| 0.0 : If Sri Lanka made their presence felt in the first Test of the series by competing well, in the second, they were back to their recent just-mere-presence style where it was another abject surrender by their batsmen which set the game up for the hosts. Here we are for the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka played at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Welcome to our coverage and we hope this game would see the tourists turn the table on the hosts. |
| India are going through a very good run in Tests and are having a problem of plenty in more than one department. While Shikhar Dhawan comes into the reckoning after taking time out for personal reasons, a fit-again Mohammed Shami would be eager to find a place in the side, too. Rohit Sharma is breathing down Ajinkya Rahane's neck with a ton to his name in the last outing. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have lost Rangana Herath to a back injury and only time will tell who among Lakshan Sandakan and Jeffre |
| Test cricket would do well with a bit of competitive games. While the Test ranking table shows a huge gap between the two sides, the visitors would love to put up a performance that would reduce the rankings to a farce. There are talks of the light fading away pretty soon in the evenings. It will be notable to see if that affects the proceedings of the match. Will the story change this game? Will Sri Lanka put up a better batting performance? Will India be challenged and pushed to the wall? Let' |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says that the weather is a bit cold and nippy right now but should warm up later. Observes that the track is a bit different than in Kolkata and Nagpur. Sunil Gavaskar agrees and states that the fair covering of grass on the pitch should help seamers initially. The cooler conditions should help the bowlers bowl longer spells, he opines. He goes on to add that the cracks might open up as the match progresses and should help spinners from Days 2 and 3. He reckons that |
| TOSS - Heads is the call from Chandimal... It comes down as TAILS. INDIA WIN THE TOSS AND BAT! |
| VIRAT KOHLI says it looks like a decent wicket to bat on. Opines that the first session will offer something to the bowlers and the Indian batters are up for the challenge. States that they would have liked more grass covering for sure but will take whatever is on offer. They would like to take the challenge of batting first in bowler friendly conditions, he adds. Reckons every game is important and they aren't taking any opposition lightly. Adds further that even in South Africa, it is more abo |
| DINESH CHANDIMAL says that they would have batted first as well although the toss isn't under anybody's control. Aims to restrict the opposition to as minimum as they can. After the previous game, they assessed the need to change their approach in batting. Informs that Rangana Herath, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dasun Shanaka make way for Lakshan Sandakan, debutant Roshen Silva and Dhananjaya de Silva. He adds that the newcomer has scored well in domestic circuit and hopefully will do well in this gam |
| India haven't lost a Test at this venue in the last 30 years. This would keep the hosts in good stead. Are the numbers pointing against the away side even here? Maybe, but a game of cricket isn't won on statistics alone. Meanwhile, the players and the umpires line up for the national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by India's. |
| So... The anthems are done and dusted. Play is set to get underway. Out walk the Indian opening batsmen MURALI VIJAY and SHIKHAR DHAWAN. The former is coming off a wonderful hundred while the latter is back in the side after being out for personal reasons. Sri Lanka hand the new red rounded shiny object to SURANGA LAKMAL. Three slips and a gully to begin with. Let's roll... |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, A little fuller in length, away swing on offer. Vijay defends it solidly. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, The batsman plays a shot and defends it again to the off side. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Vijay opens the face of the bat and guides it to the off side for the first boundary. Good start by Vijay. He looks in control. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, FOUR! Fuller on the pads, Vijay plays it on the leg side for another boundary. India are up and running here in Delhi. Lakmal not bowling the perfect length like he did in the two Test. These are welcome runs at the startof the innings for India. Lakmal should not be wasting the new ball and bowl it in good areas. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, A little towards the leg side. Vijay plays it onto the ground with a straight bat. |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE to bowl from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 1.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Gamage starts off with a loosener. Slips this one down the leg side, Dhawan tries to clip it away but misses. |
| 1.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Back of a length delivery around off, Dhawan hangs back and taps it to covers for a quick single. |
| 1.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! Elegance at its best! That is a shot of a man who believes in his abilities and is oozing confidence. Full length ball on middle, not much nibble in the air. Vijay strides forward and just strokes it past his partner for a delightful boundary. The elegant right-hander held his pose after playing that. |
| 1.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Short of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Vijay lifts his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 1.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Back of a length delivery in the zone of apprehension, moving in a bit. Vijay camps back and defends it stoutly. |
| 1.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Shortish delivery well outside off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, FOUR! Fuller in length again, around off and Dhawan drives it towards cover region for his first boundary. Glorious looking shot by Dhawan, he held his pose and the ball raced to the fence. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Nipping back to the batsman, comes in from off to middle, he tries to play it but misses. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Back of a length ball by Lakmal. On the off side and Dhawan plays it on the back foot. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Good length ball around off, Dhawan doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 3.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Full length delivery around off, shaping away. Vijay plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 3.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Vijay doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 3.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Back of a length delivery outside off, shaping in. Vijay makes use of the depth of the crease and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 3.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Gamage goes fuller this time, allowing the ball to swing away a bit. Vijay prods forward and eases it to mid off. Fullish lengths should be the order of the morning. Need to make use of the new ball and the helpful conditions. |
| 3.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Gamage steams in and bangs a short delivery but the direction is wayward. Vijay moves inside the line and lets it go safely. |
| 3.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Well bowled! A yorker around off, Murali is alert to it and jams it out in time. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Length ball by Lakmal, outside off, gets a little inswing and Dhawan leaves it alone. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Length ball again by Lakmal, around off, inviting Dhawan to drive but Dhawan doesn't fall prey to it. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Similar ball by the bowler. Dhawan leaves it and allows the keeper to do the rest. |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Back of length this time from Lakmal. Dhawan quickly on his back foot at pushes it to covers. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Length ball, on middle and leg stump, Dhawan plays it to the mid on region and runs for a quick single. |
| 5.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, On a length on off, not much space for Dhawan to work with. He stays inside the crease and punches it to covers. |
| 5.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Fuller in length, slanting away from the southpaw enticing him for an ambitious drive. However, Dhawan resists the urge and makes a watchful leave. This is the kind of line and length Gamage should be aiming to bowl on a consistent basis. |
| 5.3 : L Gamage to Dhawan, FOUR! Exquisite! Harsha Bhogle on-air mentions that there is something about a batsman when he plays a shot and doesn't move after that. Full length delivery outside off, Dhawan leans into it and punches it through covers for a boundary. Timing and grace written all over that one. |
| 5.4 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Nicely bowled! Good length delivery, swinging in. Dhawan stays back and blocks it off the inner half of the bat down the track. |
| Deep square leg in place now. Time for the bouncer may be. |
| 5.5 : L Gamage to Dhawan, On a length, very wide outside off. Shikhar doesn't flirt with it. |
| 5.6 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Straying on the pads, Dhawan tucks it around the corner for a run and will retain strike. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Good length ball outside the off stump and Dhawan leaves it alone. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Fuller length on the pads and Dhawan tries to flick it but misses. They seek a single here |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to M Vijay, FOUR! Good length ball outside off. Vijay plays it with a soft bottom hand and it goes between third slip and gully region for a boundary. Intentionally done by Vijay. Playing positive cricket and getting quick runs. |
| Third slip moves a little wider. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Vijay defends this one from the back foot. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Length ball around off, he strides forward and defends. |
| Spin has been introduced early. Dilruwan Perera to roll his arm over now. He is just one shy of 100 Test wickets. Let's see what kind of purchase he gets from this surface. A slip and a short leg in place. The crowd is making a lot of buzz at the moment. |
| 7.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, A fraction short in length, going on with the arm. Dhawan sits back inside the crease and clips it to deep square leg to rotate strike. |
| 7.2 : D Perera to Vijay, There are a lot of times when direct hits create a lot of trouble for the batsman but this time no such situation arises. Drifting towards the pads, Vijay whips it to backward square leg and his partner calls him through for a run. Dhawan is running to the danger end and makes it home safely. |
| 7.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Easy pickings! Short delivery outside off, spinning away. Dhawan eyes light up. He rocks back and cracks it through cover-point to pick up another boundary. |
| 7.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Perera continues to be short. Dhawan places it to covers for an easy run. |
| 7.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Spinning in to Vijay who allows it to come to him and works it to backward square leg. |
| 7.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Slow turn on offer, coming in from outside off. Vijay stays compact in his defence and plays it towards short leg. 7 from Perera's first over. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, A little back of a length by Lakmal. Dhawan offers no shot to it. |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Length ball again outside off, Dhawan shoulders arms to it. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Length ball outside off, the batsman lets that go to the keeper. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Fuller by length on the off stump, and Dhawan drives this towards cover region for a good looking shot. They pick up a quick single here. |
| Matthew Hayden and Murali Karthik on air discuss about Dhawan's improvement as a batsman. They feel that he plays with a lot of authority these days and has a knack of converting his starts into big ones. |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 9.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Deft! Dhawan is looking ominous at the moment. Perera comes from around the wicket and bowls an arm ball outside off. Dhawan camps back, watches it closely and guides it past the keeper for a boundary. |
| 9.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Another slider, this time in line of the stumps. Shikhar blocks it down the track. |
| 9.3 : D Perera to S Dhawan, Full on middle, Dhawan wrists it to mid on for a swift run. |
| 9.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Spinning towards the pads, Vijay tucks it to backward square leg for a run. |
| 9.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Slower in pace, a bit of extra bounce there. Dhawan eases it to covers. |
| 9.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, OUT! 100th Test wicket for Perera! He becomes the third Sri Lankan spinner after Muralitharan and Herath to achieve this feat! Dhawan throws his wicket away after a promising start. That was a loose shot early in the innings and he pays the price for it. Coming back to the ball, it is slow through the air, drifting in towards the leg stump. Dhawan kneels and goes for the sweep but ends up top edging it. There is a lot of haze around as the ball skies towards Lakmal to d |
| Cheteshwar Pujara strides out to bat. He has recently moved to No. 2 in the ICC Test batting rankings. Will he score back-to-back centuries? |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Fuller by length by the bowler, on middle stump and Vijay defends it firmly onto the ground. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Teasing ball around off side and Vijay tries offering a shot to that and missses it. Good ball by Lakmal, perfect length and just what his captain would want from him. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Bouncer from Lakmal. Vijay ducks and lets the keeper collect it. |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to C Pujara, 1 run. |
| 11.1 : D Perera to Vijay, FOUR! What a shot! Tossed up delivery on off, Vijay strides forward and drills it past the diving mid on fielder and the ball races to the fence. |
| 11.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Floated around off, driven firmly off the front foot to mid off. |
| 11.3 : D Perera to Vijay, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Shorter in length, Vijay stays back and smothers the turn nicely. |
| 11.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Spinning into Vijay who hangs back and tucks it through square leg for a run. |
| 11.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Tossed up delivery, defended with the spin to short leg. |
| 12.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Vijay opens the face of the bat at plays it through the cover area for a single. |
| 12.2 : S Lakmal to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 12.3 : S Lakmal to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. |
| 12.4 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Back off a length ball by Lakmal, Pujara tucks it to square leg area and looses his balance, that didn't stop the run though. They pick up a single. |
| 12.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Fuller length ball, on middle and leg stump, Vijay pushes it to mid-wicket and goes to the other end. |
| Time for Drinks. India will be happy with the way things are going so on far. Going at a lengthy run rate. They have lost the wicket of Dhawan but other than that they look solid. Vijay not wasting time to get his runs and is looking good for a big score. Sri Lanka on the other hand have not really been disciplined in their bowling. Lakmal not at his best. |
| 13.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Shoter in length around off, spinning in slowly. Vijay tucks it nicely to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 13.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Slow through the air outside off, Pujara shimmies down the track and with a high backlift strokes it to mid on. |
| 13.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Fullish in length on middle, clipped neatly with the spin to short mid-wicket. |
| 13.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Similar delivery, similar shot, similar result. |
| 13.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Flighted delivery around off, Pujara uses his feet and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Good shot and good fielding as well! Shorter in length outside off, Pujara rocks back and cuts it through cover-point. Sandakan hares after it and makes a spirited save near the ropes. Saves a run for his side. |
| Lahiru Gamage returns for a bowl. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 14.1 : L Gamage to Pujara, Length delivery around off, Cheteshwar doesn't fiddle with it. Gamage's towel dropped while he delivered that but the umpire doesn't call it a dead ball this time. |
| 14.2 : L Gamage to Pujara, Wide outside off, Pujara is not bothered to play at that one. |
| 14.3 : L Gamage to Pujara, A rush of blood from Pujara! It is rare to see him play that way. He is usually cool as a cucumber. Short and width on offer, Pujara slashes at it but the ball goes under his bat and sails into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 14.4 : L Gamage to Pujara, Full length delivery in the zone outside off, Pujara makes a watchful leave. |
| 14.5 : L Gamage to Pujara, Back of a length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 14.6 : L Gamage to Pujara, Similar delivery outside off, Cheteshwar remains circumspect in approach. |
| 15.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Full delivery around off, knocked down to long on for a run. |
| 15.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Great work from the debutant! Tossed up delivery, Pujara whips it towards short mid-wicket where Silva dives to his left to save certain runs for his side. |
| 15.3 : D Perera to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 15.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Slow through the air around off, Pujara strides ahead and buries it into the ground. |
| 15.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Sharp turn for Perera! On a shorter length outside off, spins in substantially. Pujara hangs back and has it covered. Looks to cut it but gets a bottom edge besides the pitch on the off side. |
| 15.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated on off, Pujara clips it nicely through mid-wicket for a run and will retain strike. |
| 16.1 : L Gamage to Pujara, Length ball by Gamage, around off stump and Pujara shoulders arms to it. |
| 16.2 : L Gamage to Pujara, Wide outside off, Pujara leaves it alone. |
| Leg gully in place. |
| 16.3 : L Gamage to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 16.4 : L Gamage to Pujara, Back of a length ball by Gamage, Pujara jumps and defends it onto the ground. |
| 16.5 : L Gamage to Pujara, Length ball around off, the batsman plays it to mid-wicket for no run. |
| 16.6 : L Gamage to Pujara, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| There is a bowling comparison being made between Perera and Muralitharan. Perera does better in terms of strike rate and he has got 100 Test wicket in his 25th Test match while Murali had taken 95 wickets. He is also the fastest Sri Lankan to take 100 Test wickets. |
| 17.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Stays back to this one and keeps it out. |
| 17.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Tossed up delivery, Vijay prods forward in defense. |
| 17.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Slow through the air, Vijay punches it to long on to rotate strike. |
| 17.4 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Shot! Shorter in length, turning in. Pujara makes good use of the depth of the crease and turns it through backward square leg to pick up a boundary. |
| 17.5 : Perera to Pujara, A strong appeal for an LBW is turned down! Tossed up delivery and a bit shorter in length outside off, spinning in. Pujara lunges forward to defend but misses to get pinged on the pads. The Sri Lankans shout for it but the umpire stays put. The visitors decide not to take the review. The Hawk Eye shows that it would have missed the leg stump, so a wise call. |
| Defensive field setting from the Sri Lankans. Not the ideal thing to do. Vijay and Pujara are using their feet and that has prompted Chandimal to keep a long on in place. You don't send the right message to your bowler when you do that. And that too, with Perera bowling, who is the go-to-man in the absence of Herath. |
| 17.6 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short and spinning down, Pujara tucks it past square leg who sprints after it but fails to keep the ball in play. |
| 18.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length ball, around off, Pujara tries to drive it but gets an inside edge. It goes to wide fine leg and they pick up a single. Sri Lanka would want some of these to go on to the stumps. |
| 18.2 : L Gamage to Pujara, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| 18.3 : L Gamage to Pujara, Looks like Gamage has some plan for Pujara, he his keeping him on his toes. Another short ball, Pujara does well to evade it. |
| 18.4 : L Gamage to Pujara, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 18.5 : L Gamage to Pujara, FOUR! Pujara won't miss out on these balls. He picks up the length quickly and drives it beautifully to mid off region for a boundary. After continuous short balls he gets a fuller ball and plays it beautifully. Classical Pujara. |
| The umpires Joel Wilson and Nigel Llong are seen wearing black armbands. This is because Russel Evans, an English umpire in the first class circuit, passed away on the 30th of November, 2017. |
| 18.6 : L Gamage to Pujara, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| Lakshan Sandakan to bowl now. The wrist spinner has a lot of ability. Can he deliver on his comeback? |
| 19.1 : L Sandakan to Pujara, Floated on leg stump, Pujara plays it with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 19.2 : L Sandakan to Pujara, FOUR! Rank long hop and it has been hit away with disdain! Around off stump, Pujara rocks back and flat-bats it through the mid off region for a rocketing boundary. The Sri Lankan spinners need to bowl on much fuller lengths to make it challenging for the batsmen. |
| 19.3 : L Sandakan to Pujara, No ball! Slider in line of the stumps, whipped with the spin to deep mid-wicket for a run. Sandakan has overstepped, it is a crime for a spinner to do so. |
| L Sandakan to Vijay, Spinning down the leg side, Vijay tries to glance it but fails to do so. Dickwella moves to his left but fails to collect it properly. |
| 19.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The wrong one this time, Vijay reads it well and stonewalls it. |
| 19.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Slow through the air around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 19.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Floated delivery on off, eased sweetly off the front foot to mid off. |
| 20.1 : L Gamage to Pujara, Fuller in length this time, on middle and leg, and he plays it on the square leg for no run. |
| 20.2 : L Gamage to Pujara, OUT! Pujara has fallen to a well-planned Sri Lankan move. Gamage bowls to his field. Length ball on the pads, Pujara tries to flick it away. He couldn't keep the ball down and hits it staright to the fielder at leg gully. A sharp catch by Samarawickrama there, ends Pujara's stay at the crease. |
| VIRAT KOHLI comes in to bat next. He is out there on the back of a well made double hundred. |
| 20.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, No run. |
| 20.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, No run. |
| 20.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR. |
| 20.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, No run. |
| 21.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Floated on off, Vijay is on the move as he clips it towards short mid-wicket. Silva is sharp as a hawk there as he dives to his left and makes a clean stop. |
| 21.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay hangs back and flicks it with the spin past short leg. The ball is racing away towards the fence but the deep mid-wicket fielder does well to hare to his right and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 21.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, In line of the stumps, patted back to the bowler. |
| 21.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Too short once again, Sandakan and Perera have been guilty of bowling too many of those. Ample time for Vijay to rock back and cut it to sweeper cover for a brace. |
| 21.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Low full toss on middle, flicked straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 21.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, That kept a bit low. The wicket is playing tricks on odd occasions. Shortish on leg stump, Vijay whips it uppishly to deep square leg for a single. |
| 22.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! That came right out of the textbook! For all the kids watching, this is how you should play a cover drive. Length delivery around off, holding its line. Vijay takes a confident strides forward and just pushes it. Such is the timing that there is no chance for any fielder whatsoever and away she whistles to the boundary. |
| 22.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Ouch.. that must have hurt! Fullish delivery outside off, Vijay shuffles and looks to clip it but gets an inside edge onto his box area. The Lankans put in a chirpy appeal but to no avail. That blow is going to sting. |
| 22.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 22.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Short delivery, but it is not a well-directed one. It is well outside off which allows Vijay to drops his wrists. |
| 22.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! Vijay is focusing on timing and he is getting the desired results. He has already produced a colourful array of strokes. Fullish in length and angling into Murali. He clips it beautifully through mid-wicket for a glorious boundary. |
| 22.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length ball, shaping in. Defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 23.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Full in length on off, Kohli drills it down to long on for a run. |
| 23.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Shortish this time on leg stump, stays low again. Vijay is surprised a bit and works it off the bottom half of the bat through square leg. A run taken. |
| 23.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Prods forward to this one and turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 23.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Short once again but it is spinning in sharply. Vijay does well to tuck it past mid-wicket for a single. |
| 23.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, FOUR! Bowl to Kohli's strengths and he will keep milking you all day long. Full length delivery on middle, angling in. The Indian skipper brings those wrists into play and clips it with a lot of command. Gets it past short mid-wicket and the ball reaches the fence in a jiffy. |
| 23.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Spinning into Kohli who turns it to backward square leg for a run. 9 from the over, India keep on scoring runs with ease. |
| Suranga Lakmal back for another spell. |
| 24.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Good length ball around off and Virat shoulders arms to it. |
| 24.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 24.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 24.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, A little fuller around off, Kohli tries to flick it to leg side but the ball hits the outer half of the bat and goes to the cover region for a dot ball. |
| 24.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Length ball from the bowler, Around off stump and this one nips back of the pitch. Kohli leaves it and allows the keeper to do the rest. |
| 24.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Half hearted appeal from Sri Lanka. A little fuller from Lakmal and it hits the leg of Kohli. Inside edge onto the pads. No damage done. |
| 25.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Tossed up delivery but down the leg side, Vijay goes for the sweep but misses. |
| 25.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, That's a really good delivery! Sandakan slips in the wrong one outside off. Vijay shapes for the drive but doesn't pick up the variation and as a result, is beaten. |
| 25.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 25.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Slower in length and more revolutions on that one, Kohli puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 25.5 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, FOUR! How easy to the eye was that shot from the Indian skipper, in complete control. Fullish in length around off, Kohli clears his front leg and drives it elegantly through covers to find the fence. |
| 25.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Drifting away from Kohli. He strides forward and places it with an open bat face to cover-point for a run. |
| 26.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Outside off, Kohli taps it in front of cover-point for a quick single. The fielder from cover picks up the ball and hurls a wild throw at the stumps. Good running by the batsman. |
| 26.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, FOUR overthrows! 16th Test fifty for Vijay. What a way to get to the landmark! Length delivery by Lakmal and Vijay opens the face of the bat and plays it towards the cover-point region for a quick single. Debutant Roshen Silva moves to his right to pick up the ball and has a shy at the stumps. It hits the bull's eye at the non-striker's end but Vijay is safe. The ball ricochets off the stumps and races away to the long on boundary. 5 runs off that delivery. |
| 26.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 26.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 26.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Kohli lifts his bat skyward and lets the ball go through. |
| 26.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Outside off stump, Kohli shoulders arms to that one. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| Session highlights - 27 overs, 116 runs, two wickets. It has been India's morning and they continue to march on in this series. Chilly conditions and a tinge of green on the surface set up a good prospect for watching some exciting seam bowling on display but the two Indian openers, Vijay and Dhawan started off in a positive manner. They didn't let Lakmal and Gamage settle down, scoring at every possible opportunity and that prompted Chandimal to bring in Perera early into the attack. |
| Dhawan was in the mood to play attacking cricket and that resulted in his downfall. He fell attempting a sweep shot which has become his weak link and gifted his wicket to Perera, who reached the landmark of 100 Test wickets, being the quickest to do so. Pujara departed in quick succession and it was a rare failure for him. Got to give credit to Chandimal for keeping a leg gully in place. |
| Perera and Sandakan have been bowling short on most occasions. That has allowed Vijay and Kohli to score freely. The former has scored an eye-catching fifty and is looking ominous. The odd ball is keeping low and there is also some turn on offer. The visitors' spinners ought to utilize that. The duo will be aiming to play in the same manner and on the other hand, Sri Lanka need to keep chipping away at the wickets. If the tourists don't do so, the No.1 ranked side in the world will run away with |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ... |
| Here we are after the Lunch break. India have begun well in spite of a couple of setbacks. As the saying goes, well begun is half done. The Vijay-Kohli combo has got going with a fluent 38-run stand off just 40 deliveries. Sri Lanka will have to break this stand before it gets out of hands. Out come their players followed by the Indian batsmen. DILRUWAN PERERA it will be, who will start the proceedings with the ball. A slip and a bat-pad catcher in place. |
| 27.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Floated around off, Vijay smashes it straight back to the bowler. He stops it in his followthrough even as the umpire is seen taking evasive action. |
| 27.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Flatter around off, Vijay goes back and pushes it towards point. |
| 27.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Landed around off, Vijay gets forward and blocks. |
| 27.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Loopy delivery around off and middle, turned away to mid-wicket. |
| 27.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay goes back and punches it down to long on for one. |
| 27.6 : D Perera to Kohli, Flatter on the stumps, turned to short leg. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL will steam in from the other end. Strangely, he has looked off-color after the first Test. |
| 28.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, FOUR! Not a good way to start for Lakmal. Vijay is as pristine as ever with his timing. Lakmal spears it straight on a length around off and middle, Vijay gets his stride forward and times the flick through mid-wicket. The mid on fielder ran after the ball, only to retrieve it back from the fence. Wonderful leg position and head position from the opener. |
| 28.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Length outside off, shouldered arms to by Vijay. |
| 28.3 : S Lakmal to M Vijay, Excellent running now. Vijay pushes it towards mid on with soft hands and scurries to the other end for a run. |
| 28.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Well done, Samarawickrama! It is on a length outside off, Kohli leans forward and opens the face of the bat to guide it past gully. The ball rushes towards the third man fence. Sadeera chases it down, slides and makes sure that the ball is in play. A couple of runs is all that Kohli gets. |
| 28.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, This ball is kept out from within the crease. |
| 28.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 29.1 : D Perera to Vijay, On the pads, flicked away to backward square leg. |
| 29.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Loopy around off and middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 29.3 : D Perera to M Vijay, Driven towards the mid-on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 29.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli crosses over to the other end by driving it through mid on. |
| 29.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Landed on a fuller length around off, driven back straight to the bowler. |
| 29.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Ohh Sadeera! Gets hit yet again at short leg. After taking a blow on the ribs in the previous game, now he wears one on the helmet grille. Vijay goes back and clips it to the leg side, only to find the protective gear of Samarawickrama. |
| 30.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! 50-run stand between Vijay and Kohli! This has come in quick time. These two have combined well after India had lost a couple of wickets before even putting 100 on board. Lakmal bowls it on a length outside off, Kohli hangs back and slaps it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 30.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, This ball is driven towards mid on. |
| The physio is on the field. Samarawickrama is seen holding his forehead and this doesn't look good. After a bit of a mini conference, he is seen walking off the field. Hope this isn't too serious. |
| 30.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! 5000 Test runs for the Indian skipper, 4th fastest Indian to the mark. He is unstoppable when he is in such good a flow that he is right now. An overpitched delivery outside off, Kohli leans ahead and drives it through covers. Bisects the gap between the cover fielder and the mid off fielder to get a boundary. |
| 30.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. |
| 30.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Virat defends this from within the crease. |
| 30.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Short ball around off and middle, pulled away towards fine leg for a run. |
| Roshan Silva is preparing to get to the short leg position. He is seen putting on his shin guard and a guard to protect his ribs as well. In spite of all of these, there might be a fear lingering in his mind after seeing his teammate take a few blows on his body. |
| 31.1 : D Perera to Kohli, No run. |
| 31.2 : D Perera to Kohli, This ball is played towards short leg. |
| 31.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli lunges forward and blocks this one. |
| 31.4 : D Perera to V Kohli, FOUR! Wrists all the way! How does he manage to look so good with those flicks! Perera loops it up around off and middle, Kohli lunges ahead and uses his wrists to play it through mid on for a boundary. The Indian skipper is in the ODI mode already. |
| 31.5 : D Perera to Kohli, Driven towards mid on by Kohli. |
| 31.6 : D Perera to Kohli, On the pads, flicked away towards square leg. |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE is brought into the attack. The wicket-takers are on now from both the ends now. |
| 32.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Outside off, left alone. |
| 32.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length delivery outside off, Vijay gets it off the inner half towards mid off. The short cover fielder gets to his right to stop that. |
| 32.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Another one! MV strides and looks to drive it to the off side, but gets it off the inner half towards the bowler. |
| 32.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, On the stumps, blocked with by getting forward. |
| 32.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Yet again Vijay looks to play it off the front foot but ends up pushing it towards mid on off the inner half. Not sure why at this stage in his innings this is happening to him. |
| 32.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, This time Vijay is sensible enough to let this length ball outside off go through to the keeper. |
| 33.1 : D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Kohli just feasts on spinners and here is another proof of that. Perera loops it around off, Kohli gets low and plays the inside out drive through covers. Once he times that well, there's no stopping that. |
| 33.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Punched back off the back foot. |
| 33.3 : D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Another one in the over! This one is dangerously cheeky though. Flatter outside off, Kohli goes back and looks to guide it past slip. Ends up getting it just past Mathews at slip who fails to get a hand to it. The desired result is achieved by Kohli who moves to 41 off just 42 deliveries. |
| 33.4 : D Perera to V Kohli, Kohli hits it towards long on for a single. |
| 33.5 : D Perera to Vijay, The batsman has driven it through mid off. |
| 33.6 : D Perera to M Vijay, Slower through the air outside off, Vijay lunges forward in defense. The ball takes the inside edge before hitting the front pad. |
| 34.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Fuller around off, driven to mid off. |
| 34.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Outside off, shouldered arms to by Virat. |
| 34.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, Length ball around off, Kohli stands tall and blocks it. |
| 34.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, This one is too wide to make VK play. |
| 34.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, Lovely shot for a dot ball. Fuller outside off, Kohli plays the cover drive but finds the fielder stationed in that region. |
| 34.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, Length ball outside off, Kohli walks down the track and blocks it down. |
| 35.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Flatter around middle and leg, MV goes back and hits it towards backward square leg. |
| 35.2 : D Perera to Vijay, On the stumps, Vijay pushes it back. Perera gets to his right and stops that. |
| 35.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay pushes this towards mid off. |
| 35.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay works this past short leg for a single. |
| 35.5 : D Perera to Kohli, Easy singles on offer, which the Indians won't miss out on. Kohli lunges forward, plays it in front of cover-point and ambles to the other end for a run. |
| 35.6 : D Perera to M Vijay, Flatter around off, Vijay goes back to open the face of his bat past slip. Gets a brace after doing so. |
| 36.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! I think we need to put off all the superlatives away, because we might be guilty of overusing them, says Harsha Bhogle on air. Pretty much sums up the way Virat Kohli is playing. We have seen him play such strokes in white-ball cricket and here he is doing so in the red-ball game. Gamage bowls it full outside off, Kohli leans into the shot and drives it through covers for a boundary that takes him to 47. |
| 36.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Over-correction from Gamage results in another boundary that brings up Kohli's 15th Test fifty off just 52 balls. On the previous occasion there was width. Here the bowler angles it on a length on the pads. Easy peesy for the Indian skipper who whips it through fine leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and dives but is unable to prevent the Indian no.4 from getting to his landmark. |
| 36.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, Good judgement shown by Kohli this time as he shoulders arms to this delivery outside off. |
| 36.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 36.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Often the movement and the body language of the players show how good and at ease a batter has looked. Banged on a shorter length around off, Kohli pulls it with disdain through wide mid on. The player at mid on didn't bother moving or, well, he didn't stand a chance of doing so. |
| 36.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, Virat works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 13 runs off that over. |
| 37.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli eases this to long on for a single. |
| 37.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay strides forward and burries this delivery onto the ground. |
| 37.3 : D Perera to M Vijay, Driven through mid on by the batsman. |
| 37.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay crosses over to the other end by driving it through mid off. |
| 37.5 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 37.6 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli lunges forward and blocks it solidly. |
| 38.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Gamage bends his back and bowls it short around off. Vijay sways away from the line to let the keeper collect that. |
| 38.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Another bouncer in line of the stumps, MV ducks and lets it go. |
| 38.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Vijay whips it off his pads and crosses over to the other end. |
| 38.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, Kohli picks up a run after flicking it to fine leg. |
| Matthew Hayden on air discusses about not going far ahead of the moment. He says that on days when you are striking the ball well or when things are going your way, you often tend to forget about the bigger picture. Adds further that in the sport it is about only that one delivery that can often consume the batsman. So the batsmen need to be careful more so when in full flow. |
| 38.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Vijay pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 38.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Poor bowling by Gamage. Even after conceding so many runs, he strays on the pads yet again. Vijay flicks it through backward square leg. Before Lakmal in the deep does the clean-up job, a couple results. |
| LAKSHAN SANDAKAN comes back for a bowl. A short leg and a short mid-wicket in place apart from a slip. |
| 39.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Floated around middle and leg, pushed towards short mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli wrists this in front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 39.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay gets ahead and pushes it defensively back towards the bowler. |
| 39.4 : L Sandakan to M Vijay, Vijay ambles away to the other end by knocking this down to long on. |
| 39.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, FOUR! Kohli fulfills the desire of the ball wanting to be at the cover boundary, says the witty Harsha Bhogle as he lavishes praise on this shot. Sandakan drops it short around off, Kohli goes back and slaps it through covers. The real estate on that part of the ground leaves the ball unhindered as it makes its way to the fence. Kohli is soon catching up with Vijay as far as personal scores are concerned. |
| 39.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Flicked straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| DILRUWAN PERERA to roll his arm over from the other end. |
| 40.1 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay finds the mid-wicket fielder with the flick. |
| 40.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Swept away to the short fine leg fielder. |
| 40.3 : D Perera to Vijay, 100-run stand between Vijay and Kohli is up! This journey has been only of 121 balls so far and is as chanceless as it looks. Vijay eases this through the cover region for a single. |
| 40.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli clips it through mid-wicket and rotates strike. |
| Perera aborts before delivering this one. Mind games? Maybe. |
| 40.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 40.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay gets down and plays the paddle sweep. Gets it fine on the leg side. Before Sandakan can chase it down from short fine leg, a brace results. |
| Drinks are on the field. Vijay and Kohli are just carrying on from where they left in the previous game. Their 103-run stand off 124 deliveries has just been full of strokes. Looks as if there is a competition of sorts and that's why both of them are matching each other stroke for stroke. Sri Lanka already seem to run out of ideas just half a day into this game. More than a refreshing drink, a fresh thought is what would help them. |
| 41.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Floated around off and middle, turned through mid-wicket for one. |
| 41.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Floated full delivery around off and middle, Vijay drives it towards covers, where the fielder stops it to his right. |
| 41.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, That's the wrong 'un! Bowled flatter outside off, Vijay goes back to cut but misses. |
| 41.4 : Sandakan to Vijay, A stifled appeal for an LBW, turned down. Sandakan tosses it up around leg, Vijay lunges forward to block but misses and wears it on the front pad. The Lankans appeal but to no avail. Going down leg for sure. |
| 41.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, This ball is played through cover-point for a run. |
| 41.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 42.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Flatter on the stumps, Kohli goes back and turns it through mid-wicket. Gets a run for doing so. |
| 42.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay finds the fielder stationed at mid-wicket with this clip. |
| 42.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Now Vijay works it in front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 42.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli uses his wrists to work it past mid-wicket for a single. |
| 42.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Perera comes round the wicket and serves it around leg. Vijay taps it in front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 42.6 : D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Wow! All this while, Kohli went back and flicked such deliveries to the man at deep mid-wicket. This time brings his wrists into play a bit more to get it squarer. The ball rushes through square leg. The fielder in the deep rushes to his right but fails to prevent the boundary. |
