India’s crushing defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI was on the unexpected lines with the way they started their chase of 240, set by Sri Lanka while batting first. The setback for India in the second ODI has put them at a 0-1 disadvantage in the three-match series after their first encounter ended in a tie. 

India struggled against the exceptional bowling of Sri Lanka’s Jeffrey Vandesay. Jeffrey delivered a remarkable performance, claiming six wickets and orchestrating a dramatic collapse of the Indian batting lineup. His skillful deliveries dismantled India’s batting order, leading to their eventual bowled-out score of 208. 

India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar praised young Jeffrey’s bowling attack and also expressed surprise over India’s defeat. 

"Was it a shock? I would say yes, there is a surprise. But you anticipate and understand that in these conditions the game can turn on its head because there is so much spin on offer,” Nayar said during the post-match press conference. 

India were off to a great start in their chase after skipper Rohit Sharma showed his aggressive intent, hammering Lankan bowlers for towering sixes, but India’s meltdown began after their middi-order batters failed to make perfect use of the promising start. 

"My belief is that in any sport, position only matters if you're playing in different areas of the game. We lost wickets in the middle phase, which means every middle-order batted where he was supposed to. It wasn’t as if middle order batters batted towards the end."

"The thought process was right. Sometimes, when you don’t get the result you kind of question it. But, I believe the thought process has been about having the left-right combination. it doesn't work out, these questions are asked often. But I've always believed that if a middle order batter bats as a middle order batter, it is the right decision."

“And the way Vandersay bowled today, used his finger, and bowled stump to stump - you get these phases when there is assistance from the pitch. I feel today we should give more credit to Sri Lanka."