Sri Lankan spinners with 6-fers or more versus India (ODIs)
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay put up a stellar show against India in the 2nd ODI in Colombo. Vandersay dismissed six batters as the Lankans successfully defended 240 after bowling out the top-ranked ODI side for 208. Vandersay, who came in as injured Wanindu Hasaranga's replacement, scripted many records. Here we look at the SL spinners with six-fers or more versus India in ODIs.
Muttiah Muralitharan - 7/30 in Sharjah, 2000
The 2000 Sharjah ODI between India and SL saw the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan register his best ODI figures. Chasing 295 in the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy match, India were once comfortably placed at 99/2 before the off-spinner created a ruckus. Muralitharan ran through India's middle and lower order to finish with 7/30 in 10 overs. India were folded for just 226 (48.5 overs).
Ajantha Mendis - 6/13 in Karachi, 2008
Former Sri Lankan leg-spinner Ajantha Mendis scripted the first six-wicket haul in Asia Cup history. He demonstrated his prowess against a strong Indian line-up in the 2008 edition and took wickets for fun. MS Dhoni's men surrendered against Mendis and were skittled out for 173 while chasing 274 in Karachi. Mendis returned with 6/13 in eight overs as SL won by 100 runs.
Jeffrey Vandersay - 6/33 in Colombo, 2024
Chasing 241 in the aforementioned Colombo ODI, India were cruising at 97/0 before Vandersay dismantled them. He sent back both openers, Rohit Sharma (64) and Shubman Gill (35), in quick succession. The wrist-spinner then got rid of Shivam Dube (0), Virat Kohli (14), Shreyas Iyer (7), and KL Rahul (0) to trigger India's batting collapse. The 34-year-old finished with 6/33 in 10 overs.
Akila Dananjaya - 6/54 in Colombo, Pallekele
India were comfortably placed at 109/0 while chasing 231 in the 2017 Pallekele ODI. However, the visitors were then dented by a stellar spell from off-spinner Akila Dananjaya. He took six of India's top-eight wickets as the Men in Blue were reduced to 131/7. Nevertheless, MS Dhoni (45*) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (53*) powered India to victory. Meanwhile, Dananjaya finished with 6/54 in 10 overs.