| 43.1 : L Sandakan to M Vijay, Sandakan needs to bowl this line more often. Tosses it up around off, Vijay looks to play it with a straight bat. The ball takes the outside edge and runs towards the third man fence. Before the ball is returned three runs result. Replays show that as Vijay was running to complete his second run, Kohli was halfway down for the third. So the opener was left with no option but to rush to the other end. |
| 43.2 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single. |
| 43.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay pushes it defensively back towards the bowler. |
| 43.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 43.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, No ball! It is a crime for a spinner to overstep and Perera has already done it twice. Vijay negotiates this by blocking it from the crease. |
| L Sandakan to Vijay, No run. |
| 44.1 : D Perera to Kohli, 1 run. |
| 0.0 : Virat Kohli's key to success against the spinner has been the stride that he gets. He does so and converts the good length deliveries into fuller one and collects runs. He is seen picking up lengths early and hence when the delivery is slightly short, he is quick to go back and play it. Good to see, helpful for a young player to watch and learn. |
| 44.2 : D Perera to Vijay, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 44.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Worked through square leg for a single. |
| 44.4 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.5 : D Perera to Kohli, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 44.6 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads |
| 45.1 : L Sandakan to M Vijay, Driven towards mid off. |
| 45.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay finds mid-wicket with this flick. |
| 45.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, HUGE APPEAL! No reaction from the umpire. Sandakan floats it around middle and leg, Vijay sees that it is on the shorter side and looks to go back and play the cut. The spin on that delivery makes him miss the ball and he gets rapped on the back pad. A huge appeal follows but to no avail. Hawk Eye shows that it wasn't a bad shout as the ball is seen clipping the leg stump. Wouldn't have been out on review as it is umpire's call. |
| 45.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 45.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay plays it through point for a run. |
| 45.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Virat has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 46.1 : D Perera to V Kohli, Hit straight to the man at mid on. |
| 46.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 46.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Vijay goes back and flicks it through mid-wicket. A brace results before the fielder in the deep does well to retrieve the ball. |
| 46.4 : D Perera to Vijay, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 46.5 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli lunges forward and blocks it. |
| 46.6 : D Perera to V Kohli, This is pushed towards mid off. |
| 47.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay taps it towards mid-wicket and crosses over to the other end. He moves to 81 now. |
| 47.2 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, Landed around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 47.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli turns this through mid-wicket and rotates strike. |
| 47.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Flatter down the leg side, Vijay goes back to flick but misses. |
| 47.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Another one down the leg side, Vijay goes back and misses the flick. |
| 47.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is given the ball now. He has been on the bench for the first couple of games and should be largely unaffected by the on-field fatigue then. Can he provide the Lankans the breakthrough? |
| 48.1 : de Silva to Kohli, Kohli rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. |
| 48.2 : de Silva to Vijay, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 48.3 : de Silva to Vijay, Played to mid-wicket region by MV. |
| 48.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Vijay pushes it towards mid on. |
| 48.5 : de Silva to M Vijay, Vijay eases this down to long on for a run. |
| 48.6 : de Silva to Kohli, Kohli does the same now as he knocks this down to long on for a run. |
| 49.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Floated around middle and leg, Kohli eases it down to long on for a run. What's more, Sandakan has overstepped. |
| L Sandakan to Vijay, Fuller outside off, Vijay plays it through cover-point for one run. |
| 49.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 49.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Karunaratne should never have been conceding the single there, reckons Russel Arnold on air. This ball is flicked towards square leg and the batters set off for a run. Karunaratne is on his heels and hence is a touch late in getting to the ball. A run results. |
| 49.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Virat blocks it from the crease. |
| 49.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli turns it through mid-wicket for one run. |
| 49.6 : L Sandakan to M Vijay, Vijay eases this down to long on for a run. |
| 50.1 : de Silva to Vijay, Floated around leg, Vijay keeps it out to the leg side. |
| 50.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Similar delivery, MV works it towards short fine leg for a run. |
| 50.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Kohli goes back and whips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 50.4 : de Silva to Vijay, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 50.5 : de Silva to Vijay, Landed around middle and leg, Vijay blocks it watchfully. |
| 50.6 : de Silva to Vijay, This one's knocked down to long on for a single. |
| A chest guard and shin guards are brought on for Roshen Silva who is all set to grab his place at short leg. |
| 51.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, A wrong 'un around leg, Vijay goes back and presents a full bat face as he keeps this out safely. |
| 51.2 : Sandakan to Vijay, In the air but just out of the bowler's reach. Vijay charges down and wrists it over the bowler's head. Sandakan leaps but fails to get a hand to it. A run results as the long on fielder does the fielding. |
| 51.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Another appeal! Floated gently around middle and leg, Kohli lunges forward to keep it out but misses. The ball hits him on the front pad and that draws a huge shout from the Lankans. Because it is turned down, they ponder about the review before deciding against that. Ball Tracker shows it would have been umpire's call on impact and the ball would have spun down leg. |
| 51.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 51.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay goes back and flicks it towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 51.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Flatter on the pads, Vijay goes back and flicks it through short fine leg. Karunaratne chases it down, slides and keeps the ball in play. The batsmen pick up three runs before the ball is returned. The umpire goes upstairs to see if the boundary is saved. It is indeed, as confirmed after having a look at numerous replays. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is back on. |
| 52.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, This partnership is now worth 150 runs. It just rolls on and on. Vijay plays it with soft hands towards mid on and sets off for a quick run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The run is completed with ease. |
| 52.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Kohli flicks it through mid-wicket for the umpteenth time for a run. |
| 52.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Length delivery around off, Vijay blocks it solidly. |
| 52.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Straight bat face presented by MV as he keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 52.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Lakmal runs in and bangs it short on the stumps. Vijay crouched low and lets it go. It was bowled at 128kph. |
| 52.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, On a length outside off, Vijay gets his front foot forward and shoulders arms to that. |
| 53.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Flatter on the stumps, Virat gets back and hits it to the fielder stationed at deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 53.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Floated wide of the off stump, Vijay watches the ball go into the keeper's gloves. |
| 53.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay flicks it towards mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his left to prevent a run. |
| 53.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay plays this straighter towards long on for a run. Moves to 95 now. |
| 53.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli hits it to the fielder manning the long on fence for a single. |
| 53.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Beautifully bowled. Sandakan tosses this just around off, Vijay lunges forward in defense but misses. It was the googly. Shows that if you land it in the right areas, it will cause problems even to the set batsman. |
| 54.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, On a length around off, Virat presents a straight bat as he keeps it out watchfully. |
| 0.0 : Two men in the deep in the leg for the bouncer for Kohli. |
| 54.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Kohli taps it towards covers for a quick run. |
| Lakmal had to abort bowling this one. As he ran in to bowl that, the towel tucked in his pant fell off. This distracted Vijay, who moved away from his position. Earlier in the day, such an instance hadn't resulted in the bowler aborting delivering the ball. |
| 54.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 54.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Vijay clips it through mid-wicket for a single that takes him to 96. |
| 54.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Length delivery outside off, Kohli guides it straight to gully. |
| The Armed Forces week is going on in India. The Indian cricketers are wearing a badge on their chest in order to show respect to the Army men. |
| 54.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Here comes the bouncer! It was well advertised from a while ago. Kohli is well set for that and he flat-bats it towards deep mid-wicket. Gets a couple for doing so. |
| The short leg fielder is a bit deeper. Means that the fielder isn't for a bat-pad chance but for a flick shot that can be aerial. |
| 55.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 55.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, FOUR! 11th Test hundred for Murali Vijay! He has looked at ease from the moment he walked in. In the previous game, a loose shot brought his downfall when he looked set for a longer stint at the crease. This time he seems focused to not let the chance go. Sandakan drops it short outside off, Vijay goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary. He gets out a jig as he celebrates his milestone. Back-to-back tons for the opener, the first time he has done so. Also, |
| 55.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Now picks up a single by easing it through point. |
| 55.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 55.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli presents a forward defense as he blocks this. |
| 55.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, FOUR! Can the local lad stay quiet when his partner is mustering the runs? Nope. He won't. He goes back to this shortish delivery and smashes it through covers for a boundary. Moves to 94 with this. |
| Last over before Tea. Kohli on 94 now. Can he get to triple figures before the break? |
| 56.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Length ball outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 56.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Length delivery around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 56.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Vijay displays the forward defense as he keeps it out solidly. |
| 56.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Interesting celebration! After Vijay got to the triple-figure mark, he and his skipper brought out the dab after signalling something towards KL Rahul. This had the youngster in splits. |
| 56.5 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Vijay gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it watchfully. |
| 56.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, A touch fuller around off, Vijay defends it towards mid off. A maiden to end the session. That's TEA, DAY 1! |
| Well then! 129 runs from the session and it completely belonged to the Indian team. Vijay and Kohli are amidst a 167-run stand and are looking solid out there. After the loss of two wickets, Kohli started counter-attacking the Lankan bowlers. He got to his fifty in just 52 balls and has scored the majority of his runs through boundaries. Vijay on the other hand, has been in sublime form getting to his 11th Test century and his third back-to-back first-class ton. |
| Sri Lanka didn't capitalize on the wicket of Pujara and let things slip out of their hands. The spinners have been leaking way too many runs for their liking and nothing seems to be going according to plan. They need to break this partnership as soon as possible or else they will have to toil it out for another session. What will Chandimal have to tell his players during the break? Join us soon after the break to find out. |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back for the last session of the day. The players and the umpires are out in the middle. Vijay and Kohli are back to resume their innings. How long will Kohli take to get to his ton? Dilruwan Perera to bowl first up. |
| 57.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Shortish in length, Kohli hangs back and blocks it. |
| 57.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Spinning towards the pads, Kohli tucks it to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 57.3 : D Perera to V Kohli, Short delivery on middle, stays low. Kohli adjusts well and pulls it to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 57.4 : D Perera to Vijay, Slow through the air on off, patted back to the bowler. |
| 57.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Hangs back to the flighted delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 57.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Quicker in pace and on a flatter trajectory on leg stump, Vijay helps it through mid-wicket for an easy run. |
| Lahiru Gamage to bowl from the other end. |
| 58.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Serves it on a good length ball, around off, Vijay plays it with a straight bat |
| 58.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Offers it around off, Vijay doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 58.3 : L Gamage to M Vijay,Fuller this time, MV drives it confidently to mid off region for a dot ball. |
| 58.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 58.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length ball around off and it nips back from the pitch. Vijay leaves it alone. |
| 58.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Back of a length this time, Pujara on to his back foot and plays it on the ground. Maiden for Gamage to start with. |
| 59.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Flatter delivery on middle, Kohli has all the time in the world to hang back and ease it to short mid-wicket. |
| 59.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Similar delivery, spinning in. Virat turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 59.3 : D Perera to M Vijay, Fullish in length, Vijay is on the move as he clips it to mid on for a run. |
| 59.4 : D Perera to V Kohli, Leans into the flighted delivery and knocks it through mid on to rotate strike. |
| 59.5 : D Perera to M Vijay, Hit hard but not in the gap! Floated delivery outside off, Vijay punches it but finds the man at extra cover. |
| 59.6 : D Perera to M Vijay, FOUR! This time he maneuvers the field with perfection. He has played that with a lot of authority. Tossed up delivery in line of the stumps, Vijay makes room and creams it through covers for an exquisite boundary. When he is in full flow, he is an absolute joy to watch! |
| 60.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Back of a length from Gamage, Kohli jumps and pushes it to cover region for a single. Moves to 98. |
| 60.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR. Glorious timing from Vijay. He really looks in good nick. This ball is served up around off and Vijay picks the length quickly and drives it to cover-point area for a boundary. Doesn't bother running for it. |
| Two short mid-wickets in place. |
| 60.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Deliverers this at the off stump and Vijay pushes it to mid-wicket area for a couple of runs. |
| 60.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Vijay defends towards cover to rotate strike. |
| Third man comes inside the ring to create some pressure on Kohli. |
| 60.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, Kohli plays this ball to mid-wicket and picks up another single. |
| 60.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 61.1 : D Perera to Kohli, 20th Test ton for Virat Kohli, his 13th as captain. What a player! He has scored this one without breaking a sweat. Colourful array of strokes all around the park and he has achieved this in rapid pace. Looks like a man in complete control of himself and he has pummeled the opposition into submission. Coming back to the delivery, it is on a fullish length on the pads. Kohli clips it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Lifts his helmet and sinks in all the applause from the cro |
| 61.2 : D Perera to Vijay, Shortish delivery, Vijay camps back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a couple. |
| 61.3 : D Perera to Vijay, Flighted delivery, Vijay eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 61.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Spinning into Kohli who eases it to mid-wicket. |
| 61.5 : D Perera to V Kohli, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 61.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Flighted delivery outside off, Murali strokes it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 62.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, A bit straighter this time from Gamage. Angling to the leg side. MV nudges it to mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 62.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Served it at a fuller length and onto the pads, Kohli uses his wrists and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 62.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 62.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length ball on off, played onto the ground. |
| 62.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Way too leg side this from Gamage. Easy pickings for any batsman. Nudges it to wide fine leg and gets another run. |
| 62.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, Kohli gets this again on his leg he pushes it again to the fine leg region to move on the non-striker's end. |
| Review time! Finally some excitement among the Sri Lankan players. Kohli is the man in question and it is regarding an LBW decision. Seems to be spinning down the leg side but you never know. |
| 63.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Not Out! A review goes down the drain! Tossed up delivery around middle and leg, spinning down. Kohli tries to flick it away but misses and gets rapped on the pads. Perera is really confident and so is Dickwella but the umpire stays unmoved. Chandimal has a look at his bowler and finally decides to challenge the decision. Time for the Snickometer. It doesn't spot any deviation. The Hawk Eye rolls in. Oh ho! The ball has pitched outside leg and that puts the argument to b |
| 63.2 : D Perera to V Kohli, Slow through the air, Kohli makes room and bludgeons it but finds the man at mid off. |
| 63.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Tossed up delivery, eased to the same region. |
| 63.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Full on middle and leg, clipped all along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 63.5 : D Perera to Vijay, Takes a confident stride forward to this one and blocks it. |
| 63.6 : D Perera to Vijay, Fullish delivery around leg stump, Vijay sweeps it but gets it off the bottom half of the bat to fine leg. Two runs taken. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva comes back into the attack. Can he bowl a magic delivery and get a wicket? |
| 64.1 : de Silva to V Kohli, In the air... but safe! Floated on middle and leg, Kohli is early into his shot and hence, chips it uppishly. Gets it to the right side of the bowler for a run. |
| 64.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Quicker in pace, kept out watchfully. |
| 64.3 : de Silva to Vijay, Flighted delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 64.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Waits for this one and nudges it to mid-wicket. |
| 64.5 : de Silva to Vijay, Almost a wicket! Tossed up delivery around off, Vijay looks to play an expansive drive through covers but ends up getting it off the inner half of the bat. The ball flies towards Chandimal at short mid-wicket who dives in front but only manages to take it on the bounce. |
| 64.6 : de Silva to Vijay, No run. |
| 65.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Short ball on the leg side, Kohli on his back foot and pushes it to mid-wicket region for no run. |
| 65.2 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman delicately works it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. The 200-run stand is up. They don't look like they are going to stop here. |
| 65.3 : D Perera to Vijay, FOUR! Reverse sweep from Vijay and it gets him a boundary. Delicately done by him. The player from slip runs to stop the ball from going to the fence but fails. |
| 65.4 : D Perera to Vijay, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 65.5 : D Perera to Vijay, This one swept by Vijay to fine leg for a single. |
| 65.6 : D Perera to Kohli, Driven towards the mid-on region. |
| 66.1 : de Silva to Vijay, Floated on middle and leg, turned to deep square leg for a run. |
| 66.2 : de Silva to Kohli, Drifting away this time, played with an angled bat behind point. A run taken. |
| 66.3 : de Silva to Vijay, Tossed up delivery, MV is compact in his defense. |
| 66.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Slow through the air, defended with soft hands to the leg side. |
| 66.5 : de Silva to Vijay, Floated delivery on middle, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 66.6 : de Silva to Vijay, In line of the stumps, kept out watchfully. |
| Lakshan Sandakan comes back to replace Perera. |
| 67.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli,Good length ball from Sandakan. Kohli pushes it to mid-wicket for no run. |
| 67.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 67.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 67.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Vijay flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 67.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Tossed up, fuller in length and Kohli flicks it to rotate strike. |
| 67.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Fullish in length from Sandakan, around off and Vijay drives it sodily to cover-point for a single. |
| 68.1 : de Silva to Vijay, Short in length, Vijay works it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 68.2 : de Silva to Kohli, Slower in pace, Kohli lunges forward in defense. |
| 68.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Straying on the pads, tucked to backward square leg for a run. |
| 68.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Going away with the arm, Vijay hangs back and punches it to covers. |
| 68.5 : de Silva to Vijay, Flighted delivery on off, MV leans ahead and blocks it into the ground. |
| 68.6 : de Silva to Vijay, In line of the stumps, tucked off the back foot towards short fine leg. |
| 69.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, FOUR! Powerful sweep from Kohli. Onto his knees and places it to perfection to the deep mid -wicket region. There was a fielder at deep mid-wicket and fine leg but it was in between them. |
| 69.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. |
| 69.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama got hit on the grille of his helmet earlier in the day. He was taken off the field as well. The on-air commentators tell us now, that he had been taken to the hospital for some precautionary scans. He is safe and not in any danger they add. |
| 69.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Short ball from Sandakan, Punched on the back foot from Vijay to pick up a single. |
| 69.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 69.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli flicks it away off his pads for a run. |
| 70.1 : de Silva to Kohli, Fraction short in length, tucked off the back foot to short mid-wicket. |
| 70.2 : de Silva to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 70.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Tossed up on leg stump, Virat makes good use of the depth of the crease and turns it to square leg. |
| 70.4 : de Silva to Kohli, Slow through the air on leg stump, Kohli waits for it and taps it besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 70.5 : de Silva to Kohli, Spinning towards the pads, the Indian skipper turns it to backward square leg to rotate strike. |
| 70.6 : de Silva to Vijay, Fullish on middle and leg, kept out nicely. |
| 71.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Flighted delivery, pushed off the front foot to short mid-wicket. |
| 71.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, A miscued shot from Virat Kohli, perhaps the first one from the Indian skipper. Fullish on middle, Kohli clears his front leg and goes for an expansive shot towards long on but skews it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket. A run taken. 300 up for India. India keep on ticking the scoreboard with ease. |
| 71.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Outside off, patted back to Sandakan. |
| 71.4 : Sandakan to Vijay, A chirpy appeal for an LBW is turned down! Tossed up on middle and leg, spinning down. Vijay looks to keep it out but misses to wear it on the pads. Sandakan is confident but Dickwella is not quite sure. Chandimal has a look at his bowler but they don't go for the review this time. Right thing to do as it would have missed the leg stump. |
| 71.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Well outside off, the wrong one and it spins further away. MV doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 71.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Deft! Shortish in length outside off, Vijay dabs it past first slip and gets a couple to his name. |
| Drinks break. |
| 72.1 : de Silva to Kohli, Fraction short on off, Virat camps back and tucks it to wide long on for a single. |
| 72.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Oohs and Aahs from the Sri Lankans! Quicker through the air on off, Vijay plays for the turn but it carries on with the arm. As a result, he is opened up in his stance and gets it off the outer half besides the pitch on the off side. |
| 72.3 : de Silva to Vijay, Takes as confident stride forward and clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 72.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Loopy ball on off, Vijay comes forward and negotiates the spin. |
| 72.5 : de Silva to Vijay, Slow through the air, MV makes room to drive it but defends it eventually. |
| 72.6 : de Silva to Vijay, Loopy delivery on off, whipped to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| The helmet comes out for Vijay which indicates that a fast pace bowler will come back into the attack. Indeed, Lahiru Gamage will have a burst now. |
| 73.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Back of a length from Gamage, around off Kohli pushes it to point for a dot ball. |
| 73.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Takes a step and quickly goes to his back foot and defends it. |
| 73.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 73.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Bouncer from Gamage, Vijay picks up the length and lets it go to the keeper. |
| 73.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, Served in a good length and the ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. |
| 73.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, The batsman has driven it through mid on. |
| 74.1 : de Silva to V Kohli, Uppish but safe! Slow through the air on off, Kohli looks to ease it down the ground but ends up chipping it just wide of the bowler on the off side. Perhaps signs of the track being two-paced? |
| 0.0 : The artificial lights are starting to take effect now. |
| 74.2 : de Silva to Kohli, Flighted delivery on off, Virat looks to flick it through mid-wicket but gets a leading edge which falls short of de Silva. |
| 74.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Short delivery, Kohli pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 74.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Loopy delivery, blocked watchfully. |
| 74.5 : de Silva to Vijay, A shout for a caught behind and an LBW is turned down! Tossed up delivery around leg stump, Vijay goes for the fancy reverse sweep but misses. The ball lobs off something and goes towards the leg side. Dickwella to move his left and collects it. The Sri Lankans appeal but the umpire turns it down. Dickwella immediately signals to his captain that there is no edge. The Snicko confirms that, it came off the arm actually. It also pitched outside leg. |
| 74.6 : de Silva to Vijay, The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 75.1 : L Gamage to Vijay, Good length ball from Gamage, around off and Vijay opens the face of the bat towards cover-point and picks up a single. |
| 75.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 75.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! This is class from Vijay. Soft hands using the pace of the bowlers and runs it down to third man for a boundary. Length ball outside, opens the face of the bat and neatly plays it, the ball runs to the fence to add four runs to the total. |
| 75.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 75.5 : L Gamage to V Kohli, Length again from Gamage, Kohli drives it to mid-wicket for a single. With that he reaches to 3000 runs as captain in Test cricket. |
| 75.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| 76.1 : de Silva to Kohli, Spinning towards the pads, Kohli tickles it fine past the keeper. Sandakan in the deep sprints to his right and shows some football skills to keep the ball in play. Two runs taken. |
| 76.2 : de Silva to Kohli, Some turn on this occasion! Kohli hangs back and helps it to square leg. |
| 76.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Works this one with the spin around the corner for a run. |
| Murali Kartik observes that Dhananjaya de Silva has looked the better spinner so far and wonders why. Sunil Gavaskar opines that it is because he is bowling at a good pace and not giving much air to the ball. This creates a dilemma in the minds of the batsmen as whether to get on the front foot or the back foot. |
| 76.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Vijay clips this one to deep mid-wicket for an easy single. |
| 76.5 : de Silva to V Kohli, Full delivery, Virat makes room and drills it towards mid on. |
| 76.6 : de Silva to Vijay, On leg stump, MV dead-bats it. |
| Lakshan Sandakan to bowl. |
| 77.1 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, Kohli drives this ball to mid on and it goes from the inner half of the bat. |
| 77.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Punched off the backfoot by the batsman. |
| 77.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Short of a length by Sandakan, Kohli on his back foot and punches it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 77.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Short again, Kohli punches this on mid-wicket and gets a single this time. |
| 77.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Ball is bowled on the leg side. MV tries to flick it down to fine leg but misses it. The keeper shouts for a catch but to no a vail. |
| 77.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 78.1 : de Silva to Kohli, The big sweep but finds the fielder! Tossed up on leg stump, Kohli hits it hard but the fielder is present at deep backward square leg. |
| 78.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 78.3 : de Silva to Kohli, In line of the stumps, turned to square leg. |
| 78.4 : de Silva to Kohli, Quicker in pace on off, played with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 78.5 : de Silva to Kohli, Well played! Drifting away from Kohli. He waits for it and guides it past first Mathews at first slip. The veteran hares after it and keeps the ball in play. Saves a run for his side. |
| 78.6 : de Silva to Vijay, Clears his front leg and knocks this down to long on for a single. The 250-run stand comes up between the duo. What an effort and they continue to play freely. |
| 79.1 : L Sandakan to Vijay, On the leg stump, Kohli tries to guide it to square leg but misses the ball and it hits his pad. |
| 79.2 : L Sandakan to M Vijay, Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total. |
| 79.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli flicks this ball to square leg and picks up two runs. He runs the first one hard and quickly sends MV for the second. |
| 79.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 79.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, This is his fourth no-ball. This one a little marginal but a no-ball is a no-ball. Played through mid-wicket and Kohli gets to the non-strikers end. |
| L Sandakan to Vijay, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 79.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| The second new ball is available now but it has not been taken. |
| 80.1 : de Silva to Kohli, On a flatter trajectory on off, Kohli covers the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 80.2 : de Silva to Kohli, Hangs deep in the crease to this one and works it to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 80.3 : de Silva to Vijay, Spinning into Vijay who works it to square leg and looks for a run. However, he is sent back by the Indian skipper. |
| 80.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Clears his front leg to the fullish delivery and milks it down to long on to rotate strike. |
| 80.5 : de Silva to Kohli, Not much feet movement on that but he eases it nicely to covers for an easy single. |
| 80.6 : de Silva to Vijay, Tossed up delivery, pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 81.1 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, FOUR! Hit away with disdain! A rank long hop on hop, Kohli lines it up and smashes it over the leaping fielder at short mid-wicket. No protection in the deep and the ball races to the fence. |
| 81.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, No ball! 5th no ball of the day, poor stuff from the Sri Lankans. A spinner overstepping is just not done. Kohli plays this one with soft hands to covers for a run. |
| L Sandakan to Vijay, Stays back to the flatter delivery and blocks it stoutly. |
| 81.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Slow through the air, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 81.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The runs continue to flow from Vijay's bat. 4th 150 plus score for the elegant right-hander in Test cricket. The entire dressing room is up on its feet applauding his brilliant knock. Coming back to the ball, it is outside off. MV creams it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 81.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Sits deep in the crease and works it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| Hang on! The umpires had made a mistake. They had forgotten the no ball and so Sandakan has been called back to complete his over. A bit of an issue with the sightscreen as well. |
| 81.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Drifting down the leg side, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| 82.1 : de Silva to Vijay, Floated on off, Vijay prods forward to defend but gets it off the inner half towards the vacant short leg region. |
| 82.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Outside off, played with an open bat face towards point to rotate strike. |
| 82.3 : de Silva to Kohli, In line of the stumps, played with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 82.4 : de Silva to Kohli, No trouble at all for Kohli. He waits for the delivery which turns in slowly and tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 82.5 : de Silva to Kohli, Full on middle and leg, drilled down to long on for a single. |
| 82.6 : de Silva to Vijay, Flatter this time, worked off the hips to square leg. |
| 83.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Leans ahead to the tossed up delivery and works it past mid-wicket for a single. |
| 83.2 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 83.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Slips in the googly this time, Vijay reads it and blocks it watchfully. |
| 83.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Slow through the air outside off, stroked to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 83.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Fullish in length, patted towards mid on. |
| 83.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, On a flatter trajectory, answered with a straight bat. |
| 84.1 : de Silva to Vijay, Tossed up delivery, Vijay eases it to mid on. |
| 84.2 : de Silva to Vijay, Drifting away from MV who taps it to vacant point region and crosses over for a single. |
| 84.3 : de Silva to Kohli, 8th 150-plus score for Virat Kohli! The way he is playing it seems like he is having a net practice. Sighting the ball like a football. Shorter in length, Kohli rocks back and punches it towards sweeper cover. The fielder does well to stop the ball from crossing the fence. Three runs taken. Another double century in sight for the Indian skipper. |
| 84.4 : de Silva to Vijay, Floated delivery, Vijay clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 84.5 : de Silva to Vijay, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 84.6 : de Silva to M Vijay, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, clipped to mid on. |
| 85.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Tossed up, On the leg side, Kohli strides forward and defends it. |
| 85.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 85.3 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 85.4 : L Sandakan to Vijay, Sixth no ball here from Sandakan. He has some serious problem with his front foot. Back off a length and Vijay rocks back and punches it for a single. |
| L Sandakan to Kohli, Driven towards the mid off region. One run added to the total. |
| 85.5 : L Sandakan to Vijay, The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. |
| Third umpire has been referred to for a stumping appeal against Vijay. Should be close but Dickwella looks confident. |
| 85.6 : L Sandakan to Vijay, OUT st Niroshan Dickwella b Lakshan Sandakan. India have lost their third wicket. |
| Ajinkya Rahane strides out to the middle. A tricky phase of play awaits him. He has been short of runs in this series. Perhaps the right time for Sri Lanka to attack him. |
| 86.1 : de Silva to Kohli, Flatter and shorter in length, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 86.2 : de Silva to Kohli, A fraction fuller in length on off, turned wristily to the mid-wicket region. |
| 86.3 : de Silva to Kohli, Easy pickings for Virat! Spinning down the leg side, the Indian skipper helps it down to fine leg for an easy brace. |
| 86.4 : de Silva to Kohli, Kohli has scored a lot of runs through the mid-wicket region today. Fullish on middle, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 86.5 : de Silva to Rahane, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 86.6 : de Silva to Rahane, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Easy singles on offer for Rahane. Not the correct mindset to play with. When a batsman has been struggling, you need to make him feel uncomfortable. That is how you get wickets. |
| 87.1 : L Sandakan to Rahane, On the pads, tucked to backward square leg. |
| 87.2 : L Sandakan to Rahane, An appeal for an LBW is denied! Tossed up around leg stump, Rahane prods forward to defend but misses. The visitors shout in unison but the umpire stays put. Replays show that it was spinning down leg. |
| Another nervy moment for the Indians. Dickwella is once again confident and is claiming that he has caught Rahane short of his crease. It has been referred upstairs. Seems out to the naked eye. The body language of Rahane also suggests so. |
| 87.3 : L Sandakan to Rahane, OUT! What a brilliant piece of bowling and keeping! Sandakan has once again outsmarted a top batsman. Bowls this one slower through the air from over the wicket and it is the wrong one. Keeps it well outside off, drawing Rahane into the drive. He falls into the trap and goes for a half-hearted push. Ends up missing it and Dickwella behind the stumps is sharp as a hawk. He collects it and whips the bails off in a jiffy. Is the back foot out of the crease? It is taken u |
| Rohit Sharma is the new man in. Suddenly Sri Lanka are on the prowl. Can they sneak in another wicket before end of day's play? |
| 87.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Brilliant ball to get first up. Googly outside off, Sharma prods forward to defend but gets beaten. |
| 87.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. |
| 87.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, On middle and leg, whipped to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 88.1 : de Silva to Sharma, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 88.2 : de Silva to Sharma, FOUR! Nicely done! Outside off, Sharma hangs back and cuts it behind point to find the fence. |
| 88.3 : de Silva to Sharma, Defends this one off the front foot to the leg side. |
| 88.4 : de Silva to Sharma, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 88.5 : de Silva to Sharma, Shorter in length, kept out watchfully. |
| 88.6 : de Silva to Sharma, Stays back footed and clips it to fine leg for a single. |
| Last over of the day coming up... |
| 89.1 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Flat and quick on off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 89.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Fullish in length, Sharma stays back and blocks it in a jittery manner. |
| 89.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Full and quick down the leg side, Sharma goes for a full fledged sweep but fails to make contact. |
| 89.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Another beauty of a delivery from Sandakan. He is bowling on fuller lengths and is immediately causing problems for the batsmen. Wrong one around off, Sharma pokes at it and gets beaten all ends up. |
| Second slip in place now. Good move. |
| 89.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Spinning into Sharma who plays it with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 89.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Slips in a googly on middle, Rohit reads it well and smothers it expertly. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| Good comeback by Sri Lanka towards the close of the day's play. One way traffic otherwise in the game. The Indian openers, Dhawan and Vijay, gave India a good start scoring quickly from both ends before the former fell to a rash shot. It was a rare failure for Pujara and he got dismissed due to a well-planned field placement. And then came the counter attack from Kohli and Vijay. |
| The duo added 283 runs with both scoring 150-plus. Kohli got to his 20th ton while Vijay scored his 11th. They looked as if they would end up playing the entire day without losing another wicket. But Sandakan had other plans. Two wrong ones on a driving length got the better of Vijay and Rahane. Dickwella with some Dhoni-esque stumpings played a crucial part in those dismissals. Rahane will be disappointed with his shot selection as this was his opportunity to score some runs on a good batting t |
| Sri Lanka would be happy ending the day with back-to-back wickets but they still have a lot of work to do. They will be hoping Sandakan gets similar purchase on Day 2 and picks up a few more wickets. The tourists would hope to build up on this and start on similar lines tomorrow. They have their task cut out due to the presence of the Indian skipper at the crease. Will they trigger a collapse and restrict India under 450? Or will the hosts continue to surge ahead with their runs? Let's find out |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ... |
| Good morning! Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka. Despite the loss of two quick wickets during the close of Day 1, India would be satisfied with their position in the game at the moment. With Kohli still unbeaten on 156, his aim would be to get consecutive double centuries. It will be an interesting watch as to how much more India add to the overnight score. |
| Sri Lanka on the other hand will look for early breakthroughs. Their bowlers looked off-colour and allowed the hosts to score quickly. They would hope their spinners get some sort of purchase from a track, where the odd ball is misbehaving. They should come out and begin the day with a different mindset - that of triggering an Indian collapse to restrict the score to as less as they can. Sandakan's spell towards the end of yesterday should act as an encouragement. Stay with us to find out whethe |
| Murali Kartik catches up with Murali Vijay on the sidelines, who says that his mindset is really good and he's hitting the ball really well. About his celebration post the century mark, he says that they are practicing a jig for the away series and are teaching Pujara the same, as they want the no.3 batter to dance in the future. He isn't even thinking about the wrist injury (that had hampered him in the last 6 months) and is happy with the way he is hitting the ball. He admits it is difficult t |
| Russel Arnold has a chat with Dilruwan Perera, the quickest Sri Lankan to pick up 100 Test wickets. He is delighted with the feat and says he knew Muralitharan was the quickest to the mark and was aware of beating the former spinner in this regard. States that he plays just a few games outside Sri Lanka and hence he aims to do well in the chances he gets. Says that the track is flat at the moment and he will look to pitch the ball in right areas to restrict India to a decent total. |
| Russel Arnold says that the sun has come out early today in Delhi and the pitch has not changed much after yesterday. The grass, as he thought, is a bit superficial and not much has changed. Sunil Gavaskar adds that the pitch is still very good for batting. After inspecting the pitch further, he states that the cracks are yet to open up and the footmarks are visible but not at a length that should trouble the batsmen. Further mentions that the pitch should remain the same during the course of pl |
| The Sri Lankan players make their way in middle with the umpires. The Indian pair of ROHIT SHARMA and VIRAT KOHLI are ready to give Sri Lanka another hard day's work. DILURWAN PERERA will start the first over of the day. A slip and a short leg to start with. Here we go! |
| 90.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Straighter ball, Kohli plays it onto the ground. |
| 90.2 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 90.3 : D Perera to Kohli, First runs of the day. Tossed up to the batsman and Kohli plays it to point by opening the face a little and picks up a run. |
| 90.4 : D Perera to Sharma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 90.5 : D Perera to Sharma, Fuller in length this time, Rohit drives it to mid on. |
| 90.6 : D Perera to Sharma, Wide outside leg, Sharma tries to flick it to square leg but it is too far for him. |
| LAKSHAN SANDAKAN to begin from the other end. A slip and a bat-pad fielder in place for him too. |
| 91.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, No ball! Begins with a no ball! Not an ideal start from the tweaker. Tosses it up around middle and leg, Kohli flicks it away towards mid-wicket for a single. The replay shows that he is well over the line there. Not pardonable for a spinner. |
| L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma flicks this one but straight to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 91.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Flatter outside off, Sharma looks to cut it but ends up chopping it towards the keeper. |
| 91.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Rohit punches this back towards the bowler. |
| 91.4 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, This ball is driven towards mid on. |
| 91.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma gets off the mark for the day by turning this past mid-wicket for a single. |
