Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat on a pitch that proved challenging for the batsmen, as spinners exploited the conditions to great effect. Despite being reduced to six down for under 150, Sri Lanka recovered well, with Dunith Wellalage providing a crucial contribution lower down the order, scoring at over a run per ball.
Rohit Sharma played a remarkable innings at the start of India's chase, moving them ahead of the required run rate with a swift half-century. However, the team collapsed against Sri Lanka's spinners, losing half their side before reaching 140.
Determined to break their winless streak, Sri Lanka succeeded with a standout performance from Jeffrey Vandersay. Though he was initially a reserve due to Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury, Vandersay made a decisive impact, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in just 29 balls, reducing India from 97 for no loss to 147 for 6.
Despite a late rally from Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, who brought India within 56 runs of their target, Charith Asalanka’s return to the attack sealed Sri Lanka's victory with the removal of both Axar and Washington in successive overs.
Sri Lanka’s 32-run victory was their first ODI win over India since July 2021, ending a seven-match losing streak against them. Vandersay’s 6 for 33 marked him as the fifth Sri Lankan bowler, following Muttiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Akila Dananjaya, to achieve a six-wicket haul in an ODI against India.