Sri Lanka vs India, 1st Test Day 2: Virat Kohli and co in control, hosts 5 down
With a gargantuan total of 600 on board, the Indian bowlers have started well, making early in-roads into the Sri Lanka batting order.
Galle: India continued their good show on Day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Thursday. Starting the day at 399-3, the Indian batsmen added up another 201 runs to finish their total at 600.
Cheteshwar Pujara was the first one to depart as he scored a well played innings of 153. Hardik Pandya later on got to his maiden half century on debut. Ravichandran Ashwin, too showed some fighting efforts, but fell three runs short of a half century as he got out for 47.
After Mohammed Shami got out, a 21 run partnership between Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya helped India reach 600.
Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers after he got his maiden 5-wicket haul, finishing at 6-132
The hosts, in reply, got off to a bad start, as Dimuth Karunaratne departed early, and Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka followed on.
Upul Tharanga and former captain Angelo Mathews had something to celebrate after both of them notched up half centuries. However, Tharanga departed during the course of play. Angelo Mathews will hope to help Sri Lanka reach close to India’s score of 600 when he, along with Dilruwan Perera comes out to bat on Friday. Sri Lanka ended the day on 154-5.
Innings update: Sri Lanka 127-4 from 35 overs
WICKET! India got yet another wicket, after Upul Tharanga was run out for 64. Tharanga and Angelo Mathews were looking to get the hosts back into the game, but Team India got the breakthrough yet again. Niroshan Dickwella came in at number 6.
Innings update: Sri Lanka 121-3 from 33 overs
Sri Lanka continued their innings on a cautious note, after Shami got the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka and Kushal Mendis, both of which were caught by Shikhar Dhawan. Opener Upul Tharanga, meanwhile notched up his 8th Test fifty. Tharanga, along with former captain Angelo Mathews have put up a partnership of over 50 runs.
Innings update: Sri Lanka 68-3 from 15 overs
WICKETS! Mohammed Shami is ripping through the Sri Lankan top order. He has shown great control of line and length to get two wickets in the same over. The outside the off stump line seems to be doing wonders right now. Both Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis edged their deliveries to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.
Innings update: Sri Lanka 38-1 at tea
Sri Lanka went for tea after they finished at 38-1. Early on in the second over, Umesh Yadav struck as he got the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne. Danushka Gunathilaka is currently on the crease along with Upul Tharanga.
Innings update: India 600 all-out
India finished their innings at 600 as they were bowled out right after Hardik Pandya scored his maiden Test fifty on debut.
For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Pradeep was the star with the ball as he scalped his first 5-wicket haul in Tests, finishing at 6-132.
Other batsmen who contributed for India were Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (153). Both of them were looking in good touch, but missed out on a double ton.
India 503-7 at lunch
India closed the first session at 503-7 as Nuwan Pradeep got his first 5-wicket haul in Test cricket. It was a session that belonged to Sri Lanka as Pujara's wicket was followed by Rahane's (57) and Ashwin (47). Debutant Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are the ones who are at the crease.
Innings update: India 451-5 from 105 overs
India continued to score runs even after both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane got out. Lahiru Kumara got the wicket of Rahane, who departed after scoring 57.
Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichhandran Ashwin will look to take India past 500 as the action continues.
Innings update: India 423-4 from 98 overs
India continued to dominate the first Test on day two as Ajinkya Rahane notched up his 11th Test fifty.
However, Cheteshwar Pujara had to walk back after scoring 153. Nuwan Pradeep struck once again as he took his fourth wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin has come in at number 6.
Galle: After Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (144 not out) drained Sri Lanka on Day 1 of the first Test, India will look to add chunk of runs to their overnight score of 399/3 as Ajinkya Rahane and Pujara take the field on Day 2 of the Test here on Thursday.
While Virat Kohli and Abhinav Mukund failed to impress after India elected to bat, Dhawan, who made a comeback to the Test team following an injury to Murali Vijay, made the most of his luck and good form as he smashed the hosts. The southpaw slammed his 5th Test ton as he and Pujara pushed Rangana Herath-led unit on the backfoot.
If the Indian onslaught was not enough, Sri Lanka were also left to deal with Asela Gunaratne’s injury. The Sri Lankan batsman was ruled out of the Test series following an injury to his left thumb while fielding.
While India will look to consolidate their position, Sri Lanka will need a turnaround to stop the Indian juggernaut on Day 2 of the first Test on Thursday.