| 91.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Easy run this for Virat. He goes back and uses his wrists to turn it away off his pads for a run to retain strike. |
| 92.1 : D Perera to V Kohli, The batsman has driven it through mid on. |
| 0.0 : Sunil Gavaskar recounts his playing days. He says that once Eknath Solkar was hit when he was fielding at short leg and had to get some scans done. After returning, he jokingly said that there is something inside his head and it is not empty! This talk came up after the video of Samarawickrama getting hit on the helmet yesterday was shown. |
| 92.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Tossed it up, Kohli defends it from his crease. |
| 92.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Pitched up, Kohli pushes it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 92.4 : D Perera to Sharma, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 92.5 : D Perera to Sharma, In line of the stumps and Sharma plays it back to the bowler. |
| 92.6 : D Perera to Sharma, Tossed up again, Sharma nudges it to mid-wicket for no run. |
| 93.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Tossed up on a fullish length outside off, Kohli frees his arms and drills it towards sweeper cover. Lakmal races to his right and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 93.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Once again it is a full delivery and Virat nudges it to short mid-wicket. |
| 93.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Slow through the air on middle and leg, Kohli works it nicely to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 93.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, SIX! First maximum of the game. What a hit! Floated around off, Sharma clears his front leg and lifts it over long off for a biggie. The cameraman failed to spot it he rolled his camera towards long on. That shot would give Sharma a lot of confidence. Might be a good ploy to the attack the youngster to upset his rhythm. |
| 93.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Stays back and defends it towards forward short leg. |
| 93.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, This one is wide outside off and Rohit doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 94.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Quicker one outside off, Kohli looks to slap it to point but misses it. Dickwella collects it. |
| 94.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 94.3 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot |
| 94.4 : D Perera to V Kohli, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 94.5 : D Perera to Sharma, FOUR! DEFT! Amazing shot from Rohit Sharma. So elegant to watch. This ball is just around off and Sharma opens the face of the bat again and plays it towards the third-man region and it goes all the way for a boundary. Fielder at slip chases it but cannot keep pace with the ball. RS looking good. |
| 94.6 : D Perera to Sharma, Flicked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 95.1 : L Sandakan to Sharma, FOUR! Easy pickings! Sandakan opts for the wrong one but the line is really wayward. It is outside leg and Sharma takes full toll of it. Kneels and sweeps it hard through fine leg to find the fence. Sharma is looking in good touch, he is fresh from a hundred. |
| 95.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Straightaway after being hit for a boundary, Sandakan changes his angle and comes around the wicket. Drifts it down the leg side and Rohit misses it. |
| 95.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Coming in with the arm, blocked watchfully. |
| 95.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma let's this one come to him and clips it with the angle to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 95.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Too short in length, Kohli has ample time to sit back and knock it down to long on for a run. |
| 95.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, That's a peach of a delivery! Just shows what he can do when he pitches it in the right areas. Brings out the googly and lands it around off. Sharma is caught off guard as he fails to pick the variation. Pushes at it half-heartedly and gets beaten comprehensively. Sharp work from Dickwella to take the bails off but Sharma unlike Vijay and Rahane had his back foot grounded inside the crease. |
| The second new ball has been taken. They have done so after 96 overs. SURANGA LAKMAL will have the first bite at it. Let's see what he can get of the new cherry. |
| 96.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! That's not how to start with the new ball. Not what the captain would like from him. Fuller length ball onto the pads on Kohli and he flicks it classically to mid-wicket region for a boundary. The fielder at mid on chases the ball only to get it back from the fence. |
| 96.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Length ball, Kohli doesn't get his bat to the ball. |
| 96.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Served on a fuller length, the batsman works it down the leg side for a dot. |
| 96.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Outside off, Kohli places it to the point area to rotate strike. |
| Deep point comes inside the circle. |
| 96.5 : S Lakmal to Sharma, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 96.6 : S Lakmal to Sharma, 2 runs. |
| Lahiru Gamage comes into the attack. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 97.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Good fielding! Half-volley outside off, Kohli leans into it and nails the drive but the short cover fielder dives to his right to intercept. |
| 97.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, In the zone of apprehension, holding its line. Kohli points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 97.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, Back of a length delivery outside off, Kohli places it with an angled blade to the vacant point region and scurries across for a quick single. |
| 97.4 : L Gamage to Sharma, Length delivery outside off, a bit of inward movement on this occasion. Sharma doesn't flirt with it. |
| 97.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, Gamage goes full on this occasion, some nibble in the air as well. Sharma puts his head down and with a high elbow pushes it down the track. |
| 97.6 : L Gamage to R Sharma, Similar delivery, Rohit eases it off the front foot to mid off. |
| 98.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Served around off stump, Kohli plays it to point for nothing. |
| 98.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 98.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Back of a length, Kohli goes to his back foot and defends it. |
| 98.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Gracefully done from Kohli. Didn't seem at first that it would run all the way to the fence, but the timing on that was perfect. Length ball, around off, Kohli opens the face of the bat and it goes from the outer half of the bat. The fielder at fine leg ran to his right but couldn't save the certain boundary. |
| 98.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Back of a length this time, places to the point region and runs for a single. |
| 98.6 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Length ball, in line of the stumps and defends it from the crease. |
| 99.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Almost chopped it back! That is an area where Virat has got troubled in the past and the Sri Lankans need to bowl there much more. Length delivery outside off and a bit of width on offer as well. Kohli lazily pushes at it and gets a thick inside edge past his stumps and the ball goes past the keeper towards short fine leg. A run taken. That was a rare miscued shot from the Indian skipper. |
| 99.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 99.3 : L Gamage to Sharma, Well bowled! Good length delivery in the off stump channel, Sharma goes fishing at it tentatively and is foxed complete. The away seam movement off the deck caught him off guard. |
| 99.4 : L Gamage to Sharma, Similar length delivery, Rohit camps back and defends it stoutly. |
| 99.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, A great shot but the fielding is better! Such a fielding effort can lift the morale of the whole side. More so when you are struggling, this is the kind of effort you need from your players. Coming back to the delivery, it is short and there is width on offer. Sharma cracks it but Silva dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. |
| 99.6 : L Gamage to Sharma, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Sharma drives it elegantly but finds the cover fielder. |
| 100.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Served around off, Kohli playing at the wrong line, looks to flick it from off stump, it hits the inner half of the bat and onto his pads. No damage done. |
| 100.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Not in control this time. Yet gets the desired result. This happens when you are in form and on your 180's. Outside off this time from Lakmal, Kohli opens the face of the bat at the last moment, there were two slips and a gully and it goes in between all of them. The boundary also gets them their 50 run stand and its come in quick time. |
| 100.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli,Kohli looks to drive it to the off side but ends up getting it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 100.4 : S Lakmal to Sharma, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 100.5 : S Lakmal to Sharma, In line of the stumps and Sharma jabs it onto the ground. |
| 100.6 : S Lakmal to Sharma, FOUR! How elegant was that! wonderful on the eye and a boundary from the moment it left the bat. |
| The physio comes running out. Seems like Kohli is having a slight issue with his back. The magic spray comes out. Just might be a little stiffness. The Indian skipper is in the midst of a big innings. |
| 101.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Elegance at its best! In the last delivery of the previous over, Sharma had played a majestic cover drive and this time Kohli plays a beautifully timed stroke to the other side. Low full toss on the pads, Kohli stays well-balanced and clips it nonchalantly through mid-wicket for another boundary. |
| 101.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Short delivery around off, Virat gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through in front of square leg for a single. |
| 101.3 : L Gamage to Sharma, FOUR! The new ball is vanishing to all parts of the Feroz Shah Kotla. Gamage tests the pitch and bangs in another short delivery outside off. It sits up nicely for Sharma who swivels and pulls it with command over mid-wicket to find the fence again. |
| 101.4 : L Gamage to Sharma, Good length delivery outside off, Rohit leaves it alone. |
| 101.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, Fullish and length and swinging in from outside off, Rohit puts a confident stride forward and eases it to the cover region. |
| 101.6 : L Gamage to Sharma, Length delivery around off, Rohit leans ahead and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| DILRUWAN PERERA comes in for another spell. |
| In the last 6 overs, 32 runs have been scored off the second new ball. India are on the attack and they haven't let Lakmal and Gamage find any sort of rhythm. That has prompted a change and the veteran is back to roll his arm over. Sri Lanka need to find some inspiration from somewhere otherwise the Indian juggernaut will continue to roll on. |
| 102.1 : D Perera to Kohli, 1 run. |
| 102.2 : D Perera to Sharma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 102.3 : D Perera to Sharma, Nice looking shot from Rohit. Outside off, short off a length, Rohit cuts it to backward point for a couple of runs. Tidy work from the fielder there. |
| 102.4 : D Perera to R Sharma, Pitched it up, Sharma drives it through mid on for no run. |
| 102.5 : D Perera to Sharma, Back of a length ball, Sharma quickly on his back foot and punches it to pick up a run. |
| 102.6 : D Perera to Kohli, No run. |
| 103.1 : L Gamage to Sharma, Length ball outside off, left alone by Rohit. |
| 103.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, Length ball around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 103.3 : L Gamage to Sharma, This one is clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 103.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, Length delivery outside off, Kohli leans forward and taps it with an open bat face to point. |
| 103.5 : L Gamage to V Kohli, Kohli is having a bit of trouble around his off stump. Length delivery around off, seaming in off the deck. Kohli is caught inside the crease and tries to block it but gets an inside edge to his back pad. He was lucky that it didn't roll back to the stumps. |
| 103.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, He had absolutely smashed it but good fielding there! Back of a length and width on offer, Kohli slaps it towards point where Perera makes a good half-stop. He rings his hand in pain after that. |
| 104.1 : D Perera to Kohli, First false shot from Kohli against a spinner. Drifting towards the pads, Kohli clears his front leg and looks to whip it through mid-wicket but gets it off the inner half towards fine leg. A couple taken. |
| 104.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Plays this one with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 104.3 : D Perera to V Kohli, Tossed up outside off, Kohli drives it brilliantly towards sweeper cover where the fielder rushes to his right and saves a couple for his side. |
| 104.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Flighted delivery outside off, Kohli works it to mid-wicket. |
| 104.5 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 104.6 : D Perera to Sharma, On the pads, nudged around the corner for a run. |
| Drinks time. India have continued to score at a good click and are looking ominous at the moment. Virat Kohli is nearing his double century, which will be his back-to-back in Tests. He has entertained the crowd thoroughly and Sharma has provided him good support. The second new ball is being hit all around the park. Sri Lanka look clueless at the moment. Something spectacular, perhaps a brilliant piece of bowling and fielding might create an opening for them. However, have to say that the hosts |
| 105.1 : L Gamage to Sharma, On a length in the corridor of uncertainty, Rohit plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 105.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, Another delivery in the same channel, Sharma remains circumspect in approach and allows it to sail through to the keeper. |
| 105.3 : L Gamage to Sharma, back of a length this time, Sharma hangs off his back foot and defends this. |
| 105.4 : L Gamage to Sharma, Back of length ball, outside off, Sharma looks to cut it but it keeps low. Dickwella collects it on the bounce. |
| 105.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, Length ball, around off, Places it to point for nothing. |
| Gamage comes in running but suddenly withdraws. Maybe he missed his run up. |
| 105.6 : L Gamage to R Sharma, Outside off, edges it to gully. No run taken. |
| The physio comes on the field. |
| 106.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Tossed up on leg stump, Virat turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 106.2 : D Perera to Sharma, Drifting away from Rohit Sharma. He waits for it and dabs it behind point to rotate strike. |
| Oh ho! Just when Virat Kohli is on the verge of another double ton, a LBW review has been taken against him. Seems close to the naked eye. Is there an inside edge? |
| 106.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Not Out! Indeed, there is an inside edge. The crowd roars in delight! Slow through the air around off, Kohli strides forward to block it but gets wrapped on the pads. Sri Lanka appeal in unison but umpire Joel Wilson shakes his head. Chandimal has a thought about it and after having a look at his bowler and keeper, he challenges the decision. Time for the Snickometer. Well, there is a thick inside edge and the rest doesn't matter. |
| 106.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Floated outside off, driven hard to sweeper cover for a couple. |
| 106.5 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 106.6 : D Perera to Kohli, Loopy ball on middle and leg, Kohli nudges it to fine leg for a run and will retain strike. He moves to 198. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL gets the ball for another spell. Will he get the much needed break-through? |
| 107.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Back of length, Plays it to point, good save from the fielder there. Prevents a certain run. |
| 107.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Around off again, Kohli flicks it to mid-wicket region for a single. Looked like there was a double on offer but Kohli was satisfied with a single. Moves to 199 now. |
| 107.3 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 107.4 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Blocked of the front foot. |
| 107.5 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Sharma cuts this one to back ward point to give Kohli the strike. |
| 107.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, There it is! That's his 6th double hundred and he gets all of them in the last seventeen months. Virat Kohli you beauty! |
| 108.1 : D Perera to Sharma, Tossed up delivery, knocked down to long on for a single. |
| 108.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Floated delivery, eased back to the bowler. |
| 108.3 : D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! A fraction short and spinning down the leg side, Kohli goes deep in the crease and nudges it through fine leg to find the fence. |
| 108.4 : D Perera to Kohli, On middle and leg, clipped to square leg to rotate strike. |
| 108.5 : D Perera to Sharma, Outside leg stump, Sharma opts to pad it away. |
| 108.6 : D Perera to Sharma, Quicker and flatter on the stumps, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 109.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Short of a length delivery around off, Kohli stays back and taps it to short cover. |
| 0.0 : Another delay. The Sri Lankan players gather around and are discussing something as Kohli has a drink. After that, he is eating an energy bar. |
| 109.2 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Similar length delivery on middle and leg, Kohli moves inside the line and tucks it to fine leg to rotate strike. |
| 109.3 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Short of a length delivery outside off, Sharma pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 109.4 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Similar delivery outside off, tapped with an open bat face to the point region. |
| 109.5 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Rohit opts to stay back and pushes it to mid on. |
| 109.6 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Full length delivery around off, Sharma puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 110.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Floated on middle and leg, Kohli flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 110.2 : D Perera to Sharma, Pitches it outside leg stump, Rohit is happy to pad it away. |
| 110.3 : D Perera to Sharma, Rohit takes a couple of steps down the track to counter this one but the ball spins away to ping him on the pads. |
| 110.4 : D Perera to Sharma, Sharma plays the tossed up delivery with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 110.5 : D Perera to Sharma, Shortish in length, Sharma tucks it to short mid-wicket. |
| 110.6 : D Perera to Sharma, Fullish delivery around the pads, Sharma sweeps it hard to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 111.1 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Length ball from Lakmal, Sharma hangs on his back foot and jabs it to the ground. |
| 111.2 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Slice from Sharma. The ball moves quickly to the fielder at backward point and he does well to keep it to one. This ball is wide outside off, and Sharma lashes onto it in a flash. |
| 111.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli,Back foot punch from Kohli. |
| 111.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, No run. |
| 111.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 111.6 : S Lakmal to V Kohli, A short delivery, pulled away from above his head to the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 112.1 : D Perera to Kohli, On middle and leg, nudged to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 112.2 : D Perera to Sharma, Tossed up on a fullish length on the pads, swept away to fine leg for a single. |
| 112.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli clips this one with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 112.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Leans forward to this one and eases it to deep mid-wicket for a single. That brings up the 100-run stand between the duo. Consecutive century stands for them. |
| 112.5 : D Perera to Sharma, Loopy delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 112.6 : D Perera to Sharma, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Tossed up delivery on off, Sharma gets his dancing shoes on and tonks it down the ground for a maximum. Hits the sightscreen, that was straight as an arrow. |
| LAKSHAN SANDAKAN gets his chance to try and spin a web to this Indian batting. |
| 113.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Short ball, pulled away to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 113.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Uppish delivery, driven to mid on for a run. |
| 113.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Similar shot this time from Kohli, drives it to mid on to rotate strike. |
| 113.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Fuller in length, Kohli flicks it to mid-wicket for another run. |
| 113.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Full in length, wide outside off, this ball keeps low and Sharma decides not to play it. |
| 113.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 114.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Down the leg side, Kohli goes for the sweep but wears it on the pads. |
| 114.2 : D Perera to Kohli, On middle and leg, turning away. Kohli stays back and taps it to mid-wicket. |
| 114.3 : D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! That could have been converted into a catch! Around the pads, Kohli tries to tickle it but gets only some bat to it. The ball flies towards Mathews at leg gully. He fails to react in time and the ball goes past has right side and through to the fence. Sri Lanka need to be alert on the field. You can't afford to let Kohli away. |
| Some news comes in for Sadeera Samarawickrama. He was hit on the helmet yesterday and is he is still under medical supervision. He won't take the field today. He might return tomorrow if he recovers. |
| 114.4 : D Perera to Kohli, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 114.5 : D Perera to Kohli, Played with the spin to fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 114.6 : D Perera to Kohli, Tossed up delivery, Virat leans forward and plays it with soft hands to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 115.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Yorked him up. Unusual from a spinner. Kohli does well to put his bat down quickly. |
| 115.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, FOUR! Should have done better after getting to the ball and saving it at first attempt. Dilruwan the culprit. Tossed it up, Kohli uses his wrist and flicks it to mid-wicket. Dilruwan dives to save the boundary, he pulls the ball back but it goes to the boundary anyways. He will be disappointed as he is usually a good fielder. |
| 115.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, full length, driven to covers for a single. |
| 115.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Outside leg, Sharma sweeps this to fine leg for a single. |
| 115.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 115.6 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, Tossed up, Kohli drives it to mid on for a single. |
| Another change in bowling. Sri Lanka's most economical spin bowler in this game, Dhananjaya de Silva comes into the attack. |
| 116.1 : de Silva to Sharma, Loopy delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 116.2 : de Silva to Sharma, Going away with the arm, Rohit places it deftly past the keeper towards third man for a couple of runs. |
| 116.3 : de Silva to Sharma, Camps back to the flatter delivery and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 116.4 : de Silva to Sharma, Fullish delivery around off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 116.5 : de Silva to Sharma, Rohit is nimble on his feet and works it with the spin to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 116.6 : de Silva to Kohli, Slow through the air, eased to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 117.1 : L Sandakan to Sharma, FOUR! Well played! Wide outside off and Rohit won't miss out on such loose deliveries. Short delivery, Sharma camps back and guides it deftly to the third man fence. |
| 117.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 117.3 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, Tossed up, Sharma drives it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 117.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, FOUR! He does this on a regular basis with a lot of success. Wide again outside off, Sharma opens the face of his bat like he has done so often during the course of play. Big gap between the fielder at deep point and third man and the ball races to the fence. A boundary results. |
| Rohit Sharma is ruled out caught behind. He decides to review it, quite an immediate reaction from him. However, seems there is edge, certainly the body language of the Sri Lankan players suggest so. Let's find out... |
| 117.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, OUT! Rohit is gone on what turns out to be the last ball of the session. That was a waste of a review. Short and wide outside off, Sharma tries to cut it but seems to have got an outside edge and Dickwella takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. The Lankans go up in a confident appeal and the umpire rules it out. Sharma opts to challenge the decision immediately. The Snickometer shows there is a faint spike. The ball actually brushed the bottom part of the bat before |
| Session Highlights - 27.5 overs, 129 runs, 1 wicket. A flawless session for India apart from Rohit Sharma's dismissal on the last delivery before lunch. Sandakan has bowled well and he deserved his third wicket. Before that, it was a tremendous display of strokeplay from the duo of Kohli and Sharma. The former started where he left from yesterday and has gone on to score a back-to-back double ton, also his 6th in Test cricket scoring them in a span of 17 months. |
| The visitors are struggling to say the least. Runs are leaking from both ends and they haven't been able to find an answer to stem the run-flow. It looks all gloomy for the tourists. They need to do something spectacular to get back into the contest. The Indian skipper has his maiden triple century in sight. Can the Sri Lankans stop him? Join us for the second session in a while. |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ... |
| Welcome back! We were delighted with some graceful and beautiful strokes before the break. The man behind it all, VIRAT KOHLI is still unbeaten on 225. He will resume his knock as RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN joins him in the middle. LAKSHAN SANDAKAN will complete the over by bowling the last delivery. Here we go... |
| 117.6 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Ashwin clips it towards mid on. |
| The players on the field have masks on their faces. Delhi in recent times has been notorious for having a high pollution level and hence the protection perhaps. Strangely though, some players aren't covering their mouths and noses and are seen having the mask hanging on their necks. LAHIRU GAMAGE, meanwhile, runs in to bowl this over. |
| 118.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, On a length outside off, Kohli punches it through covers for a single. |
| 118.2 : L Gamage to Ashwin, Ashwin is off the mark with a flick. Gets it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 118.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! That's a shot of the man batting on over a double hundred runs under his belt. Gamage hurls this on a length angling into the batsman. Kohli stands tall and flicks it through mid-wicket. The timing was such that no fielder stood a chance of cutting that off. |
| 118.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, This ball is pushed towards covers. |
| 118.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, Why would you play at that? Length delivery outside off, Kohli looks to flay it through the off side away from the body but misses the ball. He doesn't need to go fishing at those. |
| 118.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. |
| The umpires have got together in the middle. They seem to point skywards as they have a chat. Must be something to do with the climate as it still is very hazy out there. |
| 119.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 119.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli eases this through mid on for a single. Moves to 232 now. |
| 119.3 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Ashwin gets ahead and blocks it watchfully. |
| Another strange thing. While some of the Sri Lankan players are seen wearing the face masks, the Indian batters don't have that on. Doesn't pollution affect the Indians? |
| 119.4 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. |
| 119.5 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Flicked away towards square leg. |
| 119.6 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Ashwin drives this through covers and picks up a brace. |
| 120.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! What a shot! Absolute authority displayed there. Gets Kohli to a new Test best score - 236. This one's on a length outside off, Virat walks down to convert it into a half colley. Drives it powerfully through the gap between mid off and covers for a boundary. The ball flashed away before anybody could move. Also brings up 1000 Test runs for Kohli in 2017, second Indian after Pujara to do so. |
| 120.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Now Kohli guides it past gully with an angled bat for a run. |
| 120.3 : L Gamage to Ashwin, Length delivery outside off, Ashwin feels for it but misses. The ball wasn't far away from the edge of the bat. |
| 120.4 : L Gamage to Ashwin, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 120.5 : L Gamage to Ashwin, Outside off, left alone. |
| 120.6 : L Gamage to Ashwin, Ashwin guides this one towards gully. |
| 121.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Around middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket to jog to the other end. |
| 121.2 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Floated around off, Ashwin lunges forward and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 121.3 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Sandakan serves it on a fuller length outside off, Ashwin guides it through point for one. |
| 121.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Flicked away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 121.5 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| Murali Kartik observes a reason for Sandakan being very inconsistent. He says that the chinaman's leading arm doesn't have a consistent pattern of rolling over. Hence the landing isn't always on target. This makes the bowler be erratic. |
| 121.6 : L Sandakan to Ashwin, Ashwin keeps it out off the front foot. |
| Another chat. This time Nigel Llong, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella are the men in focus. The air quality in the Indian capital isn't at a decent level and this has the players concerned, perhaps. |
| 122.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Kohli stands back and presents a straight bat in stonewalling that. |
| 122.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, A low full toss outside off, Kohli belts it through covers and ambles to the other end. |
| 122.3 : L Gamage to Ashwin, Now Ashwin tries playing at a ball which he could have well left alone. Length ball outside off, Ashwin looks to slash it but misses. |
| Lahiru Gamage's gingerly movements denote that he seems sick. He's down on his hunches, even as the physio is seen rushing out quickly. This will raise the levels of the talks about playing amidst the polluted environment. The on-air commentators also inform us that such a scenario hasn't happened in the sport as yet - that of play getting abandoned or held up due to polluted environment. |
| Now even the Sri Lankan team physio is seen having a word with the umpires. Chandimal doesn't look pleased to be playing in such conditions. But the umpires show no signs of halting play. Now they are taking the Indian batters into the conversation as well. Kohli, being the local lad, is seen explaining something to Chandimal as well. As these images are flashing, the commentators on air talk about there being no express rule stating the plan of action in case of pollution as there is in case of |
| More than the runs on the board it is about the players' health. THE THIRD UMPIRE HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SITUATION IS BEING MONITORED, informs Russel Arnold on air. Now even the match referee, David Boon, is involved in some discussions with a doctor and Anil Chaudhary, the third umpire. Post that the referee is seen communicating something over the microphone to the on-field umpires. |
| As the umpires are seen having an animated chat with Dinesh Chandimal, who seems furious because the players aren't taken off the field, a huge cheers engulfs the Kotla. This is because Virat Kohli is seen taking off his helmet and lying on his back. |
| Now the noise around the ground rises as the play is all set to get underway. Willingly or unwillingly, the Lankan players take their respective positions on the field. Gamage will run in with the ball. |
| 122.4 : L Gamage to R Ashwin, OUT! What an anticlimax! As seen often in the game, a break affects the concentration of the batsman and in this case, Ashwin is the one paying the price for that. Gamage lands it on a length outside off, Ashwin plays it from the crease but away from the body. He looks to pick up an easy run with a glide and that signs his fate. Ends up getting a thick outside edge that is snaffled up by Perera at gully. Sri Lanka barely celebrate even as Ashwin walks away with a de |
| WRIDDHIMAN SAHA walks out to bat at the fall of the sixth Indian wicket. |
| 122.5 : L Gamage to Saha, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 122.6 : L Gamage to Saha, Outside off, left alone. |
| It's all happening now! Sandakan gets some hand on the ball as the ball hits the stumps at the non-striker's end owing to the powerful drive from Kohli. The Lankans appeal for a run out against Saha. The umpire refers it upstairs. Saha looks to be safe. |
| 123.1 : Sandakan to Kohli, The huge cheers on the ground accompanies the decision flashed on the big screen - NOT OUT! Sandakan comes round the wicket and floats it around off. Kohli charges down and belts it straight back. The power in that stroke is such that the ball deflects off the bowler's hand, hits the stumps at his end and rolls towards long on. The Lankans put in an appeal even as the batters take one. |
| 123.2 : L Sandakan to Saha, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 123.3 : L Sandakan to Saha, Saha has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. He gets off the mark now. |
| 123.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Blocked with a straight bat off the back foot. |
| 123.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, This is tucked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 123.6 : L Sandakan to Saha, Saha keeps it out from the crease. |
| 124.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Now Kohli! Almost loses his wicket here. Gamage lands it on a length around off, Kohli looks to work it to the on side. The ball, though, stops a bit on the surface and ends up taking the leading edge of the bat. Lands just in front of covers. |
| 124.2 : L Gamage to Kohli, Virat drives this through the cover region for a single. |
| 124.3 : L Gamage to Saha, Bowled outside off, shouldered arms to by Wriddhi. |
| The artificial lights in the ground are seen taking their effect now. Meanwhile, Gamage again looks to be in some discomfort and is down on his knees. This makes the visiting physio rush out to the centre. Very unwise for play to continue in such conditions at the cost of the health of the players. Gamage is off the field and SURANGA LAKMAL will complete the over now. |
| 124.4 : S Lakmal to Saha, Lakmal begins with a length delivery outside off, Saha finds the point fielder with the push. |
| 124.5 : S Lakmal to Saha, Fuller outside off, left alone. |
| 124.6 : S Lakmal to Saha, Bouncer in line of the stumps, Saha ducks and lets it go to the keeper. |
| 125.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli punches it towards covers. |
| 125.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Loopy delivery on the stumps, driven powerfully back to where it came from. Lakshan gets his hand out and stops it partially but no run results. |
| Is that it for Kohli? At least the on-field umpire thinks so. The Indian skipper has been ruled out LBW. He has a chat with his partner and signals a 'T' for the review. Should be gone unless an inside edge saves him. |
| 125.3 : Sandakan to Kohli, OUT! That's it for the Indian skipper then - departs for 243! India lose Kohli as well as the sole review that they had before this. Sandakan comes round the wicket and floats it around off. The ball spins in sharply. Kohli goes back to flick it but is surprised by the spin that beats him and strikes him on the back leg in front of the stumps. On appealing, Nigel Llong upholds it. Kohli wears a surprised look on his face as he widens his eyes post that decision. Has a |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA walks out to the middle next. What's in his mind? Will he have some fun out there? Hard to guess anything from his body language. |
| 125.4 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Flatter around off, Jadeja keeps it down hurriedly from the crease. |
| 125.5 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, FOUR! Jadeja's intentions are out there on the advertisement hoarding! He will go for his shots. Sandakan bowls a half-tracker around off, Jadeja goes back and pulls it aerially over mid-wicket for a one-bounce boundary. |
| 125.6 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 126.1 : S Lakmal to Saha, Saha drives it through point and gets a brace for that. |
| 126.2 : S Lakmal to Saha, Bouncer in line of the stumps, ducked under by Saha. |
| 126.3 : S Lakmal to Saha, Saha shows a straight bat as he blocks it from the crease. |
| 126.4 : S Lakmal to Saha, Outside off, left alone. |
| 126.5 : S Lakmal to Saha, Another bouncer by Lakmal, Saha has nothing to do with that. |
| Oh dear! Now even Suranga Lakmal is seen walking off the field. The Sri Lankan team manager is seen walking to the middle to have a talk with the umpires. Seeing this, even Ravi Shastri dashes out to the middle, before the situation is taken under control by the umpires by sending both of them off the field. DILRUWAN PERERA will bowl the last ball of the over. |
| 126.6 : D Perera to Saha, Saha drives it through mid on for a single. |
| 127.1 : L Sandakan to W Saha, Flatter and shorter on the stumps, pulled away towards mid-wicket. |
| 127.2 : L Sandakan to Saha, Saha lunges forward and blocks it. |
| 127.3 : L Sandakan to Saha, Served outside off, Saha goes back and punches it through cover and crosses over to the other end. |
| 127.4 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Jadeja punches this to long on for one run. |
| 127.5 : L Sandakan to Saha, FOUR! Saha makes merry and collects runs, not in the manner he would have liked though. Sandakan drops it short outside off, Saha goes back and looks to cut. Gets a bottom edge past slip and the ball runs away to the third man fence. |
| Dinesh Chandimal isn't happy there. Not sure what's the reason. The on-air commentators observe that there are ONLY 10 PLAYERS ON THE GROUND! Yes, you read that right. Apparently, no one walked in as a replacement for Lakmal. Samarawickrama is out already, Gamage and Lakmal walked out a while back. Harsha Bhogle jokes on air that among the Lankans, only Russel Arnold looks fit and will have to take the field now. |
| Well! This is the most absurd of declarations I have ever seen! Kohli has had enough of this halt in play and he DECLARES WITH INDIA 536/7! If facial expressions are anything to go by, this isn't one of the most pleasant declarations either. 'If the Sri Lankans aren't willing to bowl, let us have a go at them with the cherry' seemed to be his signal from the dressing room. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team physio and fielding coach had quickly changed to whites to take field as substitutes for them |
| What has the story been about so far? All about one man - Virat Kohli. He looked in absolute control from ball one and eventually fell to the spin of Sandakan. As much as it should be owed to the bowler, the talks will also revolve around how the incessant breaks affected his momentum. |
| Kohli's 283-run partnership with Vijay set the tone for the tall Indian first innings score. Who knows, it could have been even taller if not for the declaration. Rahane missed out on getting among the runs yet again while Rohit Sharma stroked his way to an entertaining half century. |
| For the Sri Lankans, the wrist spinner Sandakan was the pick of the bowlers. He picked up a 4-fer, not before being taken to all parts of the ground by the Indians. Their bowling will have another storyline to it though - that of the seamers walking away due to health concerns amidst the hazy conditions on the ground. Whatever be the case, this doesn't give the tourists respite from being out there. If they didn't want to have 11 on the field, 2 will have to walk out to face a barrage of fast bo |
| 0.1 : M Shami to Karunaratne, OUT! Dimuth Karunaratne goes out quicker than the time he took to walk out to the middle! What a start for India and Mohammed Shami! The entire Feroz Shah Kotla screams to join the Indians in celebrations of that wicket. Shami steams in from round the wicket and fires this on a length around off. The ball bounces a tad more as Dimuth gets squared up in his defense. The ball doesn't miss taking the edge of his bat before settling into the safe gloves of Saha. Shami h |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA walks in to bat in the second ball of their innings. Remember, this is his first game of the series and what a time to make your way out. This will test his character now. Three slips and a gully to welcome him. |
| 0.2 : M Shami to Silva, Hello! What kind of shot is that first up? Shami bowls a short delivery outside off, Dhananjaya, as if he's batting out there since ages, looks to take him on with a pull. The ball isn't too far from the edge of the blade. Saha thought he had nicked it and puts in a sole appeal. No edge there though. |
| 0.3 : M Shami to de Silva, De Silva drives it towards mid on. |
| 0.4 : M Shami to Silva, On the pads, flicked towards square leg. |
| 0.5 : M Shami to Silva, Finally sanity shown by the batter. This one is outside off, Dhananjaya shoulders arms to let this one go unharmed to the keeper. |
| 0.6 : M Shami to Silva, Strays down the leg side, de Silva misses the flick. |
| ISHANT SHARMA will bowl from the other end. Interestingly, DILRUWAN PERERA will be the one facing him as Samarawickrama isn't fit to bat as yet. Interesting choice of opener from the visitors. |
| 1.1 : I Sharma to Perera, Sharma starts off with a gentle outswinger outside off, Perera doesn't bother putting bat to that. |
| 1.2 : I Sharma to Perera, Fuller outside off, Perera drives it through covers for a brace. Sri Lanka and Perera get their first runs on the board. |
| 1.3 : I Sharma to Perera, FOUR! Not the right lines from Ishant. Strays on the pads with this length ball. Perera stays in the crease and flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary. This is the first one of this innings. |
| 1.4 : I Sharma to Perera, FOUR! A bit more authoritative this time from Perera. Fuller outside off, Dilruwan leans into the stroke and drives it through covers. The new ball speeds away to the fence in no time. |
| 1.5 : I Sharma to Perera, Perera stays in the crease and defends that. |
| 1.6 : I Sharma to Perera, A dot ball to end the over. Perera blocks this from within the crease. 10 runs off the over from Ishant. |
| 2.1 : Shami to Silva, A huge appeal from the Indians! Shami hurls this on a length around middle, the ball is angled into the batsman. Dhananjaya looks to flick it but misses and the ball hits his pads and lobs to gully. There were two noises there as the Indians appeal their hearts out. The umpire, however, stays put. The hosts think about the review. |
| 2.2 : M Shami to Silva, Another appeal, turned down! This one is much fuller from Shami, landing around middle and leg and going further down. De Silva misses the flick and wears it on the front pad. The Indians appeal but after the umpire's decision agree with the same and move on. |
| 2.3 : M Shami to Silva, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 2.4 : M Shami to Silva, The batsman has been struck on the thigh-pad. |
| 2.5 : M Shami to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 2.6 : M Shami to Silva, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 3.1 : I Sharma to Perera, Length delivery outside off, Perera hangs his bat out at that. Gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 3.2 : I Sharma to Perera, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 3.3 : I Sharma to Perera, Perera punches this off the back foot. |
| 3.4 : I Sharma to Perera, Dilruwan presents a straight bat face as he keeps it out. |
| 3.5 : I Sharma to Perera, Perera looks to slash it away to the off side and only makes contact with thin air. |
| 3.6 : I Sharma to Perera, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. |
| 4.1 : Shami to Silva, Howzzzat! No, says the umpire. Shami spears it on a length around off, de Silva is beaten for pace as he looks to defend it. Gets hit on the front pad. Shami almost starts running in celebration while appealing only to be halted by the umpire's negation, who indicates that there is an inside edge there. Hold on! There isn't any bat involved as seen from the replays. What's more. Hawk Eye returns three reds too. So if not for the umpire's signal, the Indians would have review |
| 4.2 : M Shami to D Perera, Perera taps it in front of mid on and sets off for a run. The fielder there has a shy at the striker's end but misses. The batter would have been in though. A run is completed. |
| 4.3 : M Shami to Perera, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They manage to come back for the second. No Ball has been signaled by the umpire as Shami has overstepped. |
| M Shami to D Perera, Edged but just short! Shami hurls it just outside off, Perera hangs his bat out there. The ball takes the edge and lands just short of first slip. Close shave! |
| 4.4 : M Shami to Perera, The batsman goes after a wide one but misses. |
| 4.5 : M Shami to Perera, Perera looks to defend it off the front foot but gets it off the outer half towards gully. |
| 4.6 : M Shami to Perera, Perera defends this from the crease. |
| 5.1 : Sharma to Silva, OUT! Another one bites the dust! Sri Lanka's inability to see off even a small period of play is appalling to say the least. Ishant Sharma delivers a nippy delivery around a good length outside off. It moves in after pitching. Dhananjaya de Silva has been hanging on the back foot ever since he came out to bat today. Does so yet again and pays the price. He looks to defend it from the crease but is beaten on the inside and gets rapped on the back pad. The hosts appeal and um |
| 0.0 : The experienced campaigner in the side, ANGELO MATHEWS strides out to the middle next. There's no better time for him to get among the runs and show his importance for the side than this one. |
| 5.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews defends this from the crease. |
| 5.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Outside off, left alone. |
| 5.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Another delivery outside off, left alone by AM. |
| 5.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 5.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! Edged but runs! Length ball outside off, Mathews gets it off the outer half. The ball goes through the gap between point and gully for a boundary. That's TEA, DAY 2! |
| An action-filled session of Test cricket! India are well and truly bossing the game right now. Sri Lanka had to survive a tricky period of play before this interval but they failed to do so. The Indian seamers came out all guns blazing and were almost literally breathing fire. The first delivery of the Sri Lankan innings saw Dimuth Karunaratne depart, courtesy a brilliant delivery from Shami. He was bowling in right areas and even had Dhananjaya de Silva in trouble before Ishant got rid of him. |
