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India v/s Sri Lanka, 3rd Test: Hosts declare for 536/7 after 'Delhi Pollution' disturbs play on Day 2

India notched up a huge first innings score in the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi.

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India captain Virat Kohli smashed a career-best 243, his second successive double hundred, before a blanket of smog prompted him to declare on 536 for seven in the third and final test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The home side's attack then turned the screw even further on the visitors when they reduced Sri Lanka to 18-2 by the tea interval on the second day.

At the break, Dilruwan Perera was 12 not out with former skipper Angelo Mathews on four as Sri Lanka, 1-0 down in the series, trailed by a massive 518 runs in the Indian capital.

Behind in the match and struggling in the conditions, several Sri Lankan players returned from the lunch break sporting facemasks as the seasonal haze affecting the region thickened over the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

India v/s Sri Lanka, 3rd Test: Live Scorecard

The smog eventually held up play twice and 22 minutes was lost in total as Lahiru Gamage and his pace colleague Suranga Lakmal both left the field during the second session as they found it difficult to breathe.

Umpires Nigel Llong and Joel Wilson were discussing the air quality with the tourists when Kohli signalled his team in.
Until then, the stadium's near-capacity crowd was treated to some elegant shot-making by Kohli, who hit 25 crisp boundaries in his master class spread over seven-and-half hours.

The 29-year-old became the first international captain to score six double centuries, all of them coming in the last 17 months.

His latest looked a mere formality after India, chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive test series victory, resumed on 371-4.

Kohli's partner in a 135-run fifth-wicket stand, Rohit Sharma, continued the onslaught when he smacked left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan (4-167) over long-off for a six but all eyes were on Kohli as he approached the 200-mark.

The skipper took two runs off Lakmal to bring up his double century, celebrating it by leaping into the air before removing his helmet to acknowledge the applause.

Rohit, at the other end, went quietly about his work, hitting Perera over the spinner's head for a six to bring up his fifth consecutive test fifty.

Just when it looked like Sri Lanka would endure yet another wicketless session, Rohit edged Sandakan to be caught behind for 65.

When India came out to bowl, Mohammad Shami dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne for a duck with the first ball of the innings and Ishant Sharma trapped Dhananjaya de Silva lbw for one to immediately dent the tourists' reply.

Sri Lanka were also denied the services of opener Sadeera Samarawickrama, who suffered a mild concussion on Saturday and was advised by doctors to skip play on Sunday

Earlier, looking to build upon the brilliant display on Day 1, skipper Virat Kohli, who scored his 20th century and completed 5000 runs on Saturday and Rohit Sharma began on a positive note on Sunday. Resuming at 371 for 4, the duo took soon took the score past 400 with Rohit hitting some more fours and a six in the early overs of the day.    

Virat soon joined in the fun and completed his second 200 in as many innings. This is Kohli's sixth double century, all of which have come in the last 17 months. India reached 450 soon after. 

 

After scores of 104 not out and 213 in his previous two innings, Kohli, 29, becomes the first international captain to score six double centuries, all of which have come over the last 17 months.

His latest looked a mere formality after India, chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive test series victory, resumed on 371-4 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium

Kohli's partner in the 135-run stand Rohit smacked left-arm wrist-spinner Sandakan over long-off for a six but all eyes were on Kohli as he approached the 200-mark.

The Delhi player was on 195 when a leg-before appeal against him was turned down. Sri Lanka reviewed the decision but replays confirmed an inside edge.

Kohli took two runs off Suranga Lakmal to bring up his double century, celebrating it by leaping into the air before removing his helmet to acknowledge the applause.

Rohit, at the other end, went quietly about his job, hitting Dilruwan Perera over the spinner's head for a six to bring up his fifth consecutive test fifty.

Just when it looked like Sri Lanka, trailing 0-1 in the series, would endure yet another wicketless session, Rohit edged Sandakan to be caught behind. The batsman chose to review the decision but replays confirmed a bottom edge.

Kohli has batted for six and half hours and remains on course to better his highest score of 235, which came against England last year.

Vijay, Kohli score big on Day 1

Kohli and in-form Murali Vijay smashed big centuries in a massive 283-run stand to deflate Sri Lanka on the opening day on Saturday.

The tourists claimed two wickets in the morning session and two more in the final one but it otherwise was a microcosm of a series dominated by the hosts as India scored at more than four runs an over to reach 371 for four 4 at the close.

Kohli remained not out after a majestic 156, which contained 16 fours and followed his 104 not out in the first test in Kolkata and 213 in Nagpur. The 29-year-old also joined the 5,000-test run club in his 105th innings.

Rohit Sharma was on six at the other end, with the hosts chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive test series win after Kohli won the toss.

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