Sri Lankan spinners have consistently proven to be India‘s nemesis in ODI cricket. The island nation has produced some of the greatest spin bowlers in the world, and their mastery over the art has been evident in their clashes against the Indian batting lineup. Most recently, Jeffrey Vandersay‘s exceptional spell of 6 for 33 against India in Colombo has further solidified Sri Lanka‘s reputation as a spin-bowling powerhouse.

On that note, let’s delve into the top five bowling figures by Sri Lankan bowlers against India in ODIs.

Best five bowling performances against India by a Sri Lankan

1. Muttiah Muralidaran: The master spinner

Muttiah Muralidaran, arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest bowler, tops the list with his iconic spell against India in Sharjah. The wizard of spin bamboozled the Indian batting lineup, finishing with incredible figures of 7 for 30 in his ten overs, including a maiden. This performance, on October 27, 2000, remains one of the most memorable spells in ODI history.

2. Ajantha Mendis: The mystery spinner

Ajantha Mendis, another spin wizard from Sri Lanka, produced a magical spell against India in Karachi. His enigmatic bowling style deceived the Indian batters, leading to his career-best figures of 6 for 13 in just eight overs, including a maiden. This mystery equation from the off-breaker, on July 6, 2008, during the Asia Cup final, showcased Mendis’ exceptional talent and remains one of the most lethal bowling displays in ODI cricket.

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3. Angelo Mathews: The all-rounder’s strike

Angelo Mathews, known primarily for his batting prowess, displayed his bowling skills with a devastating spell against India in Colombo. The all-rounder picked up 6-wickets for just 20 runs in his six overs, including two maidens. This remarkable performance, on September 12, 2009, during an ODI, showcased Mathews’ versatility and ability to contribute with both bat and ball.

4. Jeffrey Vandersay: The recent hero

Vandersay etched his name into the history books with a sensational performance against India in Colombo. The leg-spinner claimed six wickets for 33 runs in his ten overs, including a maiden, to help Sri Lanka secure a crucial victory. The heist pulled off by the flamboyant wrist spinner on August 4, 2024, showcased Vandersay’s talent and ability to deliver under pressure.

5. Akila Dananjaya: The game changer

Akila Dananjaya, with his unique bowling action, troubled the Indian batsmen with his spell in Pallekele. The off-spinner picked up six wickets for 54 runs in his ten overs. This spectacle, on August 24, 2017, highlighted Dananjaya’s potential as a match-winner for Sri Lanka.

Notably, these five bowlers have showcased exceptional skills and delivered match-winning performances against India in ODIs. Their contributions have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s victories and have left a lasting impact on the cricketing world.

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