| Earlier, the session saw regular breaks due to the polluted environmental conditions which affected the visitors greatly. Only 10 overs were possible in the Indian innings post the lunch break. That period saw India lose a couple of wickets, which involved that of the Indian skipper as well. After having had enough of these stoppages, Kohli called his batsmen back in the hut to signal declaration. |
| Will this Tea break help Sri Lanka put up some resistance? One thing seems sure. It will help the Indian pace battery to charge themselves up and come out with more vigor and have another go at the visiting batsmen today. Join us at 1433 local time for the resumption. |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session. 44 overs are still left in the day but the light is already deteriorating. In all probability, only fewer overs will be bowled. Three slips and a gully in place. Mohammed Shami will charge in. Here we go.... |
| 6.1 : M Shami to Perera, FOUR! Perera is playing with freedom! Perhaps the right mindset to play with. Fullish delivery outside off, Perera leans ahead and goes over cover-point to find the fence. |
| 6.2 : M Shami to Perera, Fractionally overpitched on off, Dilruwan pats it back to the bowler. |
| 6.3 : M Shami to Perera, On a length in the corridor of uncertainty, Perera puts his head down and defends it with a high elbow towards cover-point. |
| 6.4 : M Shami to D Perera, In the air... but safe! That almost carried to the fielder. Fuller length ball in line of the stumps, Perera is early into his stroke and ends up chipping it. Jadeja runs to his right but he manages to take it only on the bounce. |
| 6.5 : M Shami to Perera, Good bowling from Ishant Sharma! Good length delivery around off, a bit of away seam movement on that. Perera gets squared up but manages to block it off the outer half of the bat. |
| 6.6 : M Shami to D Perera, Dropped! That was an easy chance, in fact it is a misjudgement from Dhawan. On a driving length outside off, Perera goes for an expansive drive but ends up getting an outside edge. It is flying towards the slip cordon. Dhawan at second slip tries to grab it with hands to his left but spills it eventually. That was going straight into the hands of Pujara at first slip. Perhaps, the two of them were standing very close to each other and that might have resulted in Dhawan' |
| Kohli moves to second slip. |
| 7.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 7.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Back of a length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 7.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fullish in length around off, played with soft hands to mid off. |
| 7.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short of a length around off, Mathews pokes at it and gets it off the outer half past cover. A run taken. |
| 7.5 : I Sharma to Perera, Sharma loses his radar and slips it down the leg side, Dilruwan misses his flick. |
| 7.6 : I Sharma to D Perera, FOUR! Delightful! Fractionally overpitched around off, Perera leans into it and strokes it sweetly through extra cover to find the fence. He is playing the drives really well. |
| 8.1 : M Shami to Mathews, That's a peach of a delivery! Back of a length delivery around off, hits the deck and seams away after pitching. Mathews fishes at it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 8.2 : M Shami to Mathews, Brilliant bowling from Shami, he is on song. Almost a replica of the previous delivery. Mathews is jittery as he is foxed once again. He was lucky to not nick that one. |
| 8.3 : M Shami to A Mathews, Fullish delivery on middle, eased to mid on. |
| 8.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Indecision from Mathews! Shortish delivery outside off, Mathews tries to duck under it initially but fails to take his bat out. Fends it off towards covers. He is living dangerously. |
| 8.5 : M Shami to Mathews, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 8.6 : M Shami to Mathews, On a length, shaping in. Angelo tucks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews gets beaten again! Poor cricket from him. This one is wide outside off and Mathews fishes at it again and misses. |
| 9.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Another brute of a delivery! Good length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, moves away after pitching. Mathews has no option but to play at it. Gets foxed though. |
| Third slip in place now. Rohit Sharma is the man there. India on attacking mode. |
| 9.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, DROPPED! That is as easy a chance you will get at this level. Good length delivery around off, holding its line. Mathews pokes at it yet again and this time, the ball catches the outside edge of the bat. It is flying towards Kohli at second slip who is a bit late to react. Moves to his left and bends low but fails to hold onto it. He is down on the ground and is really disappointed. No excuse for that one. Mathews is leading a charmed life. |
| 9.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fullish on middle and leg, eased to mid-wicket. |
| 9.5 : I Sharma to A Mathews, On a length around off, Angelo fiddles with it and gets it off the outer half towards first slip. |
| 9.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.1 : M Shami to Perera, Back of a length outside off, played off the outer half to point. |
| 10.2 : M Shami to Perera, Fullish in length, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 10.3 : M Shami to Perera, FOUR! Nicely done! Fuller in length outside off, Perera drives it on the up through cover-point and the ball races to the fence. |
| 10.4 : M Shami to Perera, On a length, Perera covers the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 10.5 : M Shami to Perera, Bouncer this time, Perera ducks under it. |
| 10.6 : M Shami to Perera, On a length on off, Dilruwan defends it solidly from the crease. |
| 11.1 : I Sharma to A Mathews, The edges keep coming! In the zone of apprehension, Mathews gets opened up and flirts with it and gets an outside edge which falls short of Rahane at gully. He seems in absolute disarray at the moment. |
| 11.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Full length delivery on middle, eased off the front to mid on. |
| 11.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! That will come as a relief to Mathews! Sharma slips this one down the leg side, Mathews tucks it nicely through square leg for a boundary. |
| 11.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! This is sublime! Timing and grace written all over that one. Fuller in length on off, Mathews creams it through mid off. Dhawan hares after it but only comes second best. |
| 11.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 11.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! Third boundary in the over, all scored by Mathews. This will be a confidence booster. Fullish on middle, Mathews comes forward and strokes it past a diving Ashwin at mid on to find the fence. 12 from the over. |
| Time for spin. Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. More importantly, the man with the safe pair of hands, Ajinkya Rahane is stationed at first slip. |
| 12.1 : R Jadeja to Perera, Fullish on middle, eased to mid on. |
| 12.2 : R Jadeja to Perera, A loud appeal for an LBW is turned down! Quicker in pace around off, Perera skips down the track but fails to defend it. Wears it on the pads and Jadeja puts up a confident appeal. The umpire stays unmoved though. Replays show it would have missed the stumps. |
| 12.3 : R Jadeja to Perera, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.4 : R Jadeja to Perera, Tossed up outside off, hit hard to extra cover. |
| 12.5 : R Jadeja to Perera, Plays this one with soft hands to covers. |
| 12.6 : R Jadeja to Perera, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Fires this at 87 kph but down the leg side, Perera just uses of the pace of the delivery and tickles it past the keeper for a boundary. |
| 13.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews' trouble around the off stump continues. In the zone outside off, Mathews plays it away from the body compulsively and and gets beaten. |
| 13.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 13.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fullish delivery, nudged to mid-wicket. |
| 13.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Back of a length ball on middle, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 13.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short of a length delivery, Angelo gets on top of the bounce and blocks it stoutly. |
| 13.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, On a length outside off, pushed off the outer half to gully. |
| 14.1 : R Jadeja to Perera, Floated delivery, Perera lunges forward in defense. |
| 14.2 : R Jadeja to Perera, Another appeal for an LBW is denied! Jadeja watches Perera use his feet and hence shortens the length. It hits him on the pad first and then the bat. Indians are confident but the umpire shakes his head. Replays show that the impact was umpire's call as the point of contact on the pads was more that three meters and would have gone over the stumps. |
| 14.3 : R Jadeja to Perera, FOUR! Runs continue to flow from Perera's bat. Tossed up delivery, Perera creams it through covers. Dhawan from the same region hares after it but once again fails to stop the boundary. |
| 14.4 : R Jadeja to Perera, Works it with the angle towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 14.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, That turned and gripped! That will create doubts in mind of Mathews who is already fidgety. Quicker through the air on off, Mathews prods forward to defend but gets beaten by the away turn. |
| 15.1 : I Sharma to Perera, FOUR. |
| 15.2 : I Sharma to Perera, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Russel Arnold and Mathew Hayden make a good analysis. The reason why Perera is struggling is due to his lack of footwork. He plays away from the body with minimal foot movement and his head position is not correct. As a result, false strokes are induced. He has already been dropped twice in the slip region. |
| 15.3 : I Sharma to Perera, Shortish delivery around the pads, tucked away around the corner for a run. |
| 15.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fullish delivery, patted to mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Stays back to the length delivery and keeps it out watchfully. |
| 15.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Back of a length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 16.1 : R Jadeja to Perera, Quick through the air, kept out nicely. |
| 16.2 : R Jadeja to Perera, Arm delivery, Perera advances down the track but gets hit on the pads. |
| 16.3 : R Jadeja to Perera, Fullish delivery, eased off the front foot down the track. |
| 16.4 : R Jadeja to Perera, Perera whacks this one and hits Murali Vijay straight on the pads at silly point. |
| 16.5 : R Jadeja to Perera, FOUR! Hit with authority! Slow through the air, Perera dances down the track and lifts it over the bowler for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : R Jadeja to Perera, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| Change of ends for Mohammed Shami. |
| 17.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Back of a length on middle, nudged to mid-wicket. |
| 17.2 : M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, Mathews stays well-balanced and drives it past the outstretched right hand of Shami and races to the fence. |
| 17.3 : M Shami to Mathews, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 17.4 : M Shami to Mathews, On a length outside off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 17.5 : M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! Streaky runs! On a good length outside off, Mathews pushes at it but gets it off the outer half past the gap between third slip and gully for another boundary. |
| 17.6 : M Shami to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 18.1 : R Jadeja to Perera, Fullish delivery, eased back to Jadeja. |
| 18.2 : R Jadeja to Perera, Similar delivery, jammed out nicely. |
| 18.3 : R Jadeja to Perera, The slider this time, around the pads. Perera looks to clip it away but is hit on the pads. |
| Review time! The Indians think, discuss and ponder and eventually decide to review the LBW decision against Dilruwan Perera. |
| 18.4 : Jadeja to Perera, OUT! Judicious use of the review from India! Jadeja strikes. He was causing problems for the veteran and he finally gets the better of him. Jadeja spots Perera use his feet once more and bowls the arm delivery. It skids on, beats the defense of Perera and pings him on the front pad. Up go the Indians in unison and Nigel Llong after thinking a bit shakes his head. Earlier as well, he had adjudged him not out as he was down the track and the three meter rule saved the batsm |
| Time for drinks. Meanwhile, the skipper, Dinesh Chandimal strides out to bat. He played well in the last Test but he needs to do much more than that in this game. Sri Lanka are in deep trouble. |
| 18.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, In line of the stumps, blocked watchfully. |
| 18.6 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Eased to covers this time. |
| 19.1 : M Shami to Mathews, No run. |
| 19.2 : M Shami to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 19.3 : M Shami to Mathews, Good length delivery on off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 19.4 : M Shami to A Mathews, Fuller in length this time, Mathews pushes at it but gets an inside edge through square leg. Two runs taken. |
| 19.5 : M Shami to Mathews, This fullish delivery is eased to mid on. |
| 19.6 : M Shami to Mathews, Full length ball on off, eased off the front foot to mid off. |
| 20.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fired in on off, tucked to mid-wicket. |
| 20.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Similar delivery, Chandimal looks to whips it but gets it off the inner half towards short fine leg. |
| 20.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Silly point has moved to short leg. |
| 20.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, A bit slower in pace, kept out. |
| 20.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Quicker on off, blocked nicely. |
| 20.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Very full on middle, jammed to covers. |
| 21.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Almost another wicket! Shami bangs in a bouncer outside off, Mathews goes for the pull but fails to get on top of the bounce. His bottom hand also comes off and the ball lobs in the air towards wide mid on. The fielder backtracks but can only see it fall down on the ground. |
| 21.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 21.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fullish delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 21.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, 2 runs. |
| 21.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, No run. |
| 21.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, No run. |
| 22.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, No run. |
| 22.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Quick and flat, kept out. |
| 22.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, This fullish delivery is eased to mid off. |
| 22.4 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, Similar delivery, tapped to the same region. |
| 22.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, On the pads, worked past short leg for a run. |
| Ishant Sharma is back on. |
| 23.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short of a length delivery, blocked off the back foot. |
| 23.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, On a length this time, Mathews covers the line and blocks it. |
| 23.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Oh, so close! Back of a length delivery outside off, keeps low. Mathews shapes for the cut but ends up getting a bottom edge that rolls past the stumps and towards the keeper. He could have easily chopped that back on. |
| 23.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Another nervy moment! Sharma has been troubling Mathews a lot. In the corridor of uncertainty, Angelo fishes at it and is too late to withdraw his bat. Gets beaten convincingly. |
| 23.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short of a length delivery, blocked watchfully. |
| 23.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Nippy delivery at 140 clicks in the zone of apprehension. Mathews keeps his bat inside the line this time and lets it go. A testing comeback over from Ishant. |
| 24.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 24.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Loopy once again, Chandimal lunges forward in defense. |
| 24.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Drifting in towards Chandimal who eases it to short mid-wicket. |
| 24.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Clips this one nicely through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 24.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Drifting in towards middle and leg, Chandimal clears his front leg and bunts it to covers. |
| A slight delay. The fourth umpire runs in and has a chat with Joel Wilson. There is an issue behind the sightscreen. The Sri Lankan batsmen are getting distracted. The flag that is being waved might be the factor. The umpires are also telling the spectators to quieten down. |
| 25.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Length delivery around off, Mathews covers the line and defends it solidly. |
| 25.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Similar length delivery in the off stump zone, Mathews is a bit tentative and gets it off the outer half of the bat to gully. |
| 25.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fullish in length outside off, a confident front foot push to mid off. |
| 25.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! Lovely hands from Mathews! Fullish delivery and straying on the pads, Mathews clips it nonchalantly through square leg. The substitute, Vijay Shankar, covers a lot of ground to his left but fails to stop it. |
| 25.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is the third time in the innings that Sharma has conceded consecutive boundaries points out my colleague. Fullish delivery around off, Mathews strides forward and strokes it past mid off to find the fence. |
| 25.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Outside off, left alone. 8 from the over. |
| 26.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly. |
| 26.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 26.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Darted in on off, Chandimal blocks it watchfully. |
| 26.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Another solid front foot defense from Chandimal. |
| 26.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| Time for Ravichandran Ashwin. It will be interesting to see how much turn he extracts from this track. A slip, a short leg and a leg gully in place. |
| 27.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Floated on off, Mathews comes forward in defense. |
| 27.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, SIX! What a shot! Mathews is doing to Ashwin what Kohli and Sharma did to Gamage and Lakmal. Slow through the air around off, Mathews skips down the track and tonks it over long on for a maximum. That came right off the screws. |
| 27.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, SIX! That brings up his 29th Test fifty! He was dropped by Kohli and survived a jittery initial phase but has grown in confidence. Mathews once again uses his feet and heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 27.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, On the pads, clipped to short fine leg. |
| 27.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 27.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Comes down the track and plays it to mid-wicket. 12 from Ashwin's first over. |
| 28.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 28.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Played with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 28.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR! Well played! Tossed up on middle, Chandimal skips down the track and drives it against the spin through mid on for a boundary. |
| 28.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Loopy ball on off, answered with a straight bat. |
| 28.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slower delivery on off, defended solidly. |
| 29.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Ashwin comes from around the wicket and bowls it on middle and leg. Mathews clips it behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 29.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Quick and flat on leg stump, turned around the corner for a run. |
| 29.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Waits for this one and taps it to point to rotate strike. |
| 29.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Fired in this time, Chandimal stonewalls it. |
| 29.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, FOUR! You get values for your shots on this ground. Drifting away from Chandimal. He rocks back and places it behind point to find the ropes. |
| 29.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Loopy ball around off, Dinesh prods forward in defense. |
| 30.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Tossed up on leg stump, Mathews clears his front leg and eases it to covers. |
| 30.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Flatter one outside off, bunted to mid off. |
| 30.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Leans ahead and drives it with the spin to covers. |
| The crowd is getting into the act. They are doing Oohs and aahs after every delivery. This is what the spin duo wants. |
| 30.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Shortish in length, Mathews makes good use of the crease and taps it to point. |
| 30.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 30.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, On leg stump, Mathews smothers it expertly. |
| Mid on goes back for Ashwin. |
| 31.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Slow through the air around off, Chandimal puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 31.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Well bowled! Flighted delivery and it is dipping in as well. Chandimal prods forward to block it but gets an inside edge towards short leg. |
| 31.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 31.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Loopy ball around off, Mathews is tentative once again as he pushes at it but gets it off the inner half past short leg. A run taken. |
| 31.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Quicker through the air well outside off, Chandimal lets it go. |
| 31.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Flighted delivery, knocked down to long on for a single. |
| The fourth umpire comes out with the light meter. However, the on-field umpire feels that the light is good enough at the moment and doesn't take a reading. He keeps it in his pocket and has a drink. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami returns for a burst. |
| 32.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, On a length around off, poked to the off side. |
| 32.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fuller in length around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 32.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Back of a length around off, Chandimal stays back and keeps it out. |
| 32.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Short delivery on middle, Dinesh sits underneath the bumper nicely. |
| 32.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Back of a length well outside off, Chandimal lets it go. |
| 32.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length delivery around off, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| Gamage is seen wearing a mask in the dressing room. His teammates are having a smile as the camera rolls towards them. |
| 33.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Spinning into Mathews who turns it towards short leg. |
| 33.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, A bit short around off on this occasion, allows ample time to Mathews to place it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.3 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Floated delivery, Dinesh knocks it down to long on for a run. |
| 33.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Allows the ball to do its part and tucks it past short leg. |
| 33.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Slow through the air on middle, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 33.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, A fraction short on middle and leg, turned with the spin to short leg. |
| 34.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Brilliant delivery! Shami steams and keeps it very full on off and gets it to tail back in substantially. Chandimal is alert to it and jams it out smartly. It will be an interesting battle with Shami starting to get reverse swing. |
| 34.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Well played! Shami loses his radar a bit this time and slips it towards the pads. Chandimal clips it beautifully in front of square leg and away she whistles to the fence. |
| 34.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Back of a length delivery at 140 clicks, reversing in. Chandimal hangs back and taps it to mid on. |
| 34.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, That's the perfect definition of a toe crusher - Shami is in terific rhythm. Spears in a pacy yoker on the boots, Chandimal quickly gets his legs out of the way and blocks it down the track. Shami stares at Chandimal and the skipper returns a smile. Even Mathews has a smile about it. |
| 34.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fuller in length, blocked nicely. |
| 34.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, No run. |
| Out comes the light meter. Nigel Llong takes a reading and decides that it is safe to continue. |
| 35.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, No run. |
| 35.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly. |
| 35.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Uses his feet to this one but decides to block it in the end. |
| 35.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 35.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Stays back to the flatter delivery and blocks it nicely. |
| 35.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Strides forward to the tossed up delivery and smothers the turn with ease. |
| The light meter comes out again. It has turned quite dark but the umpires tell the players to carry on. Still 14 overs are left as a lot of time was lost due to the halts in play because to pollution issues. Meanwhile, Jadeja returns for a bowl. |
| 36.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Arm delivery on middle, kept out safely. |
| 36.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 36.3 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, eased to covers. |
| 36.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slow through the air, eased to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 36.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Loopy delivery, Mathews lunges forward in defense. |
| 37.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, A bit short in length, Chandimal camps back and blocks it from inside the crease. |
| 37.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal opts to stay back again and stonewalls it. |
| 37.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Slower through the air outside off, Chandimal plays it with an open bat face to point. |
| 37.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, A hint of turn there. Chandimal plays it nicely to square leg. |
| 37.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Fullish delivery on middle, knocked to mid on. |
| 37.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, It is a bit short again which allows Chandimal enough time to sit back and answer it with a straight bat. Back-to-back maidens for Ashwin. |
| 38.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Fired in line of the stumps, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 38.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 38.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Fullish in length, Mathews clears his front leg and keeps it out watchfully. |
| 38.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Very full on middle and leg, Mathews clears his front leg and blocks it to mid off. |
| 38.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, A bit slower in pace, Mathews prods forward in defense. |
| 38.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews is nimble on his feet and strokes it to long off for a run. The 50-run stand comes up. The duo need to battle on. |
| 39.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Tossed up delivery on middle, answered with a straight bat. |
| 39.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews takes a couple of steps down the track and blocks it watchfully. |
| 39.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Well bowled! Slow through the air on leg stump, Mathews comes forward to defend but gets it off the outer half of the bat to point. |
| HeroPrash - What is this fuss about light meter and bad light? In my childhood, I used to play till 7 pm! We never used to feel light is fading! @HeroPrash - Well, international cricket is a bit different, mate... |
| 39.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Ashwin comes from over the wicket and tosses it up nicely. Mathews prods forward in defense. |
| 39.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Comes back to around the wicket and bowls it nicely. Mathews comes forward to defend but the sharp inward turn beats him and he gets pinged on the thigh pad. |
| 39.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Slow through the air, blocked watchfully. The commentators on air inform that Ashwin completed this over in 1 minute 49 seconds. |
| 40.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet to this one and eases it to deepish mid off for no run. |
| 40.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, played with soft hands to mid on. |
| 40.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 40.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, eased off the front foot to mid on. |
| 40.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal comes forward and blocks this one. |
| 40.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Camps back to the flatter delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 41.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews skips down the track and immediately calls for a couple after playing it to deep mid-wicket. Vijay hares to his left and by the time he returns the ball, two runs are taken. |
| 41.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, No real appeal from the Indians but that looked close. Tossed up outside off, spinning in. Chandimal prods forward to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. It looks close but strangely, the Indians do not appeal. The replays show that the ball struck the flat of the front pad first. Should have shown more intensity. |
| 41.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Fullish around the pads, swept around the corner for a single. |
| 41.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Tossed up delivery, blocked off the front foot. |
| 41.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, That's a ripper! Quick through the air outside off, going away with the arm. Mathews tries to defend it but gets beaten all ends up. |
| 42.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 42.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet to this one and smothers the turn nicely. |
| 42.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fullish in length, patted to mid on. |
| 42.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal uses his feet and seeing that, Jadeja fires it in. The skipper does well to keep it out. |
| 42.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 42.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet one more time and negotiates it expertly. |
| 43.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 43.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews hangs back and punches it nicely through covers for a run. |
| 43.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 43.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Floated delivery, Mathews lunges forward in defense. |
| 43.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Another loopy delivery to which Mathews prods forward to block it. |
| 43.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Uses his feet to this one and almost yorks himself in the process. Somehow, he manages to keep it out. |
| Jadeja to bowl from over the wicket. |
| 44.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fired in this time, dealt with smartly off the back foot. |
| 44.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, School boy error from Ashwin! Fullish on middle, Chandimal clips it towards mid-wicket. Ashwin puts in a lazy dive to his right and allows the ball to go through. A couple taken. |
| The light meter is out again. A grim look on the faces of the umpires and they decide to CALL IT A DAY! Stumps on Day 2, SRI LANKA TRAIL BY 405! |
| An eventful day comes to an end! India have dominated the proceedings once again and are sitting pretty on top. The day began with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing positive cricket. The ploy to attack Lakmal and Gamage paid off and the runs kept on coming thick and fast. The Indian skipper was at his mercurial best and scored his 6th double ton in Test cricket. It was also the second consecutive double hundred for him and he pummeled the opposition into submission. The duo stitched a 135-run |
| After the lunch break, the afternoon session moved at a snail's pace mainly due to the issues with pollution. The Sri Lankan players wore masks to combat the hazy weather and kept on complaining. That led to several halts in play and only 16 overs were bowled in the entire session. Gamage struggled and so did Lakmal. They went off the field. Samarawickrama was already out due to a head concussion and at one stage, the Lankans became short of substitutes, prompting their fielding coach and physio |
| However, it was not to be. The reason being Virat Kohli signaled for a declaration. He was so frustrated at that point of time that he was pumped up to have a go at the tourists. The Indian pacers struck in quick succession to leave the Sri Lankans reeling two down before Tea. |
| Perera, who was opening the batting in the absence of Samarawickrama, got a life early on, thanks to Dhawan who spilled his catch at second slip. Even Mathews was dropped by Kohli at the same position. Till that point, the ex-Lankan skipper was looking completely at sea. However, he battled on and grew in confidence, making an unbeaten half century. |
| Sanjay Manjrekar has a chat with Shami who says that his aim was only to bowl in the right areas, with pace. Adds that the left-handed batsmen from Sri Lanka have had trouble facing deliveries from around the wicket on a good length. Opines that he loves to bowl with both, the new and old balls, but loves when the cherry starts to reverse. Maintains that focus is important. Hopes that India can strike early in the first hour tomorrow and the ball will move. |
| What to expect on Day 3? It is often called the moving day in cricket. Mathews and Chandimal have looked set but one always starts new on a fresh day. The first hour will be crucial. Can Sri Lanka battle hard? Or will they be rolled over by the Indians? Join us at 0930 local (0400 GMT) as to how Day 3 pans out! Meanwhile, in what could be a day of fightbacks, do check out action across the world as West Indies battle against New Zealand, England in the Ashes and then of course, this third Test. |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ... |
| It wasn't just another day of Test cricket yesterday. It wasn't just about runs, wickets and milestones. It was also about the environment - pollution. The same thing hovers around as we enter Day 3 of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka played in Delhi. We welcome you to our coverage and hope the conditions are better for playing and breathing in general (and the face masks are put away for good). |
| After India, aided by a Kohli double ton, a century from Vijay and a half from Rohit, posted a mammoth score, their bowlers continued the rich vein of form. Shami struck off the first ball to get rid of Karunaratne before Ishant sent Dhananjaya back after the latter's feet were just not going anywhere. Jadeja and Ashwin bowled some testing overs as well before countering some resistance from Mathews and Chandimal. |
| The experienced Lankan duo is battling on with an unbeaten 56-run stand and would aim to avoid the follow-on first up and then reduce the deficit, that currently stands at 405 runs, to as less as they can. If both of them as well as the men to follow, bat to their potentials, there is no reason as to why the visitors can't keep the hosts at bay. Will it happen so, though? Stay with us as the action unfolds in a while. |
| Murali Kartik has a chat with Bharat Arun before the start of play today. The Indian bowling coach says that the pitch is still batting-friendly. States Mohammed Shami has been outstanding in the series and that the weather is pretty good for bowling at the moment. Asserts that there are plans in place to bowl to Mathews, who was fishy at times, and also for others and it's just a matter of executing them. Reckons it is important for the spinners to be disciplined and try using the crease and bo |
| Russel Arnold interviews Niroshan Dickwella before the day's play. The wicketkeeper says that Sri Lanka are in a relatively good position with Chandimal and Mathews at the crease. Observes that it is still a good batting track and his side would look to put runs on board. States that it isn't easy to bat out a session after being on the field for long. About last afternoon, he says that it was more foggy than the first day. Hesitates adding his views on that as things get misinterpreted. Adds th |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold doing the pitch report says that it's a chilly morning and the sky is blue in color. Seeing the partnership between Mathews and Chandimal last night, he added that the pitch played well throughout yesterday and should most likely stay the same today as well. His counterpart Sunny Gavaskar says that the grass is getting a bit drier and the footmarks are not clearly visible. He further opines that the odd ball will keep turning but it will still remain a good batting p |
| The umpires and the players are ready to take the field. The Sri Lankan pair of Mathews and Chandimal are out to battle it against the Indian bowlers. Jadeja will resume his over - 3 balls left in the over. A slip and a short leg in place. |
| 44.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fullish delivery on middle, Chandimal has his feet moving and taps it back to the bowler. |
| 44.5 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, A bit quicker in pace, usually the way Jadeja likes bowling. It is on a fullish length again and Chandimal drives it crisply to deepish mid off. |
| 44.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Coming in with the arm, the Sri Lankan skipper tucks it to mid-wicket for a run and will retain strike. |
| ISHANT SHARMA to ball from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 45.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, left alone by Chandimal. |
| 45.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Outside off again, Chandimal doesn't flirt with it. |
| 45.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fuller this time, around off, played into the ground by Chandimal. |
| 45.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, A bit fuller again from Ishant, Chandimal pushes it to covers for a single. |
| 45.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Good length ball, Mathews shoulders arms to it. |
| 45.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Punched off the backfoot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| MOHAMMED SHAMI to replace Jadeja. |
| 46.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Shami steams in and delivers a back of a length delivery. It is seaming in as well after hitting the deck. Mathews hops back and defends it stoutly. |
| 46.2 : M Shami to Mathews, This time it is on a good length around off, skidding through the surface. Angelo hangs back and blocks it besides the pitch on the off side. |
| 46.3 : M Shami to Mathews, In the air... but safe! Short delivery around off, rising on Mathews. He gets in an awkward position and miscues his pull over the fielder at mid-wicket. A couple taken. This is the second time this has happened in his innings. Shami is a slippy customer to deal with when he gets his right. |
| Change in field. Extra cover is taken out and a catching mid-wicket comes in place. Meanwhile, Llong has a chat with Mathews regarding running on the pitch. He does this on a consistent basis and the umpire warns him. The experienced campaigner needs to be careful. |
| 46.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Back of a length delivery, answered with a straight bat from the back foot. |
| 46.5 : M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! Well played! On a length on the hips, Mathews gets inside the line and tickles it through fine leg. The fielder is squarer and hence, has no chance to cut it off. |
| 46.6 : M Shami to Mathews, Well-directed bouncer around off, Mathews drops his wrists and lets it go. |
| 47.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Bouncer from Ishant. Left alone from Chandimal. A little to high for him to play with it. |
| 47.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fullish in length, around off, Chandimal drives it beautifully to covers for nothing. |
| 47.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, In the zone of back of a length, Chandimal hangs on his back foot and defends it from the crease. |
| 47.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Served on a little fuller length, on the legs of Chandimal and he flicks it to square leg for a run. |
| 47.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, In line of the stumps, Mathews play that with a straight bat. |
| 47.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 48.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length ball, in swinging ball on middle stump line, Chandimal's bat turns in his hand trying to defend it. |
| 48.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, OUCH! Didn't judge the ball there and Chandimal is hit on his bicep. Back of a length ball, Chandimal tries to duck and is hit on his arm. No damage done. |
| 48.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Shami is bowling at good lengths and is making the batsman work for his runs. This ball is at a good length and hits the bottom edge of the bat. |
| 48.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Served around off, Chandimal drives it to mid off for a dot ball. |
| 48.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Just short. Perfect length, Chandimal looks to push that one and gets an edge to that. It just falls short of the fielder at second slip. |
| 48.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman does well to leave that bouncer. |
| JADEJA to replace ISHANT. A slip and short leg in place. |
| 49.1 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, No run. |
| 49.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Tossed up delivery, Mathews is on the move and eases it down to long off for a run. |
| 49.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Well bowled! On a flatter trajectory on leg stump, spinning away. Chandimal is squared up in his stance and defends it off the inner half down the track. |
| 49.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR! Beautiful stroke! Tossed up delivery around leg stump, Chandimal clears his front leg and whips it against the turn through mid-wicket to find the fence. |
| 49.5 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Loopy delivery around off, played with an open bat face towards cover-point. |
| 49.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slow through the air, coming in with the arm. Dinesh blocks it with a straight bat towards silly mid off. |
| 50.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Good length ball, nipping away from the pitch and just misses the outside edge of Mathews. |
| 50.2 : M Shami to Mathews, Short bouncer again. This time way outside leg to pull it. Mathews leaves it alone. |
| 50.3 : M Shami to Mathews, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 50.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Served at a length ball, Mathews doesn't fiddle with it. |
| The Sri Lankan team staff is seen standing near the sidelines. Yesterday they were all geared up to take the field due to the lack of substitutes. It is unlikely that a situation will arise today with Sri Lanka batting. However, the pollution levels in Delhi are a matter of concern. |
| 50.5 : M Shami to Mathews, Short stuff from Shami. He is making Mathews jump more than often. Bouncer again and Mathews evades it. |
| 50.6 : M Shami to Mathews, Change of length from Shami. He bowls this fuller and to the leg side, Mathews flicks it to square leg for a run. |
| The physio comes running in with a drink and provides it to Chandimal. There is smog around in the air today as well. The reserve player is wearing a mask. Seems like the Sri Lankan skipper is having issues with breathing. Yesterday, Lakmal threw up and Gamage was struggling as well. Hopefully, the Sri Lankan skipper is alright. It has been a testing Test match for the visitors so far. |
| 51.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Slow through the air around off, Mathews eases it towards Kohli at silly mid off. |
| 51.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Quicker through the air and a lot of revolutions on that, Mathews plays it off the outer half of the bat towards point. A run taken. |
| 51.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Good fielding, skipper! Flighted ball, Chandimal drives it hard but Kohli dives to his left to stop certain runs for his side. |
| 51.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Always a risky ploy to play against the spin. When it comes off, it may look beautiful but the amount of risk it possesses, you need to be really selective with your shot selection. Darted in around leg stump, Chandimal looks to whip it away but gets a safe leading edge to extra cover. |
| 51.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Quick and flat on off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 51.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 52.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Careful Mathews! Don't throw your wicket away. Mathews flicks this full pitch ball at hits to straight to Dhawan at short square leg. Wants a single but is rightfully sent back by his skipper. |
| 52.2 : M Shami to Mathews, Better from Shami, this is length to bowl at the early part of the day. Outside off, leaves it alone. |
| 52.3 : M Shami to Mathews, Misses the edge this time. Teasing ball from Shami and Mathews tries to push it and misses. |
| Shami has his tail up and is beating the bat often. On a track which is not offering much to the seam bowlers, he has bowled with a lot of intensity and venom. Last evening, he got the ball to tail in prodigiously and he has been on the money again this morning. He is hitting the right channels often and is catching the batsmen off guard. Good to see a pace bowler making life difficult for the opposition. |
| 52.4 : M Shami to Mathews, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 52.5 : M Shami to Mathews, Bouncer! Mathews ducks to let it go. |
| 52.6 : M Shami to Mathews, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 53.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Floated on off, Chandimal lunges forward in defense. |
| 53.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR! Streaky runs! Floated outside off, drifting away as well. Chandimal uses his feet to play it through covers but gets a thick outside edge that goes past cover-point. The outfield is quick and the ball races to the fence. |
| 53.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 53.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Floated on off, pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 53.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slightly short this time, Chandimal hangs back and blocks it towards the same region. |
| 53.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Turn and bounce! Fired in around leg stump, Chandimal is opened up in his stance and somehow manages to keep it out. |
| Ishant Sharma comes into the attack. Meanwhile, Shami is seen walking out of the field. |
| 54.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Length ball, Mathews plays the square drive for nothing. |
