Jeffrey Vandersay: The X-Factor
The Indian cricket team faltered in the second match of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 4. India lost by 38 runs in response to Sri Lanka’s total of 240.
One man responsible for India’s decimation was Jeffrey Vandersay who took six wickets for Sri Lana conceding just 33 runs as he dismantled India’s batting line-up removing Rohit Sharma, Subhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. All of India’s top batters could not escape the magic spin of Jeffrey Vandersay. He became the first spinner to take the first-six wickets in an ODI.
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Who is Jeffrey Vandersay?
Jeffrey Vandersa, was born in Wattala on 5 February 1990 in a large suburb of Colombo city. He started to bowl spin at a young age. Apart from leg-spin, he could bowl a range of variations including the top-spin, googly and a slider.
Before playing for the Sri Lanka national cricket team, Vandersay featured for several clubs in his home country. He appeared for local teams like Dambulla, Galle and Kandy. He joined Colombo Kings for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League in 2020 and two years later played for Colombo Stars in the tournament.
In March 2021, he was part of the Sinhalese Sports Club team that won the 2020–21 SLC Twenty20 Tournament.
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International Outing
He made his T20 International debut for Sri Lanka on 30 July 2015 against Pakistan. He went wicketless in the match and finished with figures of 25 runs from 4 overs.
His first Twenty20 International wicket came in the form of Corey Anderson in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand at Bay Oval.
The leg-spinner was originally included in the Sri Lanka squad for 2016 T20 World Cup, but was dropped due to poor performances in New Zealand and Pakistan tours. He was re-added to the squad later after Lasith Malinga was ruled out with an injury.
Also Read: Sri Lanka Records: Most runs in test matches for Sri Lanka
Jeffrey Vandersay marked his ODI debut for Sri Lanka on 28 December 2015 against New Zealand where he was severely smashed by Martin Guptill as he ended up conceding 34 runs in two overs.
He got his maiden ODI wicket during the 3rd ODI at Saxton Oval when he removed Tom Latham for 42 runs.
34 –year-old Jeffrey Vandersay has played only one Test match in his career so far which was against Australia in 2022. He took two wickets in 10 overs conceding 68 runs.
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