipper Rohit Sharma missed a direct hit at the stumps, but Kohli, demonstrating his game awareness, was ready to back up and remove the bails at the striker’s end, catching Dananjaya short of his crease as he attempted a second run on an overthrow.
This pivotal moment happened on the last ball of Sri Lanka’s innings, who had opted to bat first after winning the toss at the R Premadasa Stadium. Jeffrey Vandersay had played the ball straight to Rohit at mid-off and ran for a single. Rohit aimed for a direct hit but missed. Kohli, however, quickly reacted, sprinting to the striker’s end to complete the run-out of Dananjaya, who was caught looking for an overthrow.
Sri Lanka was struggling at 136 for 6 at one point, but a late-order recovery led by all-rounders Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40) pushed their total to a respectable 240 for 9. Opener Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) also made notable contributions.
India’s chase began brightly, with openers Rohit Sharma (64) and Shubman Gill (35) putting up a 97-run partnership. However, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay turned the game around with a remarkable six-wicket haul (6 for 33), causing India to lose all 10 wickets for just 111 runs.
Aside from Axar Patel’s run-a-ball 44, the Indian batsmen struggled against Vandersay’s leg-spin, with skipper Charith Asalanka’s off-spin also proving effective, yielding three wickets (3 for 20).
Sri Lanka now leads the three-match series 1-0. India will have a chance to level the series in the final match, set to take place at the same venue on August 7.