| 54.2 : I Sharma to A Mathews, Good intent from the Sri Lankan batsmen. There was a single on offer and they didn't miss out. Plays it to mid on and quickly moves to the other end. Now this is a highest score by a Sri Lankan player in this series - 68. |
| 54.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. It hits the outer half and goes into the ground. |
| 54.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 54.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fuller length, in line of the stumps, Chandimal drives it mid off for nothing. |
| 54.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, No run. |
| 55.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Full delivery on middle and leg, Mathews puts his head down and defends it with a high elbow. |
| 55.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Slider this time, Angelo puts a confident stride forward and block it with authority. |
| 55.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Slower through the air this time, Mathews comes forward and smothers the turn expertly. |
| 55.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Around off this time, eased to covers off the front foot. |
| 55.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Very full on the stumps, Mathews drives it to the left of Jadeja who fails to stop it cleanly and parries it behind. Concedes a single, rare to see Jadeja fumbling. |
| 55.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Drifting towards the pads, played with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 56.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, He gets a run again at mid on. This is the second time he has done this. Pushes it and quickly moves to the other end. |
| 0.0 : Kohli has gone off the field. We do not know what the reason is exactly. Meanwhile, Nigel Llong has given an official warning to Ishant Sharma for running on the danger zone. Hang on, it is Mathews who has been warned. Indeed, he was the one who was running on the danger area. He has a habit of doing this. The umpire has rightly reminded him about it. |
| 56.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Back of a length ball, Chandimal hangs on his back foot and flicks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 56.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 56.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, In line of the stumps, Mathews plays it with a straight bat and defends it. |
| Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami are back on the field. The former was struggling with cramps at Eden Gardens as well. He played a marathon knock earlier in the game and the cramps might be an issue. He is back so it is probably not a concern. |
| 56.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Served on a fuller length, Mathews plays it onto the ground. |
| 57.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up on the stumps, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 57.2 : Jadeja to Chandimal, A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down. Quick and flat, coming in with the arm. Chandimal looks to keep it out but misses to get hit on the pads. The Indians appeal in unison but the umpire shakes his head. The angle was always going to take it down the leg side. The Hawk Eye confirms so. |
| 57.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fullish on off, driven with soft hands towards mid off to rotate strike. |
| Silly point in place now. Deep square leg also in place. |
| 57.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, A bit wider outside off, Mathews lunges forward in his defense. |
| 57.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, That's a brute of a delivery! Quick through the air and on a shorter length on middle and off, Mathews prods forward to defend it but is foxed by the substantial away turn and bounce. There is a sound as the ball goes past the bat and that has the Indians interested but the umpire stays put. Jadeja has a quality of surprising the batsmen often. On the delivery in which there was an LBW shout, it was pitched on a similar line and length but carried on with the arm. This |
| 57.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Floated delivery, eased off the front foot to mid off. |
| Drinks have been taken. The Sri Lankan batsmen have looked solid and are battling it out there. The Indians have troubled them without any success. This pair is looking good and needs to carry out for some more time. |
| 58.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Back of a length ball, Chandimal hangs back and defends it. |
| 58.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 58.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Back of a length again, Opens the face of the bat and plays it to the point region for a single. |
| 58.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Outside off, left alone. |
| A catching leg gully in place now. Ishant Sharma comes around the wicket as well. The ploy will be to pepper Mathews with the short delivery. |
| 58.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short of a length, Mathews pulls it to wide fine leg for a run. |
| 58.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Similar ball, pulls it in front of square and a similar result. |
| 59.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Slow through the air on middle, pushed off the front foot to short extra cover. |
| 59.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Similar delivery, Mathews strides forward and blocks it nicely. |
| 59.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, A lot of revolutions in this flighted delivery, Angelo defends it off the outer half of the bat towards cover-point. |
| 59.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Very full delivery on off, Mathews jams it out towards cover-point for a run. |
| 59.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slow through the air, eased to covers. |
| 59.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal drives this one straight to the silly point fielder who shows good reactions and throws it back on the stumps. However, Chandimal's back foot is inside the crease. |
| 60.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Short ball to start with, and is down the leg. Saha collects it with no trouble. |
| 60.2 : I Sharma to A Mathews, FOUR! Looks like they have some plan for Mathews but it's not working out. Short ball around middle and leg, Mathews swivels and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 60.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Fuller this time and Mathews drives it to mid on for a single. |
| 60.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 60.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Uppish delivery, plays it into the ground. |
| 60.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| Change of ends for Mohammed Shami. He was fierce in his first spell this morning in which he bowled 4 overs. There is only one fielder close in on the off side. Can he break this flourishing stand? |
| 61.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Good running! Fractionally overpitched around off, Mathews taps it in front of covers for a brisk single. |
| 61.2 : M Shami to D Chandimal, FOUR! Lovely stroke! Full length delivery around off, Chandimal leans into it and caresses it past Murali Vijay at covers. Once it goes past him, it is destined to reach the fence. |
| 61.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, That's a typical reply from a fast bowler! Shami changes his angle and runs in from around the wicket. It is a well-directed bouncer and Chandimal has to duck in a jiffy to evade it. |
| 61.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, In the air... but safe! The field positioning at leg gully almost worked wonders for the home side. Good length delivery attacking the rib cage area, Chandimal hops and tucks it away. No control in that stroke and it flies uppishly towards Rahane at leg gully who dives in front but can only take it on the bounce. He has a smile on his face. Good attacking stuff from Shami. |
| 61.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 61.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Shortish again, Chandimal hops and rides the bounce well to tap it towards gully. |
| 62.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Was there an edge? Was there a glove involved? Ishant Sharma felt so and half-hearted appeal to the umpire. Short ball, outside leg and Mathews looks to pull it away but misses the ball. Saha does the rest. |
| 62.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 62.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fuller in length, Chandimal pushes it to cover for a run. |
| 62.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Served it on a fuller length again, Mathews flicks it to square leg to pick up a single. |
| 62.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, 1 run. |
| Rahane is standing moves to a straighter position at leg gully. Most of the tucks are flying from this position and this has prompted this subtle change. |
| 62.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, No run. |
| Finally, Ashwin comes into the attack. There is a huge cheer from the crowd. |
| 63.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery around off, played with soft hands in front of cover for a single. That brings the century stand between Chandimal and Mathews. These two have batted with a lot of grit and determination but still have a long way to go as they trail by 361. |
| 63.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Plays this one nicely with the spin through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 63.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Spinning into Chandimal who clips it to the same region. |
| 63.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Uses his feet and tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 63.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Back of a length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 63.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Mohammed Shami returns for a burst. |
| 64.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Short delivery on middle and leg, Mathews pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 64.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, eased off the front foot to short cover. |
| The umpires check the shape of the ball. They pass it through the 8-shaped gauge and feel that it is fine enough to continue. |
| 64.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, tails in a bit. Chandimal clips it in a controlled manner to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 64.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Short delivery around the rib cage area, pulled nicely behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 64.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Third consecutive fifty for Chandimal and his 16th in Test cricket! He is in good form and is making it count. Well played, skipper! Full length delivery outside off, Chandimal goes at it with hard hands but gets a thick outside edge past the diving Ashwin at gully. Runs away to the fence. The Sri Lankan dressing room is up on its feet. He has played really well but knows that needs to score a big one. |
| 64.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Short delivery, Chandimal sits under the bumper. |
| 65.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly. |
| 65.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Full delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 65.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, FOUR! Well played! Floated down the leg side, Mathews kneels and sweeps it through fine leg to find the fence. |
| 65.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 65.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Spinning into Chandimal who works it to square leg for a single. |
| 65.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Slow through the air, Mathews lunges forward in defense. |
| Jadeja is back on. |
| 66.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Quick and flat on middle and leg, tucked to mid-wicket. |
| 66.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 66.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Drifting in on middle, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 66.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet to the tossed up delivery and blocks it. |
| 66.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Short this time, Chandimal cuts it but finds the backward point fielder. |
| 66.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No ball! Jadeja has overstepped this time, a rare thing for a spinner to do so. Darted in, played with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| R Jadeja to Chandimal, Driven through mid off by the batsman. |
| 67.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Spinning into Mathews who comes forward and defends it besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 67.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Shorter and flatter, answered nicely with a straight bat. |
| 67.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Almost a wicket! Spinning down the leg side, Mathews tucks it uppishly but it falls just short of the man at leg gully and goes past him. A run taken. |
| 67.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 67.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, knocked to mid on. |
| 67.6 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Slow through the air, Chandimal eases it to the same region. |
| Change of gloves for Angelo Mathews. |
| 68.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Coming in with the arm, blocked solidly. |
| 68.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Short in length, tucked off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 68.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 68.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Quicker in pace, Mathews comes forward in defense. |
| 68.5 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, Rush of blood from Mathews! Perhaps trying to get a ton before Lunch. Slower through the air around off, Mathews charges down the track and attempts to tonk it over mid off but skews it off the outer half. The ball is in the air for a while but falls short of Vijay at backward point. |
| 68.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Strides forward to this one and keeps it out. |
| 69.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Loopy delivery, Chandimal comes forward and stonewalls it. |
| 69.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Fullish delivery which is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 69.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Spinning in sharply into Chandimal who skips down the track and bunts it to mid-wicket. |
| 69.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 69.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Slow through the air again, buried into the ground. |
| 69.6 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Full delivery on off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 70.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Quick and flat, Mathews covers the line and stonewalls it. |
| 70.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 70.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, That's a Jadeja special! On a flatter trajectory and quick through the air on middle. It pitches and takes off with extra bounce. The turn is substantial as well which has Mathews in a tangle. He lunges forward to defend it but the ball whizzes past the edge of his bat, hits him on the back arm and dies down besides the track on the off side. In fact, the Snicko shows a spike as it brushed the glove and then the back arm. Fortunately for the ex-Lankan skipper, it didn' |
| 70.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Fullish delivery, eased to mid off for a run. |
| 70.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Coming in with the arm, kept out watchfully. |
| 70.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slower through the air, Chandimal takes a couple of steps down the track and blocks it right under his eyes. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 3! |
| A wicketless session for Sri Lanka! Not a run-flowing one but more importantly they did not lose a wicket. Mathews and Chandimal not only weathered the storm but also have shown that the track is still a good one for batting. It's all about mental application. |
| The Indian pacers started off well this morning although there isn't much assistance off the deck. They had the batsmen hopping around in the crease but much to their dismay, they didn't taste any success. Jadeja is getting a good amount of purchase but he was negotiated well by the current batting pair. Ashwin was brought into the attack later than we would have liked. |
| So, what do we have in store next? Will it be another session where the batsmen dictate terms? Or will the Indian bowlers come out all guns blazing? To find out join us back to catch all the action from the post-lunch session... |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ... |
| We're back! Sri Lanka would be breathing easy at the moment, literally. Yesterday, post this point of time, the pollution levels shot up causing great inconvenience for the tourists. They had to take field with face masks covering their noses and mouths. How will it be today? So far it hasn't hampered their batters out there. Only Chandimal seemed in some discomfort on one occasion. |
| The men concerned make their way out to the middle. MATHEWS and CHANDIMAL will look to continue their 117-run stand. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN will start off the session with the ball. A slip and a leg gully in position... |
| 71.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Nice loop on that one from Ashwin. Mathews presents a straight bat as he keeps it out watchfully. |
| 71.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Similar delivery around off and middle, Mathews clips it away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 71.3 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Floated around off, Chandimal lunges forward to defend but gets an inside edge onto his front pad. No harm done. |
| 71.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks it to mid-wicket, where Rohit misfields and allows a run to be taken. |
| 71.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Blocked solidly off the front foot. |
| 71.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Flicked past short leg for one run. |
| Spin twins in operation. RAVINDRA JADEJA will bowl from the other end and will continue his spell. A silly point stands close to the batter apart from the slip. |
| 72.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Starts off with a straight ball on the stumps, Mathews pushes it towards mid on. |
| 72.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews lunges forward and blocks this solidly. |
| 72.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Too close to cut! Flatter just outside off, Angelo goes back to cut it but ends up chopping it to the keeper. On another day, the stumps would have been disturbed. |
| 72.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 72.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 72.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews negotiates this safely. A quick maiden over from Jadeja ends. |
| Interesting! The on-air commentators remind us of Mathews' highest Test score in India - 99. He was run out in that innings, being the last man dismissed. He is currently on 92. Can be get to his first ton on Indian shores? |
| 73.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, No run. |
| 73.2 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards the slip region. |
| 73.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Dinesh punches this off the back foot through covers for a brace. |
| India desperate for a breakthrough? Chandimal is rapped on the front pad and India put an appeal for LBW due to this. The umpire denies it. Kohli opts for DRS. Seems to be sliding down leg... |
| 73.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, NOT OUT! It is sliding down leg indeed! Ashwin tosses it up around middle, the ball spins in a bit. Chandimal misses the flick and hence the ball strikes him on the front pad. The Indians appeal only to see umpire Joel Wilson unmoved. Kohli consults with his teammates and opts to review that. Remember, Ashwin always is eager to review the on-field calls. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be missing leg stump by a mile! India waste a review in desperation here. |
| 73.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal pushes this towards point. |
| 73.6 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, The Lankan skipper gets squared up yet again and gets an outside edge. The ball rolls towards slip. |
| 74.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, No run. |
| 74.2 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, Mathews hits it towards mid on. |
| 74.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Watchful front foot defense displayed by Angelo. |
| 74.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews smothers that onto the ground. |
| 74.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, AM has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 75.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, No run. |
| 75.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, This one is driven towards long on for a run. |
| 75.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Blocked solidly off the front foot. |
| 75.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 75.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Pushed towards point from the crease. |
| 75.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal gets forward and blocks. |
| As replays of that review taken by India roll in, it gets even more hard to decipher on what basis did Kohli opt for it. Saha was seen shaking his head signifying 'maybe'. Rahane was signalling that probably it slid down leg. |
| 76.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 76.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, AM gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it. |
| 76.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.4 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, FOUR! Lucky Mathews! But a hard taskmaster may call it as a dropped chance! Jadeja drops it flat around off. The ball spins after it pitches. Mathews plays for the initial angle and gets squared up a bit due to the turn. He was also deceived by the low bounce. The ball takes the outside edge and goes through Saha's legs and rolls to the fence behind. A very hard chance that. Mathews moves to 97 with that. |
| 76.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Now he lunges forward and defends this. |
| 76.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews stonewalls it by lunging forward. |
| 77.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated around off, Dinesh gets forward and presents a straight bat to bunt that. |
| 77.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 77.3 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Chandimal gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads as he looks to defend that. |
| 77.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Another forward defense on display to a ball around off and middle. |
| 77.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Flicked away off his pads for a run. |
| 77.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it down to long on for a run. Gets to 98 now. |
| India are 2 overs away from getting the second new ball. It is a doubt whether they will take it immediately. |
| 78.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, No run. |
| 78.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews gets forward and dead-bats that. |
| 78.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, AM has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 78.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Outside off, pushed to covers. |
| 78.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Finds the mid off fielder with the drive. |
| 78.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, On the stumps, blocked off the front foot. |
| A backward square leg in place. |
| 79.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 79.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal smashes it straight back past the stumps at the other end for a single towards long on. |
| 79.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews strides forward and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 79.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 79.5 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews gets forward and presents a straight bat face. |
| 79.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Mathews stays on 98 with this solid forward defense. |
| The second new ball is now available for India. India opt to continue with the old one though, as the spin twins are using the older one well. |
| 80.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks this delivery that was around middle and leg, past short leg. Vijay from the position gives it a chase and keeps it down to a brace. |
| 80.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 80.3 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Driven towards covers. |
| 80.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by DC. |
| Good news for Sri Lanka! Russel Arnold on air informed us a while back that Sadeera Samarawickrama is declared fit to bat in this innings. |
| 80.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal lunges forward and bunts it. |
| 80.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal defends it solidly by getting behind the line. |
| Action time for the fourth umpire! He has to run into the field to hand over the SECOND NEW BALL to the umpire as INDIA HAVE OPTED TO TAKE IT. It will be made use of first by ISHANT SHARMA. |
| 81.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, DROPPED! The second slip conundrum continues for India! It's Mathews who is living a charmed life here. Gets a second life and it's the same spot where he was dropped earlier, although the person was different then. Sharma hurls the second new cherry on a length outside off, Mathews, on a nervous 98, pokes at it away from his body. The ball takes the thick outer edge and flies to the right of Rohit Sharma at second slip. He gets both hands to that but fails to cling on |
| 81.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Chandimal taps this in front of covers and sets off for a quick run. |
| 81.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, There it is! 8th Test hundred for Angelo Mathews. What a way to get to his first ton in India. Ishant bowls it on the pads, Mathews flicks it through square leg for a run. He looks heavenwards and thanks his stars. Revels in the applause that he gets and fist-pumps it in the air. Well played, lad. Turned up among the runs when his side needed it the most. |
| 81.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, the batter looks to slash it away from his body but misses. |
| 81.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Mathews charges down the track to the short ball and sways away from the line. |
| 81.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| MOHAMMED SHAMI to bowl from the other end. |
| 82.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 82.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 82.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Shami strays on the pads, making it easy for Chandimal to flick it away through square leg for a boundary. |
| 82.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 82.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Second in the over! Fuller outside off, Chandimal drives it through cover-point. The ball runs away to the fence for another boundary. |
| 82.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bouncer in line of the stumps, Chandimal ducks to let it go. |
| 83.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Straying on the pads, clipped to the leg side for a single. |
| 83.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Good length ball on offf, Chandimal hangs back and defends it stoutly. |
| 83.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, In the corridor of uncertainty, Dinesh points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 83.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Well bowled! On a good length in the off stump corridor, seaming in. Chandimal knows where his off stump is and makes a brave leave. |
| 83.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fuller in length well outside off, inviting the skipper for a drive. However, he remains resolute in his approach and makes a good leave. |
| 83.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, tailing in nicely. Chandimal prods forward to block it but gets it off the inner half to the vacant mid-wicket region. A run taken. |
| 84.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Runs in and bowls it on a length outside off. Chandimal stands it the crease and blocks it towards cover-point. |
| 84.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, It's all happening now! Shami bangs it short outside off, Chandimal looks to take it on with a pull. Misses the ball by not much. The ball rockets to Saha who fails to take it. |
| 84.3 : M Shami to D Chandimal, Fuller outside off, Chandimal drives it sweetly to mid off. |
| 84.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Chandimal pushes this defensively towards covers. |
| 84.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bouncer around off, Dinesh lets that pass through to the keeper. |
| 84.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, The 150-run stand between Chandimal and Mathews is up! The entire team looks upto them in tough situations and this time they have come good. Shami bowls it on the pads, Chandimal misses the flick. The ball goes off his pads towards backward square leg and a leg bye is taken. |
| 85.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Bowled outside off, left alone. |
| 85.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, On a shorter length outside off, Chandimal cuts it square on the off side straight to the man there. |
| 85.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 85.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Ahhhh! The talking game from Ishant Sharma is here! Bangs in a short delivery in the line of the stumps, making Chandimal duck under it. As the batter rises, Sharma is seen giving some words of wisdom to him. |
| 85.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, This ball is blocked from the crease towards cover-point. |
| 85.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR! That shot should answer Ishant for whatever he had said to him a ball ago. Sharma bowls it short outside off. That is enough for a well-set Chandimal to cash on. He hangs back and smashes it through cover-point for a boundary. The bowler is dejected and rightly so. The deficit is down to 307 now. |
| 86.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Mathews gets on his toes and clips it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 86.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, left alone by Dinesh. |
| 86.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Shami comes round the wicket and bowls it full around middle and leg. Chandimal drives it towards wide mid on. Vijay Shankar the sub rushes to his right and keeps the batsmen down to just one. |
| 86.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Mathews hangs on the back foot expecting a short ball. Instead gets a fuller delivery around middle and leg. Angelo keeps it out safely. |
| 86.5 : M Shami to Mathews, On a length around off, Mathews' bat opens up as he blocks it defensively. On another look, it turns out that it was a knuckle ball by Shami. |
| 86.6 : M Shami to Mathews, Bouncer around leg, ducked under by Angelo. |
| 87.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length ball around off, Chandimal gets forward to block but gets it off the inner half towards mid on. Ishant again has a long stare at him. |
| 87.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Short ball around middle and leg, Chandimal looks to pull but only manages to gets some gloves on it. The ball rolls towards fine leg and only a run results. Again Mathews isn't running the right way. He is holding the gloves with his right hand and the bat with the other. So he isn't in a position to make quick movements. |
| 87.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews stands tall and presents a straight bat as he blocks that. |
| 87.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Again the batsman hangs on the back foot and blocks it with the full face of the bat. |
| 87.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Length around off, defended from the crease. |
| 87.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, A touch fuller outside off, Mathews points his bat skywards as he lets it go. The ball bounces just in front of Saha as he collects it. |
| Drinks are on the field now! Another period of play passes where Sri Lanka have come out unscathed. Though, that isn't the entire picture. There was an offering - that of Mathews to Rohit - but the latter was too gratuitous to let that one go abegging. Where do India look now? All their four bowlers have bowled in this hour without any success. Hope this drinks break gives them some fuel for thought. |
| For the number crunchers, here's something. The duo of Mathews and Chandimal is the first visiting pair to stitch a partnership of over 400 balls in Tests against India in the last five years. Meanwhile, RAVINDRA JADEJA is brought into the attack. |
| 88.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal punches this off the back foot towards the bowler. |
| 88.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 88.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 88.4 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 88.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, FOUR! Angelo Mathews gets another life! Yes, you read that right! Jadeja induces the false shot from the former Sri Lankan skipper. Tossed up delivery around off, Mathews looks to go over mid off by making use of his feet. The ball spins and hence the batsman gets it high on the bat. The ball flies over Vijay Shankar (sub) at that position. He jumps, gets both the hands to it but fails to close them when the ball is in. Allows the ball to go through to the fence. A bo |
| 88.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Angelo works it down the leg side. |
| 89.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Chandimal stands tall and blocks it from the crease. |
| 89.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! This is all about timing! Length ball on the shorter side outside off, Chandimal hops up and just pushes it through covers. The ball bisects the gap between mid on and covers and races away to the fence for a boundary. |
| Ishant Sharma has handed the ball to the umpires. The umpire just has a look at it and deems it good for play. |
| 89.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Shami delivers it around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 89.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 89.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 89.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Chandimal gets his stride out and blocks. |
| 90.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Flatter on the pads, Mathews misses the flick. The ball goes off his thighs towards short fine leg for a leg bye. |
| 90.2 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Around off, Chandimal steps out and looks to flick it away. Gets an inside edge and the ball lands next to him on the off side. Saha sees that the batter is out of the crease and comes down to flick the ball on the stumps. Does so but the Lankan skipper comes back in the crease in time. |
| 90.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 90.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Dinesh lunges forward and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 90.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Flatter on the stumps, Chandimal blocks it. |
| 90.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 91.1 : M Shami to Mathews, Length delivery around off, defended solidly from the crease. |
| 91.2 : M Shami to Mathews, Fuller around off, driven back towards the bowler. |
| The ball is put through the 8-shaped gauge to check it as Ishant Sharma isn't happy with the shape of the ball yet again. The umpires are satisfied with it and return it to the bowler. |
| 91.3 : M Shami to Mathews, Mathews is hanging on the back foot yet again. This time it is the short length delivery and he defends it. |
| 91.4 : M Shami to Mathews, Watching this shot, nobody would believe that Mathews is batting over a hundred runs. Shami bangs it short around middle and leg, Mathews goes for the pull. Gets it off the under edge towards fine leg for a run. |
| 91.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks it off his pads towards fine leg for a single. |
| 91.6 : M Shami to Mathews, This ball is driven towards mid on. |
| 92.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Floated around off, Dinesh plays it towards mid-wicket. |
| 92.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 92.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal lunges forward in defense. |
| 92.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, DC has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 92.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal has played that off the front foot and into the ground. One run added to the total. |
| 92.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews presents a straight bat face as he defends it watchfully. |
| ISHANT SHARMA is brought on for another spell. |
| 93.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Around off, driven towards mid on. |
| 0.0 : The on-air commentators observe a pattern of Mathews vs the seamers. From the pitch map, it is seen that when the ball is pitched on a good length area outside off, Mathews isn't sure of his footwork and more often than not ends up poking at those. He misses almost all of them too. The Indians need to take this into account and bowl accordingly. |
| 93.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks it through mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 93.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews keeps this out off the front foot. |
| 93.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, This delivery is defended watchfully off the back foot. |
| 93.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Length ball around middle and leg, Mathews taps it next to the pitch on the leg side and takes a couple of steps for a run. Seeing Ishant get to the ball, he aborts the plan. |
| 93.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 94.1 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Floated outside off, driven towards covers. |
| 94.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Served around off, Dinesh blocks it off the front foot. |
| 94.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal gets to the pitch of the ball and pushes it towards mid off. |
| 94.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal flicks it away through square leg for a run. |
| 94.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Floated outside off, Mathews finds the cover fielder with the drive. |
| 94.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Bowled outside off, pushed towards covers. Just a run off that over and the Lankan deficit stays at 289. |
| 95.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal seems to be winning the battle against Ishant. Banged short around middle and leg, the Sri Lankan skipper expects it and plays the pull shot in response. Gets it fine down the leg side. Vijay Shankar runs to his right, puts in the dive but fails to prevent the boundary. Perhaps he started a bit late there. 250 up for Sri Lanka. The trail comes down to 285 now. |
| 95.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, On a length, Chandimal stays in the crease and blocks. |
| 95.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Back of a length outside off, Chandimal hangs back and slaps it through covers. Jadeja from backward point hares after it and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 95.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, On a length around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 95.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| And again! The ball is given to the umpires for a look. Wonder what the issue is. The Indians don't seem happy with it. |
| 95.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Chandimal presents a straight bat face as he negotiates the last ball of the over. |
| Jadeja runs in to bowl but aborts. Gets down, rubs the soil and gets back to his mark. |
| 96.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Floated around off, Angelo defends it stoutly. |
| 96.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 96.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Pushed towards covers from the crease. |
| 96.4 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, Served around off, Mathews looks to block it. The ball takes the outer edge of the bat and rolls towards short third man for a run. |
| 96.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 96.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, This one is hit straight to mid-wicket. |
| Finally! The Indians seem to have their way. The umpires have called for the replacement balls and the ideal one is chosen. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN will have a first bowl with it. |
| 97.1 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Ashwin begins round the wicket and lands it around middle. Mathews blocks it watchfully. |
| 97.2 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Floated on the stumps, blocked with a straight bat. |
| 97.3 : R Ashwin to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 97.4 : R Ashwin to Mathews, Flighted delivery around middle, Mathews charges down and hits it aerially on the bounce to long on for a run. |
| 97.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal hits it through cover-point and crosses over to the other end. |
| 97.6 : R Ashwin to Mathews, OUT! Is this the breakthrough India needed? The change of ball has done the trick though. Ashwin is the man who manages to break this stubborn 181-run stand. Ashwin continues round the wicket and lands it around middle. The ball goes straaight on after pitching. Mathews closes the face of his bat in a bid to flick it away and pick up a single with the supposed turn, but there isn't any. There is a think edge and Saha behind the stumps makes no mistake in taking that. |
| SADEERA SAMARAWICKRAMA is the next man in. Earlier today, he was cleared to bat and here he is now. How will he go about with his thing? |
| 98.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 98.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 98.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 98.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Dinesh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 98.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR. |
| 98.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 99.1 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 99.2 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 99.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, FOUR BYES! Ashwin lands it around middle and leg, the ball goes with the angle. Sadeera misses the flick and the keeper doesn't have any chance of collecting that. A boundary results. |
| 99.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Pushed towards point. |
| 99.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Samarawickrama drives it to mid on. |
| 99.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 100.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 100.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal eases this down to long on for a run to move to 97. |
| 100.3 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 100.4 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Blocked from the crease watchfully. |
| 100.5 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, A stifled appeal, turned down. Samarawickrama misses the flick and the ball strikes him low on the front pad. The hosts appeal but to no avail. Going down, maybe. |
| 100.6 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Samarawickrama is up and running with a boundary. Jadeja fires it outside off, Sadeera cuts it through point. The ball speeds away to the fence in a jiffy. |
| 101.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated around middle and leg, Chandimal flicks it with the spin and gets to the other end. Moves to 98 now. |
| 101.2 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 101.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 101.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Loopy ball around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 101.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Sadeera stays on the back foot and blocks it. |
| 101.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Flatter on the pads, Samarawickrama opts to pad it away. The ball lobs off it to Rohit at leg gully who catches that and appeals. Kohli thought about a review before deciding against it. That signals TEA, DAY 3! |
| Another session that belongs to Sri Lanka! They owe it to their mainstays Mathews and Chandimal who put on a tall stand of 181 runs. The former got to his 8th Test ton, thanks to the generous Indians who gave him 4 lives, 2 of them being as easy as they come. The visiting skipper is still unbeaten on 98. He had looked the part in the previous game as well before throwing it away. This time, he has ensured and played a chanceless innings so far. |
| India had been left searching for a wicket all day long and it came off the bowling of Ashwin. Finally an Indian bowler was helped by a fielder in catching what was offered from the blade of Mathews. The seamers weren't off color. It's just that they weren't supported on the field as they would have wanted. The final session in the day beckons. |
| Sri Lanka are showing a semblance of fight now. This is what the entire cricketing world would want - more competing teams. This is what even India would like - being tested before tougher away tours. Is this Lankan fightback just a fallacy? Will they be able to keep up the good work in the final session? Or will the hosts start bossing the game from here? We'll find out when play resumes at 1432 IST. |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ... |
| The prospect of CHANDIMAL getting to his 10th Test ton welcomes us to this session. He strides out confidently with the young SAMARAWICKRAMA for company. RAVINDRA JADEJA has the ball in hand. |
| 102.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up delivery around off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 102.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tight single! Chandimal must be itching to get to the three-figure mark quickly. He steps down the track and knocks it towards Shankar at mid off. He attacks the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The skipper would have been safe even if it hit. He moves to 99. |
| 102.3 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Fullish delivery on off, Samarawickrama puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 102.4 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Well played! Samarawickrama has started off nicely. A bit short in length outside off, the batsman waits for it and dabs it deftly through third man to find the fence. |
| 102.5 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Half-tracker outside off, Samarawickrama rocks back and cuts it with aplomb through point for another boundary. |
| 102.6 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Uses his feet to this one and blocks it. |
| Ashwin to continue his spell. |
| 103.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, There it is! 10th Test ton for Dinesh Chandimal, also his second against India. A big moment for the Sri Lankan Test skipper! Tossed up delivery around off, Chandimal eases it to covers for a brisk single. Roars in delight and has a big smile on his feet. The entire dressing room is up on its feet. He deserves every bit of it. Still, he remains the main link for Sri Lanka and needs to carry on. |
| 103.2 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Floated delivery, defended solidly. |
| 103.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Well bowled! A bit short in length around off, turning and bouncing away. Sadeera goes for the cut but gets beaten. Good take by Saha. |
| 103.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, This one is down the leg side and the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 103.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Spinning down the leg side, Sadeera pads it away. It rolls to the fine leg fence but no runs will be given as no shot was offered. |
