India off-spinner scalps four to fold Sri Lanka out for 205; hosts lose KL Rahul before finishing Day 1 at 11/1
The Indian team got more than they would have settled for after losing the toss on a fine batting strip. Courtesy brilliant bowling by the hosts as they bowled out the struggling Sri Lanka for 205 on the opening day of the second Test at the VCA Stadium here on Friday.
Indian attack was led by comeback pacer Ishant Sharma (3/37) and complemented by the spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin (4/67) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/56).
At stumps, India would have been happier had KL Rahul not played a loose shot against Lahiru Gamage to drag on the ball to his stumps for seven. India’s successful second-wicket pair of Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara got back together at the crease after a gap of four Tests and eight months to take India to 11/1, trailing by 194.
Poor shot selection, combined by India’s disciplined bowling on a pitch that had more for the batsmen, was the main reason for Sri Lanka finding themselves in yet another miserable batting performance despite looking good to see out the day without losing too many wickets.
Ishant, who was replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and was one of the three changes from the team that took the field in the first Test in Kolkata, took a wicket in each of his first, third and fourth spells. He looked brilliant hitting the right length and got the ball to move away from the right-handers, even inducing opener Sadeera Samarawickrama to nick one to first slip early on.
For all the preparation that Sri Lanka have done since the Kolkata Test, including batting on a matting pitch, their show was an abject failure.
Only captain Dinesh Chandimal (57) and opener Dimuth Karunaratne (51) offered resistance and reached half-centuries.
Karunaratne had luck on his side as he survived a chance on 15 when Pujara failed to hold on to a difficult catch above his head at mid-on off Ashwin. The batsman was stumped on 21 but off a No Ball from Jadeja,
The visitors had only themselves to blame for not converting starts into big scores while the rest failed to adapt to the conditions and played for the turn when there was hardly any. They lost wickets to ones that straightened up after hitting the deck.
When there is nothing for the bowlers in the pitch, Ashwin changed angle to round the stump to force the batsmen into making mistakes.
He struck soon dismissing struggling opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who saw out the new ball bowlers by blocking and leaving. In a hasty shot after facing 57 deliveries for only nine runs, the left-handed batsman attempted a sweep but was bowled as the ball held its line.
Karunaratne, who became the second batsman this year to reach 1,000 runs in this calendar year after South African opener Dean Elgar, and Chandimal shared 62 for the fourth wicket. More than the quantum of runs, it was occupying the crease and punishing loose deliveries that they looked to do.
However, Karunaratne was done in by Ishant as he was stuck to his crease and trapped in front. Even the DRS that he took could not save him.
RAHUL DISAPPOINTS AFTER SMG LESSON
India opener KL Rahul will be disappointed with the manner in which he got out on Thursday, dragging pacer Lahiru Gamage onto his stumps. More than Rahul, India’s best opener of all time and one of world’s finest, Sunil Gavaskar will be unhappy with the youngster’s shot selection. or, Gavaskar was seen giving the young Rahul some tips on opening the innings just before start of play here on Friday.
ALL IN A DAY’S PLAY
1st Session
India bowlers tighten the screw
Indian bowlers arrest the run flow with tight bowling and manage to take two wickets. It ought to have taken a third when in the penultimate over before lunch, Ravindra Jadeja has Karunaratne stumped but off a No Ball.
At Lunch: Sri Lanka 47/2 in 27 ov (D Karunaratne 21*, A Mathews 1*)
2nd Session
Chandimal leads from front
Dinesh Chandimal leads from front to ensure smooth sailing for Sri Lanka. SL lose opener Karunaratne and Mathews LBW to Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, respectively, but move steadily courtesy Chandimal and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.
At Tea: Sri Lanka 151/4 in 59 ov (D Chandimal 47*, N Dickwella 18*)
3rd Session
India clean up Lanka for 205
The most productive hour of play for India comes in this session. Lanka lose 4 wickets for 39 runs post tea. Ashwin continues to strike from round the wicket, including trapping well-set Chandimal. India lose opener KL Rahul to a loose shot outside the off stump and plays on.
At Stumps: Sri Lanka 205 all out in 79.1 ov vs India 11/1 in 8 ov (M Vijay 2*, C Pujara 2*)
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