SL vs IND, 1st Test : India demolish Sri Lanka by 304 runs, take 1-0 lead in 3 match series
Three wickets each by Ashwin and Jadeja completed a big win for Virat Kohli led side at Galle .
Galle: Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared six wickets among them to help India defeat Sri Lanka by massive 304 runs and take early lead in test match series. The Virat Kohli-led side, put up a fantastic performance and dominated the match right from day one to clinically despatch their opponents .
Rangana Herath and Asela Gunaratne who got injured during the match did not bat in the second innings allowing India to seal their biggest win over Sri Lanka on the run-margin.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up two crucial wickets after the lunch interval on Day 4 of the first Test to get India closer to victory. Jadeja dismissed Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews to push Sri Lanka closer to losing the first test.
India have taken some big strides to win the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday as Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have struck early to dismiss Upul Tharanaga and Danushka Gunathilaka cheaply. Sri Lanka were 2 down for 85 at lunch on Day 4 of the opening Test in Galle. Danushka Gunathilaka was batting on 44 while Kusal Mendis was batting on 24.
Earlier, India declared their second innings at 240/3 on Day 4 of the 1st Test on Saturday, shortly after Virat Kohli brought up his 17th Test ton, to set 550-run target for hosts Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli-led side tightened its grip on the Galle Test.
Skipper Virat Kohli, who was batting on 76 at stumps on Day 3, completed his 17th Test ton as he and Ajinkya Rahane score in rapid pace to pulverise Sri Lanka. The two scored 50 in 7 overs on Day 4 before India declared their innings at 240/3.
Preview:
498-run lead in the bank, seven wickets in hand and India will take the field on Day 4 of the first Test on Saturday to push Sri Lanka out of the game in Galle. After the batsmen slammed 600 runs as India elected to bat, the bowlers came to the party to dismiss Rangana Herath and Co for 291.
India did not enforce the follow-on despite securing 309-run lead in the first innings. The Indian batsmen instead added to Sri Lanka’s misery by smashing 189 runs more at stumps on Day 3, with Abhinav Mukund scoring 81 and skipper Virat Kohli batting unbeaten on 76.