| 103.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, FOUR! This time it is the floater from Ashwin. Samarawickrama picks up the natural variation and cuts it through covers to pick up a boundary. |
| 104.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 104.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Clears his front leg and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 104.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal,The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 104.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Stays back to this one and blocks it. |
| Chandimal is struggling at the moment. He has been batting since a long time and is having cramps in his left hand. The physio runs out and attends to him. Seems to be fine now. |
| 104.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Strides forward and blocks it nicely. |
| 104.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Spinning away from Chandimal who lets it go. |
| 105.1 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Quicker through the air, blocked watchfully. |
| 105.2 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Spinning in, defended from within the crease. |
| 105.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 105.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Hangs back and clips it on the bounce to leg slip. |
| 105.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Flat and quick ball, answered with a straight bat. |
| 105.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Rash! Slow through the air outside off, Sadeera steps out to whack it over mid-wicket but is deceived in the flight. Gets rapped on the pads and the ball rolls to the off side. No real appeal from the Indians as the batsman was well outside off. |
| 106.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Full ball on middle, blocked well. |
| 106.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Darted in, played with the angle to mid on. |
| 106.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Hangs deep in the crease and drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. |
| 106.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Places this quicker delivery to cover-point to rotate strike. |
| 106.5 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Spinning in substantially, Samarawickrama dabs it to point for a run. |
| 106.6 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Tossed up delivery, Samarawickrama dances down the track and aims to hit it straight down the ground but gets it off the outer half over the sub Shankar at mid off. He chases it and does well to save a couple for his side. |
| 107.1 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Fullish delivery, pushed to mid on. |
| 107.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single. |
| 107.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Hangs back and defends it against the spin to the off side. |
| 107.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Samarawickrama is on the attack mode! Short delivery outside off, the batsman cuts it past point and the ball races to the fence. |
| 107.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 107.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 108.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 108.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet and drills it to the man at short cover. |
| 108.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Confusion but no harm done. Chandimal taps this one towards point and waits. Samarawickrama sets off but the skipper loudly yells no. There is a shy at the non-striker's end as the batsman gets back in his crease but it misses. |
| 108.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 108.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 108.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 109.1 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 109.2 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Comes forward this time and blocks it. |
| 109.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Well bowled! This one straightens a touch on middle, Sadeera pushes at it with hard hands and it just falls short of Dhawan at short leg. |
| 109.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Flighted delivery, kept out. |
| 109.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Short outside off, cut to point. |
| 109.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Streaky but effective! Tossed up delivery, Samarawickrama uses his feet and has a hoick at it but gets it off the inner half towards square leg. It teases Shankar there and goes past him to the fence. |
| 110.1 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, FOUR. |
| 110.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 110.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Quicker one, nudged to square leg for a run. |
| 110.4 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, Pushed to covers with soft hands. |
| 110.5 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 110.6 : R Jadeja to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 111.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, No run. |
| 111.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Turned nicely through the same region for a single. |
| 111.3 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Sits deep in the crease to negotiate that one. |
| 111.4 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Spinning down the leg side as Samarawickrama pads it away and it goes past the keeper. Dead ball signalled by the umpire. |
| 111.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 111.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, No run. |
| 112.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 112.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Clips this one around the corner for a single. |
| 112.3 : R Jadeja to S Samarawickrama, Drives this fullish delivery in front of cover to rotate strike. |
| 112.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Flatter ball, kept out from within the crease. |
| 112.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 112.6 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Shortish delivery, spinning in. Chandimal rocks back and defends it to short leg. |
| 113.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Flatter ball outside off, pushed to covers. |
| 113.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Worked with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 113.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Slow through the air, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 113.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Shortish delivery, Chandimal hangs back and plays it towards short leg who dives to his right to stop it. |
| 113.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Clears his front leg and eases it to the left side of the bowler. |
| 113.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Spinning in sharply from outside off, Dinesh rocks back to cut it but ends up chopping it to cover-point. |
| Ishant Sharma is called back for a burst. |
| 114.1 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Full length delivery angling in substantially, Samarawickrama clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 114.2 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, These are good channels from Ishant! In the zone of apprehension, Samarawickrama points his bat skywards and makes a brave leave. |
| 114.3 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Back of a length ball well outside off, Sadeera remains circumspect in approach and makes another leave. |
| 114.4 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Sharma opts to pitch this one fuller but the line is wide outside off. Easy leave for Sadeera. |
| 114.5 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Pujara probably saved five runs for his side there. Back of a length ball outside off, prodigious inward movement there. Samarawickrama lets it go and the ball shapes back late. Saha dives to his left and makes a half-stop. The ball rolls towards the helmet behind the keeper. Pujara is aware of it and stops it in time. |
| 114.6 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Sadeera nails the drive but finds the man at covers. |
| 115.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Flatter delivery, patted back to the bowler. |
| 115.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Well, there is some drama and the crowd loves it! Chandimal drives it towards mid on where Kohli dives to his left and makes a good save. He gets up and throws instantly. The ball ends up hitting Samarawickrama on his right elbow. Chandimal looks at his opposite number and has a smile on his face. The Indian skipper walks down to Sadeera and apologizes to him. Signals that he was attempting to throw it at the striker's end. |
| Wonderful point made by Harsha Bhogle on air. He says that the highlights package of Test matches show only the shots played. They don't have the defensive shots in them. But those attacking shots are possible only after you defend a certain number of deliveries. He adds that an ability of a batsman isn't about how many sixes you hit but is about being aware of where your off stump is. Brilliant. |
| 115.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Shortish delivery, blocked watchfully. |
| 115.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. They pick up a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between the duo. Good going. |
| 115.5 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Uppish but safe! Drifting towards the leg stump, Samarawickrama kneels and paddle sweeps it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 115.6 : R Ashwin to Samarawickrama, Defended with the spin to short leg. |
| 116.1 : I Sharma to S Samarawickrama, Four bonus runs! Needless from Rohit Sharma. Samarawickrama taps it to point and calls his partner through for a single. There is no chance of a run out but Sharma throws it at the striker's end but misses. There is no one backing up and the ball races to the fence. This won't amuse Virat Kohli one bit. |
| 116.2 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Dug in short on off, Sadeera drops his wrists and lets it go. |
| 116.3 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Nicely done! Angling into Samarawickrama, he stays well balanced and flicks it through mid-wicket. Two fielders chase it but fail to stop it from reaching the fence. |
| 116.4 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, OUT! That's a stunning catch! Take a bow, Saha! Well-deserved reward for Ishant Sharma as well. He has had catches dropped off his bowling but this time he gets the reward. Back of a length delivery in the zone of apprehension, holding its line. Samarawickrama is guilty of fishing at it away from his body and ends up getting a healthy outside edge. Wriddhiman Saha remains composed, dives full length to his right and grabs it in his right glove. Mind you, those |
| The debutant, Roshen Silva strides out to bat. He has a very good first-class record. Can he deliver at the highest level? |
| 116.5 : I Sharma to Silva, Well bowled! Welcomes Silva with a ball in the corridor of uncertainty. Silva keeps his bat inside the line and lets it go. |
| 116.6 : I Sharma to Silva, Sharp bumper around off, Silva ducks under it in a jiffy. Successful over from Ishant Sharma. |
| 117.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Outside off, pushed to point. |
| 0.0 : Murali Vijay is back on the field. |
| 117.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Uses his feet and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 117.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Quicker delivery, driven to long on for a single. |
| 117.4 : R Ashwin to R Silva, OUT! Silva departs for a duck in his first international innings. Another one goes down in quick succession. Ashwin tosses this one up nicely around off and gets it to spin in sharply. The debutant prods forward to account for the turn but only manages to get an inside edge. The ball lobs straight towards Shikhar Dhawan at short leg who accepts it gleefully. The wheels are coming off for Sri Lanka now. They are still behind by 218 runs and need 19 more to avoid the fo |
| Drinks time. Meanwhile, Niroshan Dickwella is the new man in. |
| 117.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Played against the spin to point. |
| 117.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Slow through the air, patted back to the bowler. |
| 118.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, blocked from the crease towards cover-point. |
| 118.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Ishant is charged up seeing Chandimal at the crease. Bangs a brutal bouncer on the stumps, Chandimal spots it and ducks under it. |
| 118.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR! Beautifully driven! Sharma hurls it full outside off, Chandimal gets his stride forward and drives it through covers. The ball races to its destination in no time. |
| 118.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Snorter! Sharma lands it on a length around off, Chandimal looks to defend. The ball takes off after pitching and ends up striking Dinesh's bat on the high part. He immediately takes his right hand off and wrings his hand in pain. |
| 118.5 : I Sharma to D Chandimal, Driven on the up to mid off. |
| 118.6 : I Sharma to D Chandimal, Edged but just short! Sharma hurls a fuller delivery around off, Chandimal looks to drive it down away from the body. Ends up getting the outside edge that lands just short of a diving Saha. On another look, it is seen that it was the slow off-cutter. No wonder then, it didn't carry. |
| 119.1 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, He'll play his natural game, Dickwella had asserted before play today. That's what he intends to do. Plays the sweep straight to the man at square leg. |
| 119.2 : R Ashwin to N Dickwella, OUT! Another one bites the dust! Ashwin gets his third and boy, he is up and running at the Kotla. He undercuts this one and lands it around off. The length was a tad shorter and that made Dickwella go back to cut. The ball goes straight on and he ends up missing it completely. Sadly for him, it has gone on to remove the off stump from its position. You give an inch to the Indian and they grab a mile. They are all over the Lankans on this side of the Tea break as |
| SURANGA LAKMAL makes his way out to the middle next. The free-flowing innings that he played towards the end of the last game seems to have earned him this promotion. |
| 119.3 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, Floated up around middle, Lakmal looks to defend but gets struck on the pads. The fielders ask the question to no avail. Sliding down. |
| 119.4 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. |
| 119.5 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, Lakmal gets off the mark by flicking it through mid-wicket. |
| 119.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 120.1 : I Sharma to Lakmal, This is sprayed down the leg side, Lakmal misses the flick. |
| 120.2 : I Sharma to Lakmal, Lakmal stays put in the crease and blocks it. |
| 120.3 : I Sharma to Lakmal, Length delivery angling down leg, Suranga fails to flick it away. Gets it off the thigh pads towards square leg. A leg bye stolen. |
| 120.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. They pick up a single. The Umpire signals Leg Bye. |
| 120.5 : I Sharma to Lakmal, Lakmal blocks it from the crease. |
| 120.6 : I Sharma to Lakmal, SL stays his ground and bunts it. |
| 121.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated around off, Chandimal lunges forward in defense. |
| 121.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal punches it through covers for one run. |
| 121.3 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, FOUR! Will this be a confidence booster for the no.9? It is a slider on a shorter length just outside off, Lakmal goes back and thrashes it through covers for a boundary. |
| 121.4 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, Forward defense displayed by Lakmal to this one. |
| 121.5 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, Lovely delivery to the lower order bat. Ashwin tosses it up outside off, the ball spins past the defensively poked bat and settles in the gloves of the keeper. |
| 121.6 : R Ashwin to Lakmal, Shortish delivery around off and middle, Lakmal goes back and pulls it back towards mid on who stands a touch deep. No run though. |
| MOHAMMED SHAMI back for another burst. |
| 122.1 : M Shami to D Chandimal, Fuller outside off, driven straight to covers. |
| 122.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Between overs, the fourth umpire was seen handing over the light meter to the on-field umpire. |
| 122.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Chandimal crosses over by pushing this delivery through covers. |
| 122.4 : M Shami to Lakmal, OUT! Oh dear! This is all coming downhill for Sri Lanka. Chandimal is losing partners quickly than small children rush on the sight of toffees! The bowling change works for India. Shami is brought back and he lands a length delivery around off from over the wicket. Lakmal pokes at it from the crease. The ball kisses the outside edge and flies to the right of Saha. He dives to his right and grabs that with both hands. Sri Lanka still haven't avoided the follow-on, techn |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE walks in at number 10. Can he hang on with his skipper? Fading light is a factor, remember. |
| 122.5 : M Shami to Gamage, What a leave! Fuller delivery outside off, Gamage strides forward, covers his stumps and shoulders arms to that one. |
| 122.6 : M Shami to Gamage, This one is too wide to elicit any response from the batsman. |
| 123.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal uses his feet to come down and takes a single to long on. |
| 123.2 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Gamage lunges forward and blocks this solidly. |
| 123.3 : R Ashwin to Gamage, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| The floodlights have been switched on. |
| 123.4 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Gamage picks up a run by driving it through point for a single. |
| 123.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal slaps it through cover-point to jog to the other end. |
| 123.6 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Around off, kept off watchfully. |
| 124.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! The follow-on has been avoided, though I am not sure it would have been enforced by India. On a length outside off, Chandimal hangs his bat at that. The ball flies through the gap between the gully and the second slip fielder off the edge of the bat for a boundary. |
| 124.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length around middle, clipped towards mid-wicket. |
| 124.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, This ball is hit to the fielder stationed at mid-wicket. |
| 124.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 124.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! The ball continues to follow Vijay Shankar. Shami lands it on a length around middle and leg, Chandimal hops and clips it off his pads. The ball races through backward square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left but doesn't have a chance of cutting that off. |
| 124.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bouncer in line of the stumps, ducked under by Dinesh. |
| 125.1 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Floated around middle, dead-batted off the front foot. |
| 125.2 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Almost! Ashwin lands it around off and middle, Gamage lunges forward in defense. The ball lobs off something to the left of short leg. Dhawan looks to dive but doesn't. It wasn't near him though. The replay shows that it came off the gloves. Perhaps a better fielder there would have done better. |
| 125.3 : R Ashwin to Gamage, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 125.4 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Gamage blocks it from the crease. |
| 125.5 : R Ashwin to Gamage, Ashwin changes his angle to bowl over the wicket. Lands it around off, blocked from within the crease. |
| 125.6 : R Ashwin to Gamage, This ball is pushed to the cover region. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA to roll his arm over. |
| 126.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Flatter on the pads, nudged away to fine leg for a run. Strange tactic to expose the tailender for 5 balls. |
| 126.2 : R Jadeja to Gamage, Around off and middle, defended from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 126.3 : R Jadeja to Gamage, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 126.4 : R Jadeja to Gamage, Gamage keeps it out watchfully. |
| Gamage is a goner! Not as easy as it is though, as the batsman chooses to review it immediately. It is against an LBW decision and it looks plumb unless an inside edge saves him. |
| 126.5 : R Jadeja to Gamage, OUT! It is umpire's call but that means Gamage has to continue his walk back to the pavilion. Another time when Kohli's bowling change reaps rewards immediately. Jadeja fires this at 89kmph around middle, Lahiru looks to defend. Misses the ball completely and the ball makes contact with the front pad. Looked plumb to the naked eye and hence when the Indians appealed, the umpire upheld that. Gamage, however, opts for the review straightaway. The Hawk Eye shows that it |
| The last man in for Sri Lanka is LAKSHAN SANDAKAN. |
| 126.6 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Around off and middle, blocked solidly. |
| 127.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Another LBW appeal, turned down. Ashwin floats it around off, Chandimal looks to flick it but the ball goes off his pads towards point. The Indians appeal to no avail. |
| 127.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman dances down the track. |
| 127.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal is up for a fight. Seeing some flight on this delivery, he charges down and hits it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 127.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, This one is flicked round the corner for a run. |
| 127.5 : R Ashwin to L Sandakan, The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. |
| 127.6 : R Ashwin to Sandakan, Outside off, Sandakan refuses to play that. |
| The light meter is taken out to take the reading. The visibility is good for the play to continue, deem the umpires and hence we continue. |
| 128.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Chandimal stays in the crease and keeps it out. |
| 128.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Flatter around off, defended towards the point region. |
| 128.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, DC has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 128.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Now the skipper pushes it through covers to get to the other end. Leaves the no.11 to see off the last two balls. |
| 128.5 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Sandakan keeps it out watchfully. |
| 128.6 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Served around off, bunted from the crease. |
| 129.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, SIX! Chandimal is playing cleverly here. Attacks the initial deliveries of the over and then moves to the other end. Seeing the flight on offer, he slinks down and hits it over deep mid-wicket. The umpire is unsure whether it is a four or a six and hence goes upstairs. The replay shows that the ball hit the ropes on the full. A maximum it is to bring up 350 for Sri Lanka. The trail is down to 181. |
| 129.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Quicker one around off and middle, Chandimal stonewalls it. |
| 129.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Charged down and blocked with a straight bat. |
| 129.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it towards covers. A run taken. |
| 129.5 : R Ashwin to Sandakan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 129.6 : R Ashwin to Sandakan, Sandakan sees off the final ball of the over safely by blocking it. |
| And once more the light meter comes out of the umpire's pocket. This time the reading seals it. The light doesn't permit further play and hence it is STUMPS, DAY 3! |
| It is often said that only the last mile is the hardest one when you have to cover a long distance. Sri Lanka's progression today stands true to the above sentence. Till the time the Mathews-Chandimal pair batted, it seemed a very benign surface. The Indians used all the tricks up their sleeve yet couldn't break that stand before it was worth 181 runs. After the former skipper's departure, the youngster Samarawickrama combined with his captain to forge a useful half-century stand. |
| Once the hosts broke through that stand, the fall of wickets were like children coming down a slide on a park. The visitors lost three wickets in the space of 17 balls to concede the upper hand to the home side. Their long batting order couldn't help them keep the Indians at bay for long. All the Indian bowlers made merry while the opportunity was ripe to add a few numbers to their wickets column. |
| As much as India's shoddy fielding, well, catching or dropping of catches will be talked about, Saha's glovework will still be the highlight of the Indian fielding. The wicketkeeper pulled off a stunner to send Sadeera packing and added one more athletic diving catch to end Lakmal's stint. Yes, that doesn't hide the home side's vulnerable slip cordon but it can at least be a solace. |
| Russel Arnold catches up with Angelo Mathews on the sidelines. He admits that this wasn't one of his most fluent knocks and he had to work extremely hard. There is a sense of pleasure and relief after the knock as in the end runs matter, he opines. Adds that he was hitting the ball well and was disappointed to not have continued after getting to a 50 in Kolkata. He enjoys challenges and the pressure that come with representing the nation. When asked whether he remembered his dismissal on 99, whe |
| Often matches are turned or won by individual brilliances. But the heart of the sport is teamwork. Chandimal would be ruing the fact that his batters aren't supporting him in keeping the hosts on the field for longer durations. He is unbeaten with a valiant 147, to add to his fifties in both the innings of the previous test. How long can he manage to be there? A Test 150 beckons. His best score in the format isn't far either - 162. Will he go past that? Join us tomorrow to know more. 0930 local |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka. On the back of the 181-run stand between Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka scripted an inspirational comeback. After the departure of the ex-Lankan skipper who made a resolute ton, there was also a 61-run stand between the captain and Samarawickrama (who was declared fit to bat and came down the order). However, after that, all the hard work was undone by another Sri Lankan bat |
| The hosts have pounced on the opportunities they got. They are still ahead by 180 runs and will be aiming to wrap up the tourists as quickly as possible. The Sri Lankan skipper is still out there, three runs short of a 150, and has played a commendable knock so far. Ending the innings with a flourish is what he will be striving for. The visitors will know that it won't be an easy task for them to bat last on this surface with the two formidable spin twins in the opposition ranks. |
| The Lankan Lions need to put in a much better bowling performance if they are to save the game or even generate sparks of winning it. Will they rise to the occasion? Or will the Indians dominate the proceedings and further drive the advantage in their favour? Stay with us to find out... |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold and Sunil Gavaskar are out in the middle inspecting the pitch. The former says that it is looking a lot better than expected. Gavaskar adds that there hasn't been much deterioration in the track. Mentions that only the odd ball is playing tricks. States that Ashwin is a dangerous bowler whenever there is assistance on offer and feels that he will hold the key for the hosts. Adds that there are some footmarks on the good length areas which can be exploited but it is n |
| We are set to get rolling. There is a lot of haze around as usual. Dinesh Chandimal and Lakshan Sandakan will resume their innings. Can the last batting pair frustrate the Indians? Let's see. We have a 4-minute early start today as stumps was declared yesterday 4 minutes earlier than the scheduled close of play. Two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 130.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, On the mark straightaway! Shami steams in and bangs in a bouncer around off, Chandimal arches back, drops his wrists and lets it go. |
| 130.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Back of a length delivery outside off, the Lankan skipper hangs back and punches it to cover-point. |
| 130.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length delivery on off, Chandimal works it nicely through wide mid on and returns for a brace. |
| 130.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, 4th 150-plus score for Chandimal in Test cricket! Well played! He has looked in complete control throughout the innings. Short of a length delivery outside off, Chandimal chops it down to third man for a run. He raises his bat towards the dressing room and his effort is acknowledged by his teammates. |
| Three slips and a gully in place for Sandakan. Can he survive? |
| 130.5 : M Shami to Sandakan, Stays back to the good length delivery and blocks it. |
| 130.6 : M Shami to Sandakan, Fullish in length outside off, Sandakan pokes at it and is late to withdraw his bat. Gets beaten all ends up but manages to survive. |
| Ishant Sharma to run in from the other end. Three slips in place. |
| 131.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Full delivery well outside off, Chandimal goes at it with hard hands and plays it towards covers where the fielder dives to his left to make a good stop. |
| 131.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Back of a length delivery, Chandimal cuts it away towards deep point but doesn't take the single. |
| 131.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR! Streak runs! In the zone of apprehension, Chandimal throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge past the slip cordon. Gets another boundary to his name. |
| 131.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length delivery around off, Chandimal prods forward to defend but gets an inside edge to square leg. Decides to take the run this time and expose the tailender for the last two deliveries. |
| 131.5 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Well bowled! Full delivery outside off, Sandakan feels for it and gets foxed. |
| 131.6 : I Sharma to Sandakan, This time it is hurled well outside off and Sandakan doesn't flirt with it. |
| 132.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fullish delivery on off, patted back to the bowler. |
| 132.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Good length delivery outside off, Chandimal strides forward and blocks it stoutly. |
| 132.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fullish delivery tailing into Chandimal who tucks it towards square leg but doesn't take the run. |
| The field comes in for stopping the single. |
| 132.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 132.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Easy pickings! Shami runs in and slips this on a length down the leg side, Chandimal moves inside the line and tucks it fine past the keeper for a boundary. |
| 132.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Nice improvisation! Shortish delivery around off, Chandimal arches back and ramps it over the slip region to pick up a boundary. Chandimal moves on to 163, his best score in Tests. 8 from the over. |
| 133.1 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Fullish delivery outside off, swinging in. Sandakan pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 0.0 : Leg gully and a short leg in place now. |
| 133.2 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Back of a length delivery outside off, Sandakan hops back and blocks it. |
| 133.3 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Fuller length delivery outside off, shaping away. Sandakan fishes at it and once again gets foxed. |
| 133.4 : I Sharma to Sandakan, On a good length but well outside off, Sandakan again plays away from the body and doesn't make any contact. |
| 133.5 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Sharma runs in from around the wicket and bangs in a sharp bouncer on leg stump, Sandakan has to duck under it to evade it. |
| Rohit Sharma is having a good time at short leg. He is constantly talking to Sandakan and is having a laugh about it. The No. 11 is being really tested by Ishant. Tough times for him. |
| 133.6 : I Sharma to Sandakan, Full delivery slanting across Sandakan who plays at it but misses. Sharma has a stare at him and also has a smile on his face. End of an entertaining over. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA to roll over his arm now. |
| 134.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Starts off with a tossed up delivery from around the wicket, kept out watchfully. |
| 134.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Strides forward to this one and blocks it. |
| 134.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Well bowled! Drifting in with the angle, Chandimal uses his feet and tries to turn it to the leg side but gets a leading edge behind point. A run taken. |
| 134.4 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Down the leg side, Sandakan misses his flick. |
| 134.5 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 134.6 : R Jadeja to Sandakan, Flighted delivery, Sandakan is once again compact in his defense and survives. |
| 135.1 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Fullish delivery around off, pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 135.2 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length delivery outside off, played to deep point but Chandimal decides against the run again as usual. |
| The artificial lights are on at the Kotla. |
| 135.3 : I Sharma to Chandimal, OUT! Chandimal holes out after a terrific knock! Third wicket for Ishant Sharma and he has reaped the dividends for his hard work. Short delivery and width on offer as well, Chandimal goes for a slash but only manages to get a thick outside edge. The ball flies towards Shikhar Dhawan at fine leg who stays composed and takes a good catch with a reverse cup. SRI LANKA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 373! |
| It didn't take much time for India to take the last wicket this morning. A lead of 163 is a substantial one, especially on Indian tracks on Day 4. Chandimal was the star for the visitors as he scored a personal best 164 in Test cricket and showed tremendous composure to bat till the end. Earlier, Mathews rode his luck but went on to score a brilliant ton. Apart from those two, the rest of the batting order was not up to the mark. |
| The Indian bowlers were more or less on the money. The pacers, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami bowled with a lot of heart picking up three and two wickets respectively. The spin twins, Ashwin and Jadeja made life difficult for the opposition as well. India hold the edge and Sri Lanka need to bowl extremely well in order to come back into the contest. Join us for India's reply with the bat. |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Good length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Vijay points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Short of a length outside off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| A lot of Sri Lankan players take the field with their masks on. Not surprising as they have done so earlier in the game as well. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Well bowled! On a length in the zone of apprehension, moving away after pitching. Vijay feels for it and gets beaten. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Vijay, FOUR! Smashed! Shortish in length, a bit of room as well. Vijay camps back and slaps it with authority through covers to find the fence. India are away. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to M Vijay, FOUR! Certainly a change in approach from Vijay. With a healthy lead in the kitty, he is playing shots off deliveries which he normally leaves. Good length delivery well outside off, Vijay pushes at it with hard hands and gets a thick edge. Beats gully and runs away to the fence. |
| A deep point in place now as second slip has moved out. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Vijay, Back of a length delivery outside off, Vijay prods forward in defense. |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE to steam in from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 1.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Back of a length delivery slanting across Dhawan. He stands tall and cuts it behind point for a single. |
| 1.2 : L Gamage to Vijay, Fullish delivery outside off, stays low. Vijay plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 1.3 : L Gamage to Vijay, Length delivery outside off, Murali stays back and defends it with authority. |
| 1.4 : L Gamage to Vijay, Intentions are clear from Vijay. He is not going to hold back. Back of a length delivery, nipping in substantially. Vijay looks to smash it through the line but misses. |
| 1.5 : L Gamage to Vijay, This delivery stays low again. Fullish outside off, Vijay lets it go. |
| 1.6 : L Gamage to Vijay, Back of a length around off, pushed wide of mid on for a run. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Vijay, OUT! Lakmal strikes! Vijay was playing differently and has sacrificed his wicket. Perhaps, the suggestion from the dressing room might have been to play attacking cricket. On a length around off, swinging away. Vijay doesn't move his feet much and goes for a loose drive. Ends up getting a faint edge behind and Dickwella moves to his right to take a regulation catch. The Sri Lankans appeals and up goes the umpire's finger. India lead by 173. |
| 0.0 : Ajinkya Rahane has been promoted up the order. Wise decision from the skipper. Rahane has been struggling with his form and it is a good opportunity for him to get among the runs with India holding the edge at the moment. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Well outside off, Rahane lets it go. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Rahane is off the mark! Good length delivery on the hips, Rahane tucks it to fine leg for a single. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Back of a length outside off, chopped past point for a single. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Fullish delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Length delivery outside off, pushed off the back foot to backward point. |
| 3.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Slips this one down the leg side, Dhawan tries to clip it away but misses. |
| 3.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Back of a length delivery on off, Dhawan hangs back and defends it in a compact manner. |
| 3.3 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Length delivery outside off, Dhawan lifts his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 3.4 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Short of a length outside off, Dhawan doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 3.5 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Fullish in length outside off, Shikhar plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 3.6 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Similar delivery outside off, Dhawan remains circumspect in approach and defends it solidly. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Back of a length ball, Rahane hangs back and defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 0.0 : Rahane has been given out LBW. He has a chat with his partner and goes for the review. Seems to be missing leg at the first go. |
| 4.2 : Lakmal to Rahane, NOT OUT! Rahane will be relieved! He is in bad form in recent matches and this dismissal would have added to his misery. Good length ball, tailing back to the Rahane, he tries to flick it to mid-wicket and misses it completely. The ball goes to hit his leg and the Sri Lankan players go up in unison. The umpire gives it out and Rahane decides to take the review. Hawk Eye shows that the ball would go on to miss the leg stump. Kohli from the dressing room is delighted and app |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Rahane, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Outside off, left alone. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Served around off, Rahane plays it to point for nothing. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Outside off, left alone from Rahane. |
| 5.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Length delivery outside off, not much nibble in the air. Dhawan leaves it alone and lets it sail into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 5.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Fuller in length outside off, Shikhar makes another leave. |
| 5.3 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Fullish delivery slanting across the southpaw, he puts in a confident stride forward and eases it to cover-point. |
| 5.4 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Good length delivery outside off, Shikhar plants his front foot across and lets it safely through. |
| 5.5 : L Gamage to Dhawan, This is a shot which is played in ODI cricket. Full length delivery on middle and leg, Dhawan whips it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| Lakmal is struggling. This is the second time Lakmal is throwing up on the field. He hasn't been able to cope up with the hazy conditions. The physio is taking him off the field. Hope he is alright. Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka is the substitute fielder. |
| 5.6 : L Gamage to Rahane, Fractionally overpitched outside off, driven off the front foot to mid off. |
| DILRUWAN PERERA comes into the attack. |
| 6.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, A stifled appeal for a bat-pad denied! Quicker delivery, sliding in. Dhawan tries to defend it but misses. The ball hits his pad and carries to to the short leg fielder. Casual query from Sri Lanka to which the umpire pays no heed. There was no bat involved. |
| 6.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Hangs back to this one and defends it solidly. |
| 6.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan is nimble on his feet and knocks it down to long off to rotate strike. |
| 6.4 : D Perera to Rahane, FOUR! That shot will ease his nerves! Tossed up delivery outside off, Rahane dances down the track and lifts it over mid off and picks up a boundary to his name. |
| 6.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Loopy delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 6.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Shorter in length this time, spinning in. Rahane hangs back and clips it besides the pitch on the leg side. Dhananjaya de Silva who is wearing a mask runs to his left, dives full length and makes a brilliant save. |
| 7.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Good length ball around off, Dhawan does not fiddle with it. |
| 7.2 : L Gamage to S Dhawan, Back of a length, Dhawan pulls it to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 7.3 : L Gamage to Dhawan, 1 run. |
| 7.4 : L Gamage to Rahane, Short again, Rahane tries to pull it but misses. |
| 7.5 : L Gamage to Rahane, Fuller length this time, Rahane drives it to mid on for nothing. |
| 7.6 : L Gamage to Rahane, Bowlwed at a fuller length, Rahane drives it to cover. |
| 8.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Makes good use of the depth of the crease and turns it past short leg for a run. |
| 8.2 : D Perera to Rahane, Rahane uses his feet and clips it to short mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : D Perera to Rahane, FOUR! Great shot! A touch short outside off, spinning in. Rahane rocks back and cuts it against the spin through covers to find the fence. Never easy to plays such shots against spin but he executed that to perfection. |
| 8.4 : D Perera to Rahane, Comes forward and defends it with the turn to short leg. |
| 8.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Quicker one on middle, kept out watchfully. |
| Review time for Sri Lanka! Chandimal decides to review the decision after a chat with the bowler and the keeper. Ajinkya Rahane is the man in question. Seems close to the naked eye but might be sliding down leg. |
| 8.6 : Perera to Rahane, Not Out! Sri Lanka do no lose a review though as it was umpire's call. On a flatter trajectory around off, spinning in. Rahane goes deep in the crease to work it across but misses to get pinged on the back pad. The visitors appeal loudly but umpire Nigel Llong stays put. Perera is not that confident and he walks towards Dickwella. The keeper feels it will be touch and go and tells his skipper to take the review. Chandimal challenges the decision. Time for the replays. Ther |
| Drinks have been taken. India loose a wicket early in their innings but have come out with a positive intent. Their batsmen are playing shots to deliveries that they would leave on another day. Kohli's decision to send Rahane up the order has seen him getting lucky twice by the review. The Sri Lankan bowlers have bowled at good lines and are using the morning conditions well. |
| 9.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Back of a length outside off, played with an angled bat towards cover-point. |
| 0.0 : Lakmal is seen sitting on the sidelines. Sri Lanka will want him to be fit soon and take the field. |
| 9.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Similar delivery and width on offer, chopped behind point for a single. |
| 9.3 : L Gamage to Rahane, Bouncer outside off, Rahane lets it go with ease. |
| 9.4 : L Gamage to Rahane, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 9.5 : L Gamage to Rahane, Loose shot! Shortish delivery and room on offer, Rahane goes for a slash but fails to make any contact. |
| 9.6 : L Gamage to A Rahane, Tossed up delivery, eased off the front foot to mid off. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is ambling back to the field with a mask on. Immediately removes his mask, hands it to the umpire and gets ready to bowl. |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Bowled outside off, Dhawan leaves it alone. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Back of a length ball, Dhawan tries to defend it but gets a bottom edge to it. The ball dies down into the ground. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, In the zone at a shorter length outside off, Dhawan goes hard at it but misses the ball. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Short ball around off, Dhawan plays it square off the wicket for a single. |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Back of a length ball, Rahane cuts it to point. |
| DILRUWAN PERERA gets a change of ends. |
| 11.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Loopy delivery on off, Dhawan lunges forward in defense. |
| 11.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Coming in with the arm, Dhawan tries to tuck it but gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 11.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter in length, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 11.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Slower through the air, Dhawan shimmies down the track and knocks it down to long off for a run. |
| 11.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Quick and flat outside off, Rahane shuffles across, covers his stumps and makes an assured leave. |
| 11.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Uses his feet and turns it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.1 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Fullish delivery on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 12.2 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Shortish delivery outside off, staying low. Rahane is surprised by the lack of bounce and gets beaten on the inside edge. |
| 12.3 : S Lakmal to A Rahane, Fullish delivery, eased off the front foot to covers. |
| 12.4 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Fullish delivery, knocked to mid off. |
| 12.5 : S Lakmal to Rahane, On a length outside off, played with an open bat face to point. |
| 12.6 : S Lakmal to Rahane, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| Rahane has been struggling a lot in this series. His feet are not moving the way they should and as a result, he is playing false strokes. He is not judging the lengths properly and that is why he is reacting late as well. An important overseas tour of South Africa is coming up. Rahane needs to work on his technique as he is a really vital cog in the wheel for the Indians. His average away from home is really impressive too. He needs a few good knocks under his belt before heading to South Afric |
| 13.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Strides forward and clips it with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 13.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter in length, worked around the corner for a single. |
