India’s cricket team could not reach the target of 241 runs in the second one-day international (ODI) match against Sri Lanka, losing by 32 runs. Jeffrey Vandersay was the main bowler for Sri Lanka, taking six wickets for only 33 runs, causing India to go from 97 runs without losing a wicket to being all out at 208 runs. This result gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. India will not be able to win the ODI series against Sri Lanka for the first time since 2006, ending an 18-year winning streak.
In the same match, KL Rahul got out without scoring any runs on the second ball he faced while batting at number seven. Vandersay bowled him out, leaving India struggling at 147 runs for 6 wickets in the 24th over. This failure ended Rahul’s streak of 52 ODI innings without being dismissed for a duck. It was his first duck in the 50-over format since July 2, 2019, when he was dismissed without scoring against England during the World Cup.
India currently holds the 12th spot for the longest streak of innings without a duck, with Rahul Dravid leading this list overall. Notably, among current players, this is India’s best streak, as neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli are on the list.
KL Rahul is currently facing a challenging period, having been dropped from the Test and T20I teams, and Rishabh Pant is also waiting for his chance in ODIs. So far, Rahul has scored only 31 runs in two matches, including a duck, in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. He needs to perform well in the final game to secure his spot in the 50-over team.
The third and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka is set for August 7 (Wednesday), and the visitors aim to tie the series. Meanwhile, the hosts hope to win their first ODI series against India since 1997.