| 13.3 : D Perera to Rahane, Spinning into Rahane who strides forward to block it. |
| 13.4 : D Perera to Rahane,OUT! Rahane's poor patch continues! He has looked out of sorts throughout the series and his worries only seem to increase. Loopy delivery outside off, Rahane uses his feet and looks to go over long on but the bat turns in his hands. Ends up dragging it towards Lakshan Sandakan in the same region. He bends a bit and pouches it safely. Good passage of play for the Sri Lankans. The hosts are ahead by 192 runs. |
| Cheteshwar Pujara walks in. |
| 13.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single |
| 13.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Slow through the air, blocked watchfully. |
| 14.1 : S Lakmal to Pujara, On a channel of a good length, Pujara doesn't play at it. |
| 14.2 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Good length ball, outside off, Che doesn't flirt with it. |
| 14.3 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Length ball in line of the stumps this time, Pujara shows him the sticker of his bat. |
| 14.4 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Lakmal misses his length, Pujara hangs back and pushes it through point for a brace. |
| 14.5 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Served a good length and the ball nips back to Pujara. He tries to defend it but misses the edge of the bat. |
| 14.6 : S Lakmal to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 15.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Tossed up delivery, Dhawan uses his feet and knocks it down to long off for a single. |
| 15.2 : D Perera to C Pujara, That was a peach of a delivery! Quicker through the air on off, Pujara is squared up in his stance and gets it off the outer half past point. A run taken. |
| 15.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Not convincing but he will take it. Loopy delivery around off, Dhawan uses his feet and looks to drive it on the up but is not in control. Gets it through cover-point and comes back for the second. |
| 15.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Darted in, tucked towards short fine leg for a quick single. There is a wayward throw at the keeper's end but it doesn't result in any extra run. India lead by 200 now. |
| 15.5 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Well played! Floated delivery on off, Pujara shimmies down the track and drives it elegantly past the bowler. The fielder at mid off had no chance of cutting that off and a boundary it is. With that, Pujara becomes the leading run-scorer in Tests in 2017 going past Dean Elgar. His prolific form continues. |
| 15.6 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Shortish delivery outside off, Pujara sits back and punches it through covers to find the ropes again. |
| 16.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Lakmal bowls this on a fuller length, Dhawan flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : A man from square leg is moved to covers. |
| 16.2 : S Lakmal to Pujara, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 16.3 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Pujara clearly showing his intent here. This ball is bowled at a fuller length. Pujara tries to play it over covers but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes towards Karunaratne at deep point who is late to react before throwing it back. The batsmen pick up a brace. |
| 16.4 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Served on a fuller length, Pujara tries to flick it but the ball takes the leading edge and goes through covers. A couple taken. |
| 16.5 : S Lakmal to Pujara, That's nasty! Shortish delivery around off, Pujara gets into an awkward position and tries to keep it out but gets hit on the glove. The ball then deflects onto his stomach. Good pace and bounce from Lakmal. |
| 16.6 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Shorter in length around off, tucked past mid-wicket for a single. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| After bowling out Sri Lanka early in the morning, India have tried to force the initiative but not with much success. Rahane was promoted up the order but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. He survived a couple of DRS calls and never looked settled in the middle. Eventually, he holed out attempting a big shot. He has been dismal in this series which is a rarity. Still, the hosts are in the driver's seat with a healthy lead of 214 in their kitty. |
| The Sri Lankans will be aiming to trigger a collapse after the lunch interval. Things won't be easy for them though as India have capable batsmen waiting in the wings. Lakmal threw up once again but thankfully for the visitors, he is fine and is back on the field. The tourists in general continue to struggle to cope up with the hazy conditions. Let's see if they can adjust well this time. The ploy from the hosts will be to keep batting with a positive mindset and take the visitors out of the gam |
| ... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ... |
| The men who matter make their way out to the middle after having what should have been a sumptuous meal. SHIKHAR DHAWAN is seen walking with his left arm around Dickwella's neck. A talk about Delhi weather? Or the menu for the dinner, perhaps? Maybe the plans about the Indian batter's birthday party? CHETESHWAR PUJARA also walks in to the middle, batting at more than run a ball at the moment. DILRUWAN PERERA to kick off the session. |
| 17.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Starts from round the wicket and bowls it flatter on the pads. Pujara clips it towards short leg. |
| 17.2 : D Perera to Pujara, This time Pujara gets it past the bat-pad for a single. |
| 17.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around off, Dhawan lunges forward in defense. |
| 17.4 : D Perera to S Dhawan, Flatter outside off served on a shorter length, Dhawan stays deep in the crease and plays the square cut. The fielder at backward point dives to his right but just manages to parry it towards third man. The batsmen, meanwhile cross over for a single. Seeing the fielder being a bit slow to get to the ball, a late decision is taken to go for the second and it is completed with ease. |
| 17.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 17.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan eases this down to long on for a single to retain strike. |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE will run in from the other end. With Lakmal not looking at his best in the first session, it is imperative for this pacer to hold his own. |
| 18.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Gamage begins from round the wicket and bangs it on a shorter length. Dhawan pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket. Gets only a run as the fielder in the deep does well to not concede another. |
| 18.2 : L Gamage to Pujara, FOUR! Ahhh! Not acceptable that from Karunaratne. Fuller outside off, Pujara drives it nicely towards covers. The fielder gets to his left but dives over the ball instead of stopping that. It trickles away to the fence. |
| 18.3 : L Gamage to Pujara, This is outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 18.4 : L Gamage to Pujara, On a length outside off, Pujara defends it and looks to take a start for a run. As he does so, the ball hits his bat and he ends up pushing it to the man at covers. |
| 18.5 : L Gamage to Pujara, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 18.6 : L Gamage to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Served around off, blocked solidly off the front foot. |
| 19.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 19.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan defensively pushes it towards covers. |
| 19.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, This is bowled around off, Dhawan defends it solidly. |
| 19.5 : D Perera to S Dhawan, This time Dhawan drives it through covers and picks up a single. |
| 19.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara turns it through mid-wicket and rotates strike. |
| 20.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller length ball outside off, Pujara presents a straight defensive bat. |
| 20.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Similar delivery outside off, left alone by Che. |
| 20.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Another full delivery outside off, Pujara extends the bat as he drives it towards mid off. |
| 20.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara stays in the crease and stonewalls it. |
| 20.5 : D Perera to Pujara, A straight bat face shown in defending this ball around off. |
| Interestingly, Pujara is batting on 23 off 28 balls while Dhawan is on 20 off 48. A sort of role reversals it seems. Generally the southpaw is known to tee off while the no.3 batter is known to graft it out in the beginning. Seems to be a case of the batsmen playing according to their form and the game time that they've had. |
| 20.6 : D Perera to Pujara, This ball is outside off, shouldered arms to by CP. It's a no ball as Gamage has overstepped. |
| D Perera to Pujara, Pujara pushes it to mid off. |
| 21.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, I think Dhawan read that previous insert somehow. He charges down the track to hit it past covers. Gets just one though. |
| 21.2 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Shot! If you want to show someone how to use his/her feet to the ball, this is the one. Perera floats it around off, Pujara slinks down and drives it straight down the ground. The mid off fielder tries to stop it but fails to do so. A boundary results. |
| 21.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Cheteshwar gets down the track and whips it towards deep square leg for a brace. |
| 21.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Pushed towards point from the crease. |
| 21.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara lunges forward in defense. |
| 21.6 : D Perera to Pujara, 'Two, two, two...' shouts Pujara as soon as he clips it towards fine leg. Shows the intensity in the running and gets the brace with ease. |
| Suranga Lakmal is seen sitting out of the playing field. The struggle is a bit too much for the bowler, who is the most experienced of the visiting bowlers. |
| 22.1 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Fuller outside off, driven straight to the man at mid off. |
| 22.2 : L Gamage to Dhawan, This is landed outside off, Shikhar covers his stumps and lets that go. |
| 22.3 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Another harmless delivery outside off, Dhawan just lets it be. |
| 22.4 : L Gamage to Dhawan, Shikhar drives it through wide mid off. Chandimal runs towards it, outs in the dive and restricts the batter to just one. Gamage has crossed the line and hence it is a no ball. |
| L Gamage to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 22.5 : L Gamage to Pujara, Pujara hits it towards covers. |
| 22.6 : L Gamage to Pujara, On the pads, flicked away through square leg for a single. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA to bowl his off-breaks now. He looked good with the ball although he was wicketless. |
| 23.1 : de Silva to Pujara, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, says Pujara with a boundary. The bowler has been given a 6-3 leg side field and Cheteshwar says he'll counter that to score runs. De Silva comes round the wicket and floats it around off. The right-handed batsman charges down and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Deep cover in place. |
| 23.2 : de Silva to Pujara, Pujara now turns it through mid-wicket and jogs to the other end. |
| 23.3 : de Silva to Dhawan, Dhawan lunges forward to keep it out watchfully. |
| 23.4 : de Silva to Dhawan, Around off and middle, Shikhar flicks it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 23.5 : de Silva to Pujara, Pujara gets on the back foot and punches it towards covers. |
| 23.6 : de Silva to C Pujara, Finds the mid on fielder with this push. |
| Change of ends for DILRUWAN PERERA. |
| 24.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan punches this off the back foot through covers for one. |
| 0.0 : 'Aaaah' shout the Lankans for an LBW decision against Pujara. The umpire doesn't agree and the visitors opt for the DRS. |
| 24.2 : Perera to Pujara, NOT OUT! Nigel Llong has got this spot on! This delivery is floated around off, Pujara lunges forward in defense but gets hit on the front pad. His bat is also very close to the pad. The visitors appeal but the umpire shakes his head in negation. The close-in fielders egg their skipper to review this and he takes it upstairs. There was always a doubt that Pujara's bat could have hit it. But no! There wasn't much spin on that ball and hence although the impact was umpire's |
| 24.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara comes down and whips it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 24.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 24.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. One run added to the total. |
| 24.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara looks to cut but misses the ball. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is back into the attack. De Silva bowled a solitary over, maybe just to change ends of Perera. |
| 25.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Around off, the batter blocks it from the crease. |
| 25.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Fuller outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 25.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Lakmal bowls it outside off, Dhawan charges down and looks to attack the bowler. The ball bounces just in front of the keeper and he fails to make a clean stop. Concedes a bye. |
| 25.4 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 25.5 : S Lakmal to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.6 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Pujara stays put in the crease and blocks it stoutly. |
| 26.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Flatter around off, Dhawan goes back and punches it to long on for a single. |
| 26.2 : D Perera to Pujara, As seen throughout this innings, Pujara has shown positive intent by using his feet against the spinner. Does so yet again as he flicks it to the man at deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 26.3 : D Perera to S Dhawan, FOUR! The ball came to Sandakan before noon and he dived after noon! Flatter outside off, Dhawan goes back and cuts it towards backward point. A misfield there makes the ball go to the fence. Dhawan gets to 8000 first-class runs with this. |
| 26.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Tapped towards covers for a single. |
| 26.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara works it away off his pads for a single. |
| 26.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Good work, Chandimal! Dhawan comes down and plays the cover drive, the fielder there dives to prevent a run. |
| 27.1 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Length ball around off, punched towards covers. |
| 27.2 : S Lakmal to C Pujara, Similar delivery around off, Pujara stays in the crease and pushes it towards cover-point. |
| 27.3 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Pujara punches this to the man at covers. |
| 27.4 : S Lakmal to Pujara, This ball is flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| The commentators on air discuss about India's tactics here. They are unable to understand what the thinking might be in the Indian camp as the run rate is hovering around the 3-run mark. They observe that the Indians were more aggressive in the first innings than now, when they have a lead and have to set a target for the Lankans. It is observed that once the ball gets a bit older, the purchase off the surface reduces. Thus, it is imperative to make the right use of the new ball. |
| 27.5 : S Lakmal to S Dhawan, Fuller outside off, driven crisply to the cover fielder. |
| 27.6 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Dhawan pushes it to the cover region once again. |
| Change in bowling. DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is brought back for another over. |
| 28.1 : de Silva to Pujara, Served around middle and leg, flicked round the corner for a single. |
| 28.2 : de Silva to Dhawan, Dhananjaya loops it up around middle, Dhawan comes down to hit it to long on for one. |
| 28.3 : de Silva to Pujara, Pujara places it through covers and takes a run. |
| 28.4 : de Silva to Dhawan, Dhawan goes on the back foot and punches it to the man stationed at the mid-wicket boundary for one run. |
| 28.5 : de Silva to Pujara, Around middle and leg, flicked away through backward square leg for one. |
| 28.6 : de Silva to Dhawan, Dhawan hangs in his crease and safely negotiates the last ball of the over. |
| 29.1 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Fuller ball outside off, played defensively towards point. |
| 29.2 : S Lakmal to Pujara, Length ball outside off, punched towards cover-point. |
| As the talks about the range of target for Sri Lanka are on, the scorecard of the lone Sri Lanka - Zimbabwe Test played earlier this year flashes on screen. In that game, the Asian side chased down a target of 387 in the fourth innings to win the game. It will be interesting to remember, though, that they were run close by their lesser-fancied opponents. At the same time, currently, their batting doesn't seem to be in the same flow as in that game. |
| 29.3 : S Lakmal to Pujara, 100 up for India! Pujara hits it through covers to rotate strike and take India to a century. The lead moves up to 263 runs. |
| 29.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Dhawan stays in the crease and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 29.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Lakmal tries to go for the yorker and slips a low full toss around middle and leg. Dhawan clips it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 29.6 : S Lakmal to S Dhawan, Ends the over by hitting the ball straight to the man at mid off. |
| Drinks are on the field now. Although it has been a wicketless hour, the hosts aren't looking in a hurry to score runs quickly. A run rate of 3.40 doesn't show India as a team that is in a hurry to set a target for the opposition. Chandimal is rotating his bowlers in search of a wicket but is unsuccessful so far. The lead for the home side is 265 as of now. What does the upcoming hour hold for us? |
| 30.1 : de Silva to Pujara, Tossed up delivery on off, Pujara lunges forward in defense. |
| 30.2 : de Silva to Pujara, Nimble on his feet again. The urgency from Pujara is visible. He clips it through square leg and straightaway calls for a couple. Till the fielder moves to his right, collects it and throws it back, two runs have been taken. |
| 30.3 : de Silva to Pujara, Clips this one with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 30.4 : de Silva to Pujara, Slow through the air on leg stump, Pujara works it to fine leg for a brace. |
| 30.5 : de Silva to Pujara, Uses his feet to this one and turns it to square leg. |
| 30.6 : de Silva to C Pujara, OUT! A breezy knock from Pujara comes to an end! Brilliant take from Mathews to leave Pujara one short of a half century. Tossed up delivery around off, Pujara strides forward to play for the turn but it is not present. Ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies towards Mathews at first slip. He is sharp as a hawk, bends low to his left and takes a gem of a catch. First wicket for Dhananjaya de Silva in this match. |
| Time for the skipper, Virat Kohli to make his way to the middle. He is being cheered by his home crowd. He is going through a purple patch at the moment. Knowing the way he goes about his game, he will be eager to take the attack to the opposition. It will also be on his mind about when he should declare. |
| 31.1 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, On a length outside off, Dhawan uses his feet and smacks it towards cover. The fielder does well to get a hand to it as the ball parries behind. A couple is taken but Dhawan wants the third. The skipper rightly sends him back. |
| 31.2 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Back of a length delivery, Dhawan punches it hard towards Dhananjaya at short point where he dives to his left to make a great stop. |
| 31.3 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, FOUR! Shot! Fullish delivery around off, Dhawan comes forward and drills it through mid off for another boundary. |
| 31.4 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, Slower in pace and on a shorter length wide outside off, Dhawan goes for the cut but is beaten by the lack of pace. |
| 31.5 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, On middle and leg, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 31.6 : S Lakmal to Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan is almost going after every ball now. Short and width on offer, Dhawan rises on his toes and cracks it over point to find the ropes. |
| 32.1 : de Silva to Kohli, 1 run. |
| 32.2 : de Silva to S Dhawan, The batsman has driven it through mid off. They pick up a single. |
| 32.3 : de Silva to Kohli, On leg stump, tucked to mid-wicket. |
| 32.4 : de Silva to Kohli, Similar delivery, similar shot, same result. |
| 32.5 : de Silva to V Kohli, Clears his front leg to the fullish delivery and knocks it down to long on for a run. |
| 32.6 : de Silva to Dhawan, Hits this one hard through wide mid on for a run and moves to 49. |
| The batsmen take their helmets off as it is going to be spin from both ends. Lakshan Sandakan to roll his arm over for the first time in this innings. |
| 33.1 : L Sandakan to Dhawan, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly. |
| 33.2 : L Sandakan to Dhawan, 6th Test fifty for Shikhar Dhawan! Waits for the ball to come to him and punches it to wide long on to get to the other end. He has a grin on him face and the crowd acknowledges his knock. |
| 33.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Leans into the stroke and milks it down to long on for a run. |
| 33.4 : L Sandakan to Dhawan, SIX! That's the shot of man in prime form! Tossed up outside off, Dhawan skips down the track and tonks it down the ground. It has come right off the screws and flies over the sightscreen. That brings up 2000 Test runs for Dhawan as well. |
| 33.5 : L Sandakan to Dhawan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 33.6 : L Sandakan to S Dhawan, Floated delivery, driven through covers for a run. |
| 34.1 : de Silva to Dhawan, FOUR! Brilliant! Dhawan skips down the track and Dhananjaya shortens his length. The southpaw is beaten in the flight as well but he is in such a zone that his timing is spot on. He punches it through long off for a rocketing boundary. |
| 34.2 : de Silva to Dhawan, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Drifting down the leg side, Dhawan paddle sweeps it through fine leg to find the fence. He is in ODI mode at the moment. |
| 34.3 : de Silva to Dhawan, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. |
| 34.4 : de Silva to Kohli, Clears his front leg and flicks it through mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 34.5 : de Silva to Dhawan, Coming in with the arm, punched to long on for a run. |
| 34.6 : de Silva to Kohli, Kohli whips this with the spin through mid-wicket for a run and will retain strike. |
| 35.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Waits for this one and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 35.2 : L Sandakan to Dhawan, OUT! Dhawan departs in a bid to up the ante! It has been a good knock from him nevertheless. Sandakan spots the southpaw charging down the track and hence, smartly floats it around his pads. Extracts substantial turn as well which is good enough to beat the outside edge of Dhawan's bat who was attempting a wild slog across the line. Dickwella collects it nicely and whips the bails off in a flash. Something to rejoice for the Sri Lankans. |
| ROHIT SHARMA strides out to bat. |
| 35.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Stays back and punches it to mid off. |
| 35.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 35.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Spinning into Sharma who tucks it around the corner for a run. |
| 35.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Quicker and flatter, blocked watchfully. |
| 36.1 : Gamage to R Sharma, FOUR! Streaky runs! They count no matter how they come. Back of a length delivery around off, Sharma goes for a half-hearted pull but gets a top edge over first slip and the ball races to the fence. |
| 36.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, On a length outside off, played with an open bat face to point. |
| 36.3 : L Gamage to Sharma, Fullish delivery on middle and leg, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 36.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, Similar length delivery, Kohli puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 36.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Trademark Kohli! Fullish delivery around off, Kohli walks down the track and whips it using his strong bottom hand. Gets it through mid-wicket for another boundary. |
| 36.6 : L Gamage to Kohli, Shortish delivery away outside off, cut away behind point for a single. 10 from the over. |
| 37.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Spinning into Rohit who defends it to short leg. |
| 37.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Hangs back to the shortish delivery and punches it through cover-point to rotate strike. |
| 37.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Drifting towards the pads, swept hard to fine leg for a brace. |
| 37.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Leg stumpish line again, whipped through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 37.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Turning in sharply from around off, Sharma stays back and defends it tentatively. |
| 38.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Fractionally overpitched on middle and leg, Kohli flicks it nonchalantly in front of square leg for a single. |
| 38.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, That was too close to cut and he almost chopped it back! Back of a length delivery close to the off stump, Sharma looks to manufacture a cut behind point but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 38.3 : L Gamage to R Sharma, FOUR! Effortless! Length delivery outside off, Sharma leans into it and caresses it through covers for a glorious boundary. |
| 38.4 : L Gamage to Sharma, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 38.5 : L Gamage to Kohli, No ball! Full on middle and leg, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single. Gamage has overstepped as well. |
| L Gamage to Sharma, Short of a length on middle, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 38.6 : L Gamage to Sharma, Angling in to Sharma, he turns it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.1 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, Strides forward and drives it through mid on for a run. |
| 39.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Waits for this one and tucks it through square leg for a run. |
| 39.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Camps back to the flatter delivery and blocks it. |
| 39.4 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, Sharma milks a single down to long on for a run. |
| 39.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Coming in with the arm, Kohli tucks it nicely through fine leg for a couple. |
| 39.6 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, Milked to long on for a run and Kohli will retain strike. |
| 40.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Length delivery around off, Kohli uses his feet and whips it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 40.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, Full length delivery, tailing in. Sharma tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 40.3 : L Gamage to Kohli, Uses his feet to this one but is not quite to the pitch of it. Does well to block it in the end. |
| 40.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, Around the hips, clipped past square leg for a single. |
| 40.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, FOUR! He is so good with his front foot pull shots. Shortish delivery, Sharma rises with the bounce and nails it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 40.6 : L Gamage to Sharma, Angling in Sharma who nudges it to mid on for a single. |
| 41.1 : L Sandakan to Sharma, FOUR! Sandakan was looking to bowl Sharma from outside leg stump but the batsman is up to the task. Crouches and sweeps it hard past the keeper to pick up another boundary. |
| 41.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.3 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, Well bowled! Sandakan slips in the googly around off. Sharma tries to drive it but gets an outside edge past Mathews at slip. He hares after it and saves a run for his side. |
| 41.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Ooh.. that stayed really low! Worrying signs for Sri Lanka. Batting last on this track won't be easy at all. Shortish ball outside off, doesn't rise at all. Kohli adjusts well and punches it to covers. |
| 41.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. Two runs added to the total. |
| 41.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Hangs back and punches this one to long on for a single. |
| Kohli takes his helmet off and is putting his cap on. |
| 42.1 : D Perera to Kohli, Kohli uses his feet to this one and blocks it. |
| 42.2 : D Perera to Kohli, Dhananjaya is flying around in the field today. Coming in with the arm, Kohli clips it towards short mid-wicket where the fielder dives full length to his right to stop it. |
| 42.3 : D Perera to Kohli, Played with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 42.4 : D Perera to Kohli, Quick and flat on off, punched off the back foot to silly mid off. |
| 42.5 : D Perera to Kohli, Sliding in with the arm, Kohli tries to play it across but wears in on his pads. |
| 42.6 : D Perera to Kohli, On a flatter trajectory on leg stump, Kohli turns it around the corner for a single. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 4! |
| Session highlights - 26 overs, 141 runs and 2 wickets. India have swelled the lead to 355 runs and are in total command of the proceedings. They have taken the attack to the opposition, putting them under more pressure. Pujara changed his tempo according to the situation of the game and scored a breezy 49. |
| Dhawan who was playing a bit slowly flourished afterwards. He hit a flurry of boundaries and made a fluent fifty before perishing to Sandakan. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have continued to play free-flowing cricket, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Seems that the score is already good enough against a team which is low on morale. The track is taking substantial turn as well and some deliveries are keeping low. When will the declaration come? Let's find out in a while. |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session. VIRAT KOHLI and ROHIT SHARMA to continue batting. LAKSHAN SANDAKAN will continue his spell. Here we go... |
| 43.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, A bit short around off, stays low. Punched off the back foot to extra cover. |
| 43.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Drifting towards the leg stump, swept to fine leg to rotate strike. |
| 43.3 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Turns this one with the spin to backward square leg for a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between Sharma and Kohli. It has come at a run-a-ball. |
| 43.4 : L Sandakan to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 43.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Shorter in length, Sharma hangs back and punches it to mid-wicket. |
| 43.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Slow through the air outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL to bowl from the other end. |
| 44.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Good length delivery, tailing in. Kohli flicks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 44.2 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Similar length ball on off, Sharma hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a single. |
| 44.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Fractionally overpitched on middle, flicked with ease to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 44.4 : S Lakmal to Sharma, In the corridor of uncertainty, Rohit flays it to sweeper cover to rotate strike. |
| 44.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Top class! On a length in line of the stumps, Kohli backs away a bit, comes down the track and lifts it over wide mid off for a one-bounce boundary. |
| 44.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Very full on middle and leg, jammed out around the corner for a run. |
| 45.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Spinning into Kohli who drives it back to the bowler. |
| 45.2 : L Sandakan to V Kohli, Strides forward to the fullish delivery and milks it down to long on for a single. |
| 45.3 : L Sandakan to R Sharma, Quick and short wide outside off, Sharma places it straight to the man at backward point. |
| 45.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma takes a couple of steps down the track and blocks it eventually. |
| 45.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, In the air... but safe! A rare false shot from Rohit Sharma. Loopy delivery on leg stump, Sharma kneels and goes for the big sweep but ends up top edging it. The ball lobs towards Mathews at short fine leg. The ex-skipper runs in but only manages to take it on the bounce. He was standing quite deep. If he was in, it would have been an easy catch for him. |
| 45.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Rohit tucks this one towards short mid-wicket where Dhananjaya dives to his left to make a great stop. |
| 46.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Fuller in length outside off, eased off the front foot to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 46.2 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Oh ho! What a spectacular effort! If he had taken that, it would been an amazing catch. Shows what commitment means to this young man. |
| 46.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, 1 run. |
| 46.4 : S Lakmal to R Sharma, No run. |
| 46.5 : S Lakmal to Sharma, 1 run. |
| 46.6 : S Lakmal to Kohli, No run. |
| Vijay Shankar comes out with drinks. The talk will be about when to declare. |
| 47.1 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma taps it towards point and crosses over for a run. |
| 47.2 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Punched through covers for a brace. |
| 47.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli milks this down to long on for a run. |
| 47.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Sharma plays it round the corner for a single. |
| 47.5 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Kohli flicks it through square leg for one. |
| 47.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, A slight confusion but all's well. Rohit pushes it towards covers and comes halfway down the track for a run. Kohli spots the bowler quickly get to the ball and sends him back. The former slips as he does so. However, the man from covers does the mopping work and fires the throw to the keeper. Meanwhile, Sharma gathers himself well and makes it in time. |
| Vijay Shankar again comes in with a drink. He has a discussion with Kohli and Sharma. The skipper has a look towards the dressing room. The way these two are playing, the declaration will be around the corner. |
| 48.1 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Kohli uses his feet to this one and flat-bats it to long off for a single. |
| 48.2 : S Lakmal to Sharma, Wide! Hurls this one wide outside off, Sharma has nothing to do with it. |
| S Lakmal to Sharma, Back of a length ball around off, Sharma punches it towards extra cover. Lakmal himself runs after it but fails to pick it properly. A run taken. |
| 48.3 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Shortish delivery, pulled straight to mid-wicket. |
| 48.4 : S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Hit hard! Back of a length well outside off, Kohli slaps it through point for a rocketing boundary. |
| 48.5 : S Lakmal to Kohli, Kohli drills this one to long on for a single. He looks for the second run but the fielder is quick to attack the ball. Kohli now becomes the captain to score the most runs in a Test match. |
| 48.6 : S Lakmal to Sharma, FOUR! This is special! Dug in short, Sharma pulls it off his front foot and nails the pull behind square on the leg side for a boundary. 12 from the over. |
| 49.1 : L Sandakan to Kohli, On middle, flicked behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 49.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire |
| 49.3 : L Sandakan to Kohli, Well played! Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a single. |
| 49.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Drifting down the leg stump, Rohit goes for the sweep but misses. |
| 49.5 : L Sandakan to Sharma, On a length well outside off, cut away through covers for a single. |
| 49.6 : L Sandakan to Kohli, 15th Test fifty for Virat Kohli in Test cricket! Fullish delivery, Kohli whips it to deep mid-wicket for a run. No emotions from him and he carries on. |
| LAHIRU GAMAGE to have a bowl now. |
| 50.1 : L Gamage to Kohli, Leg bye! Kohli uses his feet and Gamage spots that. Bowls it on middle and leg. The Indian skipper tries to flick it but misses. Sneaks in a leg bye. |
| 50.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, Slower delivery, Rohit reads it well and tucks it behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 50.3 : Gamage to Kohli, Pin point yorker on off, Virat is alert to it and jams it out nicely. |
| 50.4 : L Gamage to Kohli, OUT! Kohli holes out! The way he was playing, it was evident that he was just trying to score off every ball. Length delivery outside off, Kohli attempts to slog it down the ground but drags it off the inner half of the bat towards wide long on. Suranga Lakmal runs to his right and takes a safe catch. A good knock from the Indian skipper ends. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA walks out to bat. He will be flashing his blade in order to score quick runs. |
| 50.5 : L Gamage to Sharma, Driven through the mid off region. One run added to the total. |
| 50.6 : L Gamage to Jadeja, Places this one with the angle behind point for a single. |
| 51.1 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Prods forward to this one and turns it through mid-wicket for a single. India lead by 400 now. Still, the declaration hasn't come. |
| 0.0 : It has gone a bit dark. Bad light might come into play early today. Moreover, after India declare, the spin twins will probably do the majority of the bowling. |
| 51.2 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Taps this one through covers for a single. |
| 51.3 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Jadeja eases this to sweeper cover and crosses over for an easy run. |
| 51.4 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Shorter in length, punched off the back foot to long off for a single. |
| 51.5 : L Sandakan to Jadeja, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 51.6 : L Sandakan to Sharma, Hangs back to this one and knocks it down to long on for a run. |
| A run out appeal against Rohit Sharma has been taken upstairs. Seems to be safe. |
| 52.1 : L Gamage to Sharma, Not Out! Back of a length delivery outside off, Sharma slaps it to sweeper cover. He runs the first one quickly and goes for the second. The throw is collected by the keeper who whips off the bails. It is referred upstairs. The replays show the batsman is safe. |
| 52.2 : L Gamage to Sharma, 9th Test fifty for Rohit Sharma! Full delivery outside off, driven crisply to sweeper cover for a brace. That's it. INDIA DECLARE ON 246/5. |
| A good batting performance from India has brought them into a position from where it is very unlikely that they will lose this game. Apart from Vijay and Rahane, everyone else chipping in with runs. Pujara missed out on his fifty by a mere run but Kohli and Rohit Sharma succeeded in scoring it. |
| The Sri Lankan bowlers tried hard but without much positive results. Each of the bowlers took a wicket each but also conceded runs on a regular basis. With still more than 3 and a half sessions to play out, it will be a stern test for their batsmen. Harsha Bhogle on-air reckons India will have 105-110 overs in hand to bowl the visitors out keeping the bad light in account. The home side are favourites to win this game but stranger things have happened in cricket. Can the tourists bat out of thei |
| The Indian players are already seen warming up. |
| 0.1 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, That's a peach! Karunaratne is lucky to avoid the king pair. Fuller in length outside off, swinging away prodigiously. Karunaratne has his feet nowhere and fishes at it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 0.2 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, A bit wider outside off, left alone. |
| 0.3 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, Sharma comes from around the wicket and bowls an overpitched delivery outside off, moving away. Dimuth doesn't flirt with it. |
| 0.4 : I Sharma to D Karunaratne, Falls just short of Dhawan at third slip! On a length around off, straightens after pitching and squares Karunaratne up. He pokes at it and gets an outside edge that falls in front of Dhawan. |
| 0.5 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, In the zone outside off, Dimuth lets it go. |
| 0.6 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, Finally, Karunaratne avoids a pair! On the pads, clipped to square leg for a single. A brilliant over from Ishant comes to an end. |
| Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 1.1 : M Shami to Karunaratne, On a length and angling away from the southpaw, Dimuth shuffles a bit and defends it. |
| 1.2 : M Shami to D Karunaratne, Good length delivery in line of the stumps, the southpaw taps it to mid on. |
| 1.3 : M Shami to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Lucky Karunaratne! The round the wicket angle catches him off guard once again. Fuller length ball outside off, Karunaratne looks to defend it with soft hands but gets a thick outside edge. Saha drives to his left but the ball evades him. It falls short of Pujara at first slip and races away to the fence behind. |
| 1.4 : M Shami to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery, tapped to covers for a quick single. |
| 1.5 : M Shami to Samarawickrama, Full delivery on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 1.6 : M Shami to Samarawickrama, Full length delivery, Samarawickrama drives it crisply towards mid off where Ashwin dives to his right and makes a good stop. A run taken. |
| 2.1 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Good length delivery around off, Samarawickrama feels for it and gets it off the outer half of bat towards the slip cordon. |
| 2.2 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Short of a length outside off, left alone. |
| 2.3 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, On a length on middle, seaming away after hitting the deck. Samarawickrama hangs back and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 2.4 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, An appeal for an LBW is turned down! Good length delivery, angling in sharply. Samarawickrama looks to clip it across but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The Indians make a shout for it but the umpire stays put. Hawk Eye shows that it was going over the stumps. |
| 2.5 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 2.6 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Good fielding! Good length delivery, Sadeera punches it towards mid off. |
| 3.1 : M Shami to Karunaratne, No run. |
| 3.2 : M Shami to Karunaratne, Fuller in length outside off, Dimuth is drawn into the drive but gets beaten by the inward movement. The ball also stayed low. |
| 3.3 : M Shami to Karunaratne, Camps back to the back of the length delivery and tucks it wide of mid on. |
| 3.4 : M Shami to Karunaratne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 3.5 : M Shami to Karunaratne, Dug in short, Dimuth ducks under it. |
| 3.6 : M Shami to Karunaratne, In the channel outside off, Karunaratne makes a good leave. |
| The crowd is getting into the act. Kohli is egging them on to keep cheering. The Kotla is buzzing with excitement. |
| 4.1 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Short of a length in line of the stumps, blocked watchfully. |
| 4.2 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, A bit wide outside off, Sadeera is in no mood to flirt with that. |
| 4.3 : I Sharma to Samarawickrama, Shortish delivery, Samarawickrama is hurried on by it and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 4.4 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, Short of a length on middle, Dimuth hops and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 4.5 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, Fullish delivery outside off, Karunaratne plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 4.6 : I Sharma to Karunaratne, Nicely bowled! Good length delivery, angling in initially. Karunaratne tries to block it but the ball straightens to go past the outside edge of his bat. |
| 5.1 : M Shami to Samarawickrama, Fuller around off and middle, Samarawickrama flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : M Shami to Samarawickrama, Oh dear! Ashwin at it again. Another misfield to add to one he did at the start of the innings. Samarawickrama flicks it towards him at mid-wicket. Ashwin bends lazily and lets the ball through. A run results even as mid on gets to his right to stop it. Kohli isn't amused with the effort from his spinner. |
| 5.3 : M Shami to Karunaratne, Risky single! Karunaratne taps it towards covers and sets off for a run. Ashwin gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end. But Dimuth was running to make it in there and the ball struck his leg. Jadeja did a wonderful job backing up as he stopped it well even after the deflection. |
| 5.4 : M Shami to Samarawickrama, What a delivery that is! Shami bangs it short on the stumps, Sadeera looks to evade it by staying away from the line without ducking. But the ball moved in prodigiously after pitching and hence the batter had to quickly take further evasive action. He sways further back and loses his balance as he does so. Luckily though, doesn't fall on the stumps as Saha collects it behind the wickets. |
| Review time! Samarawickrama is caught at gully. But he reckons he hasn't got any part of the bat. Opts for the DRS. |
| 5.5 : Shami to S Samarawickrama, OUT! A snorter to get rid of Samarawickrama! Shami is up and running. Bangs in a bouncer around off, Samarawickrama looks to fend it away but the ball goes off something towards Rahane at gully. The Indians celebrate and the umpire doesn't stop them. Sadeera signals a 'T' for review. He feels that he hasn't hit it. The first replay shows that it went off his right biceps. But the ball passed close to his gloves. Snicko signs the batter's fate by showing a spike a |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA finds himself out in the middle at the early fall of the wicket. Can he manage to see out the day? Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is seen throwing up on the field. Has a drink and is ready to bowl. |
| 5.6 : M Shami to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN is brought in for a bowl. He is a tough customer to handle especially on fourth and fifth day subcontinental tracks. |
| 6.1 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Floated ball around off, blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 6.2 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.3 : R Ashwin to D Karunaratne, This ball is driven towards mid off. |
| 6.4 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, On the pads, flicked round the corner. |
| 6.5 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, DK defends it from within the crease. |
| 6.6 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Another front foot defense on display to a loopy ball on the stumps. Maiden for Ashwin to start off. |
| Shami was getting ready to bowl. But now it is RAVINDRA JADEJA who is getting ready to bowl. It is seen that the umpire intervened as the light is not good enough for the fast bowlers to bowl. So this is more of a forced change. |
| 7.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Begins with a flatter delivery outside off, de Silva just lets it be. |
| 7.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 7.3 : R Jadeja to de Silva, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| 7.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva blocks it off the front foot. |
| 7.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flicked through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 7.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Well fielded. Dhananjaya drives it towards mid on, the fielder dives to prevent any run. |
| 8.1 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Karunaratne prods forward and blocks it solidly. |
| 8.2 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 8.3 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, DK stays in the crease and keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 8.4 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Dimuth strides forward in defense. |
| 8.5 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Floated around off, driven back towards the bowler. |
| 8.6 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, This is played to point. Another maiden from Ashwin. |
| 9.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Coming in with the arm, Silva tries to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 9.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Leans forward to this one and keeps it out. |
| A lot of events are happening. Dhananjaya de Silva straightaway opts for the review against an LBW decision. He reckons that he has got an inside edge. Let's find out.. |
| 9.3 : R Jadeja to de Silva, Not Out! Indeed, Dhananjaya is right! Judicious use of the review and Sri Lanka will retain it. Coming in with the arm, de Silva prods forward to defend but seems to have missed it as the ball pings him on the pads. The Indians appeal confidently and up goes the umpire's finger. However, de Silva opts for the review immediately. He looks certain that there is bat involved. The Snicko detects a big spike. Hence, the on-field call is overturned. De Silva survives but the |
| 9.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Quick and flat, Dhananjaya uses his feet and jams it out to mid off. |
| 9.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Going down leg, de Silva misses the flick. |
| 9.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva uses his feet and so, Jadeja fires it on middle. The batsman blocks it out. End of a terrific over. |
| 10.1 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Tossed up around off and middle, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 10.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva goes on the back foot and punches it towards covers and sets off for a quick run. Jadeja is quick to the ball and fires a throw to the keeper but fails to prevent that run. |
| 10.3 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, DK strides forward and blocks. |
| 10.4 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 10.5 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Finds the mid on fielder with the drive. |
| 10.6 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Served outside off, cut towards point. |
| 11.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Landed outside off, defended towards point. |
| 11.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 11.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva drives it inside out but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 11.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Straighter delivery outside off, de Silva lets it be unharmed. |
| 11.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, This one is turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 11.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, The tall man is down! De Silva clips it through mid-wicket. Ishant at square leg, runs to his left and tries to prevent the second. He loses his balance in the process and tumbles. Concedes the double eventually. Has a laugh after he recovers. |
| After that effort, Ishant Sharma is seen walking off. |
| 12.1 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.2 : R Ashwin to D Karunaratne, A touch quicker around off, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets an outside edge past slip. Gets a brace there. He played it with soft hands actually. |
| 12.3 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, DK keeps it out from within the crease. |
| 12.4 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, Loopy delivery around middle, Karunaratne presents a straight bat in defense. But the ball bounces a bit more and pings him on the gloves. |
| 12.5 : R Ashwin to Karunaratne, In line of the stumps, Karunaratne looks to block it. Gets an inside edge through the vacant short leg region for a run. |
| 12.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva takes a run by playing it through covers. |
| 13.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva stays in the crease and opens the face of the bat to play it towards backward point. |
| 13.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 13.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Turned through mid-wicket for one. |
| 13.4 : R Jadeja to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.5 : R Jadeja to Karunaratne, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 13.6 : R Jadeja to Karunaratne, Another forward defense on display. |
| 14.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 14.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, This one is flicked off his pads. |
| 14.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, SIX! Dhananjaya goes big and gets the desired result. Ashwin tosses it up around middle and leg, de Silva gets down on one knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket. There's nobody in the deep but it wouldn't have mattered as the ball went the distance. First maximum of this innings. |
| 14.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Clipped towards mid-wicket. |
| 14.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Solidly defended from within the crease. |
| 14.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva keeps it out from the crease. |
| The light meters are out. With poor visibility around, the play is just minutes away from ending for the day. |
| 15.1 : R Jadeja to Karunaratne, OUT! Another one departs! Don't know if it is because of poor visibility or not but whatever it is, Karunaratne has to walk back. Jadeja serves it outside off, Karunaratne lunges forward to defend for the non-existential turn. Ends up getting a faint nick to Saha. The umpire gives him the marching order even as India celebrate. Strangely, Dimuth asks his partner whether he should review that and rightly decides against it. There is a thin spike seen on Ultra Edge |
| 0.0 : The nightwatchman, SURANGA LAKMAL, is seen walking out at the fall of the second wicket. |
| 15.2 : R Jadeja to Lakmal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 15.3 : R Jadeja to Lakmal, Blocked off the front foot. |
| 15.4 : R Jadeja to Lakmal, OUT! Castled! Yes, you don't associate this term with a spinner but that's Jadeja for you. He fires this at 93kmph around off. Lakmal looks to keep it out but is late in getting his bat down. Ends up getting a bottom edge and the ball goes on to peg the off stump back. Jadeja is seen appealing for something and the on-air commentators say 'you don't appeal for a clean bowled, Mr. Jadeja'. He carries on with his celebration after the close-in fielders made him realize th |
| ANGELO MATHEWS walks in next. Can he turn out to be the savior for them again? |
| 15.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews blocks it solidly off the front foot. |
| 15.6 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Mathews negotiates the last ball of the over by defending it off the front foot. A terrific over this. A double-wicket maiden from Jadeja. If this over hadn't been bowled, owing to bad light, Sri Lanka would have been a bit happier. Marginal calls these as the umpires had checked for the light even at the end of previous over. |
| The light meter comes out yet again.... and this time, it signals the end of day's play as it is really very dark out there. That's STUMPS, DAY 4! Hush, all the drama that we've had towards the end has to pause for some time now. |
| Right then! India's day yet again. They did not waste much time today, bowling out Sri Lanka quickly, gaining a lead of 163 runs. Then, their batsmen came out with a positive intent with an aim to score quick runs. Vijay and Rahane fell cheaply but skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma got their respective fifties at a quick rate. They took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers with a quick 90-run stand (92 balls). Do not forget Pujara either. His 49 from 66 was not less instrumental and was unluc |
| With around 25 overs to play in the day, the Sri Lankan openers came out in the middle hoping to see the day off but failed to do so. They lost Samarawickrama to a well-directed bouncer from Shami, who bowled an incisive first spell. That set the tone for the home side. However, what would hurt the visitors more is the double-wicket over from Jadeja which turned out to be the final one of the day. |
| Murali Kartik interviews Shikhar Dhawan. The southpaw has enjoyed scoring a fifty on his birthday. Says that it feels good to perform for his country. Thanks the general public for cheering him and wishing him. States that they had decided that they had to score quickly. Since he is the local lad and knows the conditions quite well, he took the onus on himself to score quickly after Pujara's dismissal. Mentions that his aim is to keep performing consistently and keep a positive mindset as these |
| What shall we expect tomorrow? Sri Lanka have their most experienced campaigner, Mathews, at the crease along with Dhananjaya de Silva. They will hope that the former churns out another good performance with the bat and saves the match. Skipper Chandimal, who's going through a good run will have a vital role to play. Will the tourists be able to offer some resistance and try and salvage a draw? Or are we in for another free fall from the Sri Lankan batsmen? Do join us tomorrow at 0930 local time |
| ... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to the coverage of the last day of the final Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Delhi. Good news is that bright skies welcome us at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Let's hope the weather stays this way throughout the course of the day. The hosts are in thorough control of the proceedings and are basking in the glory of the sun. The spin twins, Ashwin and Jadeja, were operating in tandem towards the end of yesterday and it seemed that a wicket is always around the corner. On |
| On the other hand, the visitors need only one thing - a resolute and firm approach. With still 379 runs away from the target, winning the game is almost out of the equation for them. The question is, can they save the match? It will largely depend upon the experience of Mathews and Chandimal. The duo stitched a 181-run in their previous innings and showed hunger to achieve the best. |
| If Sri Lanka put up a stern resistance which has been missing for a long time, it will be a joy for ardent cricketing fans all around the globe! The odds are stacked against them but when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Will the Lankan Lions salvage a draw? Or will the No. 1 ranked Test side in the world run away with the show? Stay with us as the action unfolds... |
| Rohit Sharma says he is very happy with his current form. Adds that he wanted this before going to South Africa and he feels good to have spent time in the middle as he was playing Test cricket after a long time. Reckons that he was unfortunate to miss out on some game time as he picked up an injury in the series against New Zealand but now he's good to go. About his mental preparation, he hasn't changed it much as he is aware of getting his chances in between due to the five-bowler theory that |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says that it's a bit sunny as compared to the other days and adds that the pitch is looking good. On further inspecting the track he sees that there are footmarks but it's not an area of concern. He comments that if Ashwin bowls in those areas he can get the ball to talk. Arnold then gets the help of Sunny Gavaskar who is standing at the other end of the pitch. The later says that even the other end of the pitch is good. The cracks have not yet opened up. He continue |
| We are set to get rolling. ANGELO MATHEWS and DHANANJAYA DE SILVA to resume their innings. The first hour of this morning will be very crucial from the visitors point of view. If they manage to see it off without losing a wicket, their confidence will rise. ISHANT SHARMA to steam in with the ball first up. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 16.1 : I Sharma to Silva, Starts off with a good length delivery well outside off, holding its line. Dhananjaya points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 16.2 : I Sharma to Silva, A bit fuller in length, but not close enough to make the batsman play. Easy leave for de Silva. Need to make the batsman play, especially in the initial phases of play when a batsman's feet are not moving much and he is looking to have a few sighters. |
| 16.3 : I Sharma to Silva, Full length delivery around off, swinging in. De Silva looks to clip it across but the bat turns in his hand and as a result, he gets it off the inner half through in front of square leg. The fielder chases it and saves a run for his side. |
| A catching mid-wicket in place now. An uppish stroke past that region prompted this field change. |
| 16.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Back of a length delivery around off, Mathews stays composed in his crease and blocks it stoutly towards covers. |
| 16.5 : I Sharma to A Mathews, Well bowled! Good length delivery around off, a bit of away movement. Mathews is opened up in his stance and gets it off the outer half to point. |
| 16.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, In the channel outside off, left alone. Good start from Sharma. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA to operate from the other end. He has been sensational till now. He has figures of 5-2-5-2. He will definitely pose a threat. |
| 17.1 : R Jadeja to de Silva, Tossed up delivery on off, Dhananjaya eases it to mid off. |
| 17.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Similar delivery, another crisp push off the front foot to the same region. |
| 17.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Jadeja continues to bowl full, eased to mid off again. |
| 17.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, This one slides in a touch more, de Silva prods forward and plays it with soft hands towards mid on. |
| 17.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Quick and flat, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 17.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Vicious! Bowled at a quick pace outside off, takes off sharply after pitching. De Silva covers his stumps and lets it through. Saha rises with the bounce and takes it brilliantly. He is one of the best wicket-keepers going around in Test cricket at the moment, a delight to watch! |
| 18.1 : I Sharma to A Mathews, Length ball, gets a little swing. It takes the outer edge of Mathews bat and goes on the bounce to third slip. |
| 18.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 18.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, In line of the stumps, Mathews defends it on his back foot. |
| 18.4 : I Sharma to Mathews, Mathews once again hangs back and defends it. |
| 18.5 : I Sharma to Mathews, Shouldered arms by Mathews. |
| Russel Arnold makes a fair point on air. There are quite some cracks on the back of the length area. As a result, the seamers are getting a lot of assistance from the deck. Credit to Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami for being on the money. The Sri Lankan pace bowlers had failed to exploit that and hence, didn't create any sort of trouble for the batsmen. |
| 18.6 : I Sharma to Mathews, Gets the ball to bounce after pitching. Mathews leaves it alone and Saha collects it with reverse-cupped hands. |
| 19.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Coming in with the arm, de Silva hangs back and stonewalls it. |
| 19.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Fullish this time, eased off the front foot to mid on. |
| 19.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flighted delivery around off, Dhananjaya prods forward in defense. |
| 19.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Jadeja shortens his length this time. De Silva stays back and blocks it watchfully. |
| 19.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Full delivery on middle and leg, de Silva's feet are moving well and he pushes it defensively to mid on. |
| 19.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Lack of intent! There was a run on offer but de Silva doesn't go for it. Loopy delivery outside off, de Silva guides it towards backward point and is ball watching. The point fielder had some distance to cover to his left but the lack of intent from the batsmen didn't allow the single. You need to play with positive mindset especially when you are staring down the barrel. Three consecutive maidens for India. The pressure is building. These fine things can lead to a wicke |
| 20.1 : I Sharma to Mathews, Bouncer to start with. Ishant digs it in short and well left by Mathews. |
| 20.2 : I Sharma to Mathews, Jaffa! Good length ball outside off, Mathews looks to flirt with it and the ball misses the edge of his bat. |
| 20.3 : I Sharma to Mathews, Back of a length on middle and leg, Mathews clips it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 20.4 : I Sharma to Silva, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 20.5 : I Sharma to Silva, Outside off, left alone by Mathews. |
| 20.6 : I Sharma to Silva, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 21.1 : R Jadeja to Mathews, On a flatter trajectory on middle and leg, Mathews prods forward to defend but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg. This is the danger that Jadeja possesses. He is so accurate and at you all the time that if you put one foot wrong, he will fox you. |
| 21.2 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Spinning away from Mathews who comes forward and taps it towards point. |
| 21.3 : R Jadeja to Mathews, Flat and quick, defended off the front foot. |
| 21.4 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, Slow through the air around off, Angelo comes forward and pushes it defensively to mid off. |
| 21.5 : R Jadeja to Mathews, A bit of drift on this one outside off, Angelo blocks it nicely. |
| 21.6 : R Jadeja to A Mathews, OUT! The birthday boy is on fire! Excellent catch from Rahane at first slip as well. Jadeja bowls this one around off, gets a bit of drift again. Mathews prods forward to account for the angle but the ball grips and turns away substantially. The ex-skipper ends up getting an outside edge. Rahane at first slip is cool as a cucumber. Moves to his right and takes it like a pro. The slip catching from the Indians was dismal in their previous innings. Shows the importanc |
| The skipper, Dinesh Chandimal strides out to bat. His team in deep trouble at the moment. A herculean effort from him is the need of the hour. Can he play a marathon knock? He will need support from his partners as well. |
| 22.1 : I Sharma to de Silva, Length ball outside off, driven to mid off for nothing. |
| 22.2 : I Sharma to Silva, FOUR! First boundary of the day. Ishant Sharma balls it short trying to exploit those patches but Dhananjaya responds well. He is quick to get on his back foot and pulls it away to deep square leg to the fence. |
| 22.3 : I Sharma to Silva, FOUR! Short again and pulled away again. Ishant bowling short but Dhananjaya is up to the challenge. Similar ball, Dhananjaya gets to position and pulls it in front of square this time. The result is the same. |
| Oh no! The delivery which consumed Mathews was a no ball for overstepping. Joel Wilson didn't spot it. Blunder from the umpire. How much will this cost the Sri Lankans? The umpires usually check for the front foot when a wicket falls. |
| 22.4 : I Sharma to Silva, Back of a length nipping back, the ball hits the thigh pad of de Silva. |
| 22.5 : I Sharma to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 22.6 : I Sharma to Silva, Length ball getting into the de Silva. He gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 23.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Tossed up outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 23.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Floated well outside off, Chandimal lunges forward in defense. |
| 23.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Close shave! Coming in with arm, pitches and skids off the surface. Chandimal comes forward tentatively and ends up getting it off the inner half past short leg. |
| 23.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Slower through the air, smothered nicely by coming forward. |
| 23.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Loopy delivery outside off, Chandimal puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 23.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Quicker through the air around off, Dinesh stays back and defends it solidly. Fourth maiden in a row for Jadeja. He is building up a lot of pressure on the batsmen. |
| 24.1 : I Sharma to Silva, Length ball from Ishant. Well left by de Silva. |
| 24.2 : I Sharma to de Silva, Fuller length, driven to mid off. |
| 24.3 : I Sharma to Silva, On the leg side this from Ishant. De Silva flicks to the fine leg for a run. |
| 24.4 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Length ball in line of the stumps. Defended from Chandimal. |
| 24.5 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Outside off, Chandimal doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 24.6 : I Sharma to Chandimal, Chandimal defends this by getting behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Slow through the air on off, de Silva comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 0.0 : Sunil Gavaskar on air reckons that Kohli might be thinking about bringing Shami from the fort end, the end from which Jadeja is bowling now. The pace bowler was at his mercurial best in his three over spell last evening and he bowled from the same end. Sooner or later, he will be introduced into the attack. |
| 25.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Beautifully played! First runs scored of Jadeja this morning. Tossed up delivery in line of the stumps, de Silva skips down the track and strokes it past the non-striker for a delightful boundary. |
| 25.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Floated on middle, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 25.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Jadeja shortens his length as Dhananjaya uses his feet to counter it. Is not quite to the pitch of the ball and ends up taking it on the pads. |
| 25.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva plays this with the angle through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 25.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| MOHAMMED SHAMI replaces Ishant Sharma to get his first spell of the day. |
| 26.1 : M Shami to Silva, Back of a length, de Silva plays it to point. |
| 26.2 : M Shami to Silva, Fullish in length, de Silva works it to mid-wicket. |
| 26.3 : M Shami to Silva, Well directed bouncer from Shami. De Silva looks to hook this one but gets beaten by pace by pace and bounce. Saha does the rest. |
| 26.4 : M Shami to Silva, Bouncer again! This time de Silva ducks and let's it go through to the keeper. |
| 26.5 : M Shami to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| The carelessness of youth is clearly visible. Shami is testing Dhananjaya de Silva with bouncers and is falling for the bait. He needs to keep his cool otherwise he will lose his wicket. Patience is what matters at this moment and de Silva needs to apply himself. |
| 26.6 : M Shami to Silva, De Silva shows the full face of the bat and defends this ball. |
| 27.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, De Silva needs to be careful! Floated on leg stump, Chandimal turns it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a run and his partner responds. Pujara picks up the ball and throws it back to Saha. As the youngster put his bat in the crease, he jumped to evade the throw. He can easily get run out this way. |
| 27.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! The first real bad delivery from Jadeja and it has been punished! Half-tracker around off, de Silva gets quickly into position and pulls it with aplomb past mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| Change of bat for Dhananjaya de Silva. In fact, it is not a change of bat. There is a bit of an issue with the bottom half of the bat. The substitute gets rid off it and the batsman is good to go. |
| 27.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 27.4 : R Jadeja to de Silva, Tossed up outside off, eased towards deepish mid off. |
| 27.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Sliding in with the angle, tucked besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 27.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Waits for this one and plays it with an angled bat towards point. |
| 28.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone by Chandimal. |
| 28.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Fuller length from Shami, Chandimal flicks it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 28.3 : M Shami to de Silva, FOUR! Not the most convincing of ways but Sri Lanka will take it. Shami bowls this outside the off stump and de Silva pokes at it. It ball takes an edge of the bat and it goes to Rahane at third slip. He gets an hand to it but its enough to go all the way to the fence. De Silva is playing his shots but was not in control of this one. |
| 28.4 : M Shami to Silva, Fuller length ball, de Silva hits it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 28.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bouncer! Chandimal ducks in time to evade it. |
| 28.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, A little back of good length, Chandimal cuts it to cover-point. |
| 29.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Good use of the feet! Tossed up delivery around off, de Silva comes down the track and clips it against the spin through in front of square leg. Pujara from mid-wicket sprints but the ball eventually wins the race. |
| 29.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Tossed up on off, de Silva comes forward and defends it solidly. |
| 29.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Similar delivery, Dhananjaya opts to go back this time and blocks it. |
| 29.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Floated outside off, kept out watchfully. |
| 29.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 29.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| Time for Drinks. India will be happy with an early breakthrough of Angelo Mathews. They will look to get some more as soon as possible. De Silva is not afraid to play his shorts and Chandimal will make his presence felt. Meanwhile, RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN gets the ball to bowl his spin. |
| 30.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Landed around off, Chandimal gets back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 30.2 : R Ashwin to de Silva, This is the straighter one around off and middle. Dhananjaya plays for the turn but ends up edging it. The ball rolls to the off side. |
| 30.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Much better. A tad shorter outside off, de Silva goes back and cuts it towards backward point. Then fielder at point gets to his left and makes a half-stop. As the ball rolls towards third man, a brace is completed. |
| 30.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Served around middle, blocked from the crease |
| 30.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva lunges forward and blocks it solidly. |
| 30.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated around off, Dhananjaya defends it towards point. |
| MOHAMMED SHAMI gets a change of ends. He is back to the Fort end now. Let's see how he goes about with his stuff now. |
| 31.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal gets his first boundary of the day. Back of length ball outside off, Chandimal slaps to backward point and it goes all the way to the fence. |
| 31.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 31.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Back of a length, Chandimal on his back foot defends it. |
| 31.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Serves it at a fullish length, Chandimal plays the ball into the ground. |
| 31.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Shami is changing his lengths here. Back of a length this time, Chandimal defends it on his back foot. |
| 31.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, 1 run. |
| 32.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Careful Chandimal, careful! Mr. Gavaskar today while doing the pitch report, suggested puuting away the cut shot and this shows why. Ashwin lands it outside off, looks to be on the shorter side. Dinesh goes back to cut but gets an under edge that bounces next to the stumps and lands in the keeper's gloves. |
| 32.2 : R Ashwin to D Chandimal, Much better. Play with the turn and take a single, that's the right way to go about the things. That's what is done in this case. |
| 32.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 32.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Dhananjaya de Silva has looked good this morning. He has been clever with his shot selection, too. Goes with the turn this time. Gets down on one knee and slogs it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Moves to 49 with that. |
| 32.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Vijay Shankar, the substitute fielder, is on the park. |
| 32.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated around off, blocked watchfully off the front foot. |
| 33.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Beauty! Shami's love story with the Fort end in this innings continues. He lands it on a length just outside off, the ball moves away after pitching. Chandimal feels for it but gets beaten. |
| 33.2 : M Shami to Chandimal, A touch fuller around off, Dinesh drives it towards mid off. |
| 33.3 : M Shami to Chandimal, Served outside off, Chandimal lets that go. It goes on the bounce to Saha who collects it cleanly. |
| 33.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Here comes another bouncer! On the line of stumps this time, Chandimal ducks and lets the keeper do the rest. |
| 33.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, Length ball around off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 33.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, Similar delivery, DC keeps it out watchfully. |
| 34.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Loopy ball around off, pushed defensively towards mid off. |
| 34.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! The Lankans maybe playing for a draw, but Dhananjaya has his own ideas. He's a promising youngster and this innings proves that. The confident shot that he has played to get to his 3rd TEST FIFTY is a joy to watch. Seeing the flight on that delivery, he uses his feet to get to the ball. Gets out the lovely extension of arms and goes over mid on. The ball bouncer just in front of the ropes and then goes for a boundary. |
| 34.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, The response to that shot is a flatter delivery from Ashwin. De Silva goes back and flicks it through backward square leg for one. |
| 34.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated around off, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Served around off, Dinesh lunges forward and blocks it watchfully. |
| 34.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, This time, the touring skipper gets back and punches it towards covers. |
| 35.1 : M Shami to Silva, Length ball, defended from within the crease. |
| 35.2 : M Shami to Silva, Served around off, de Silva looks to defend it. He gets an edge onto his pads and the ball dies into the ground. |
| 35.3 : M Shami to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.4 : M Shami to Silva, Peach of ball! Moves into the batsman after pitching. De Silva tries to drive the ball but miises the ball. It just misses the inside edge of the bat and goes to Saha. No foot movement from de Silva on that delivery. |
| 35.5 : M Shami to Silva, Pitched a little behind the good length zone. De Silva defends it into the ground. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva was seen hanging on the back foot for the fuller delivery on 35.4. Matthew Hayden, the tough Aussie that he is, loves that. Says it signifies that the batsman is a tad scared of the pacer and that is something that the pacers in general love. |
| 35.6 : M Shami to Silva, Bowls it fuller this time. De Silva happy to plat this with a straight bat. |
| 36.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Slower through the air around off, Chandimal lunges forward from the crease and presents a straight bat in defending that. |
| 36.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Loopy ball around off and middle, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Good foot-work. Using the feet isn't always about charging down the track. Chandimal gets a touch forward and goes back before punching it through covers. Ishant, from mid off, gives it a chase and returns the ball, not before the batters take a couple. |
| 36.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Now the other side of using the feet. Dinesh comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 36.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Another good stand brewing here for Sri Lanka. This one between de Silva and Chandimal is worth 50 now. Chandimal looks to defend it but gets a soft outside edge past slip. The duo get three runs before the ball is returned. |
| 36.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flicked off the pads towards short leg. |
| 37.1 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bowled outside off, Chandimal cuts it to cover-point and picks up a single on the first ball. |
| 37.2 : M Shami to Silva, Fuller length ball, de Silva works it on the leg side to rotate strike. |
| 37.3 : M Shami to D Chandimal, Lazy work from Dhawan. He throws the ball without looking with his head up. The ball is driven to mid off. Dhawan the fielder there picks it up but has a way-ward throw back to the keeper. The batsmen take advantage and go back for the second run. |
| 37.4 : M Shami to Chandimal, Bouncer from Shami! Chandimal does well to evade it. |
| 37.5 : M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Low full-toss. Chandimal plays it to the deep square region and it goes all the way past the ropes. The fielder at deep square leg runs to his right but not enough to save the boundary. |
| 37.6 : M Shami to Chandimal, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 38.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Ashwin comes round the wicket and serves a straighter delivery around off and middle. De Silva reads it well and punches it to mid off. |
| 38.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Oh Puji, well done, Puji! He looks like a car that runs with a handbrake on, Sunil Gavaskar had said on air earlier in the day. This time that car catches up with what it has set to do. De Silva goes back and punches it through covers. Pujara chases it down and saves a run for his side. |
| 38.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal charges down and eases it to long on for a run. |
| 38.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 38.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal lunges forward and keeps it out watchfully. |
| 38.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Straighter one around off, Dinesh plays for the spin and gets an outside edge that rolls next to the pitch on the off side. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA comes back for another spell. |
| 39.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flatter around off, Dhananjaya punches it towards covers. |
| 39.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 39.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva gets forward and blocks this. |
| 39.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Around off, the batsman keeps it out from the crease. |
| 39.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Dhananjaya punches this through covers and gets a couple. |
| 39.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, On the pads, flicked away round the corner. |
| 40.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated around off, defended off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 40.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, This time Chandimal turns it through mid-wicket and crosses over. |
| 40.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Tosses up around middle, spinning down leg, de Silva gets down and sweeps it to fine leg for a run. |
| 40.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, This ball is hit straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 40.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Flighted delivery around off, Chandimal stays on the back foot and blocks it. |
| 40.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by DC. |
| 41.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Jadeja bowls this on the pads from over the wicket, de Silva nudges it to fine leg for one. |
| 41.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Now he changes angle and comes round the wicket. Lands it around off, DC charges down and bunts it down. |
| Jonathan Trott on air reckons that India should attack a bit more. Have more fielders at catching positions as runs aren't a concern at all for India, he says. |
| 41.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 41.4 : R Jadeja to D Chandimal, Around off, driven towards mid off. |
| 41.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Landed around off, Dinesh buries the spin. |
| 41.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Solidly defended off the front foot. |
| 42.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Cheeky but effective! The youngster is here to get some runs against his name and not just prod and block. This delivery was in line of the stumps, Dhananjaya gets down and paddles it away. It was in the air a bit but not near any fielder. The ball rolls away to the fine leg fence. |
| 42.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, On the pads, flicked round the corner for a run. |
| 42.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Seeing the flight, Chandimal comes down the track and wrists it towards wide mid on. Gets a run for doing so. |
| 42.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, This ball is swept through square leg for a run. |
| 42.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal gets forward and blocks. |
| 42.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Another delivery is safely negotiated by defending with a straight bat. |
| 43.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 43.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flatter around off, de Silva presents a straight bat in keeping it out. |
| 43.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Dhananjaya eases it through mid off to rotate strike. Moves to 70 now. |
| Chandimal is a goner.... buttt... the umpires are checking for a front-foot no ball. They had missed it the last time in the Mathews dismissal. |
| 43.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Not a happy birthday for Ravindra Jadeja this time as it is a NO BALL! Dear, oh dear! Over-stepping is a crime especially by a spinner when you don't have a long run up. This time India and Jadeja pay the price for that. First up, it's a beaut of a delivery. Pitches around middle and leg, spins past the outside edge of Chandimal's prodding bat and clips the top of middle stumps. This is enough to send any good batter walking. After the on-field umpire had erred in no |
| R Jadeja to Chandimal, Another wonderful ball. It spins past Chandimal's bat's outer half after pitching around off. |
| 43.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Straighter and flatter outside off, left alone. |
| 43.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 44.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal comes down and blocks it. |
| 44.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Chandimal gets down yet again and hits it down to long on. |
| 44.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 44.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to keep it out. |
| 44.5 : R Ashwin to de Silva, 1 run. |
| 44.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, No run. |
| 45.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 45.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Dhananjaya steps down and bunts it down. |
| 45.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended from within the crease. |
| 45.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Landed around off and middle, Dhananjaya defends it with a straight bat face. |
| 45.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Another delivery that is safely negotiated with a straight bat. |
| 45.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Served outside off, cut towards point. |
| 46.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Loopy delivery around off, lunged forward and defended. |
| 46.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Around off, kept out from the crease. |
| 46.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Ashwin floats it around middle and leg, Chandimal clips it with the turn through square leg for a run. |
| 46.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva uses his feet and hits it down to long on for a run. |
| 46.5 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, A slight confusion, no harm done! Chandimal eases this towards covers and comes down in search of a run. Rohit Sharma quickly gets to his left, dives and stops it cleanly. This makes the batsmen abort their run-taking plans and go back to their ends for safety. They do so. |
| 46.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Floated on the stumps, Chandimal safely negotiates the last ball before LUNCH, DAY 5 by defending it with a straight bat face. |
| Session highlights - 31 overs, 88 runs, 1 wicket. Figures often tell us a story. This one says Sri Lanka largely controlled the period of play. India will be happy with the initial stages of the day. Jadeja got rid of Mathews due to a smart catch by Rahane at first slip. The Sri Lankan wouldn't have been pleased after seeing the replay as it was a no ball because of overstepping, which the umpire failed to spot. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva was not afraid to play his shots and kept attacking the bowlers. He didn't look like he wanted to save the match by just knocking the ball here and there. Chandimal on the other hand was playing a watchful game, picking up singles and hitting the odd ball. But that's not all. He was given a present by Jadeja on the latter's birthday when it should have been the other way round. The Sri Lankan skipper was castled by a peach of a ball from Jadeja but the umpire didn't take any |
| What will skipper Kohli have at the back of his mind? How will he try to get the better of the Sri Lankan pair out there? Jadeja clearly looks like the more dangerous bowler troubling the batters. Will we see a sudden collapse like the Englishmen did earlier in the day or will de Silva make a big daddy hundred and hang on with his skipper till the sun sets? Do join us back at 1209 local time for post lunch. Until then you can too have your quick bite and continue enjoying whatever you're doing. |
| ... Day 5, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the second session. Will we see the pair of Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal keep the Indians at bay? Or will the home side trigger yet another batting collapse? Let's find out. |
| 47.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Fearless cricket from the youngster! Tossed up delivery on off, de Siva is nimble on his feet and drives it hard past Jadeja. The ball rolls down the ground and races to the fence. He has created doubt in the batsman's mind in the first ball after lunch itself. |
| 47.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Floated delivery, de Silva prods forward in defense. |
| 47.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flighted delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 47.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Prods forward confidently and blocks it to the off side. |
| 47.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, That must have stung! Fullish delivery on off, de Silva whacks it straight to Jadeja who stops it with his left hand and holds it immediately. |
| RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN to continue his spell. |
| 48.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Uses his feet and tucks it past the diving mid-wicket fielder for a couple. |
| 48.2 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Waits for this one and turns it with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 48.3 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Turning in from outside off, Chandimal stays back and defends it solidly. |
| 48.4 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 48.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva prods forward and blocks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 48.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 49.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Brilliant fielding! Short delivery around off, Chandimal rocks back and cuts it against the spin through covers. Dhawan hares after it, puts in a slide near the fence and seems to have kept the ball in play. The replays show that the Dhawan is fine. Saves a run for his side. |
| 49.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Coming in with the arm, kept out watchfully. |
| 49.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Uses his feet to this one and defends it solidly. |
| 49.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Just short of Rahane at first slip! Fullish delivery outside off, de Silva prods to defend it but gets a soft edge that lands in front of Rahane. The key was to play with soft hands. |
| 49.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Brilliantly done! Uses his feet to the flighted delivery and whips it with the angle over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 49.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Russel Arnold on air makes us aware about a good thing. In an interview, Ashwin had mentioned that when he went to England to play county cricket, he learned a lot as the tracks there don't offer much assistance as compared to the subcontinental ones. That holds him in good stead for the future. |
| 50.1 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, Shortish in length, Chandimal uses his feet and taps it to covers for a single. |
| 50.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, The 100-run stand is up between the duo! A really vital one and they need to carry on. Around off, nudged behind square on the leg side for a couple. |
| 50.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Stays back to this one and blocks it. |
| 50.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Nicely done! Floated on middle, de Silva kneels and sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 50.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 50.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 51.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, No run. |
| 51.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Pushed to covers nicely. |
| 51.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 51.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Brave leave! Quick outside off and skidding after pitching. Chandimal has his stumps covers and lets it go. |
| 51.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Pushed to covers where Kohli fumbles but doesn't concede a run. |
| 51.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Hit straight to the skipper again but this time he pounces on it. |
| 52.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Tossed up delivery, de Silva prods forward and defends it. |
| 52.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, A bit of room on offer, stabbed through covers for a couple. |
| 52.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 52.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, On middle and leg, kept out nicely. |
| 52.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, On the money! Shortish delivery on middle, turning in. De Siva defends it with his bat and pad close together. |
| 52.6 : Ashwin to Silva, Spinning in sharply, de Silva tries to defend it but is hit on the pads. No real appeal as it was sliding down leg. De Silva is stretching is leg. Seems like there is an issue with his hamstring. |
| 53.1 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Gets forward and blocks it right under his nose. |
| 53.2 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet and whips it through mid-wicket. Pujara runs after it and keeps it down to a brace. |
| 53.3 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Floated outside off, kept out. |
| 53.4 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Uses his feet to this one and smothers it down the track. |
| 53.5 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Fullish delivery, eased to mid off. |
| 53.6 : R Jadeja to Chandimal, Pushed with the spin to covers. |
| Out comes the physio to attend to Dhananjaya de Silva. Looks uncomfortable at the moment. Sri Lanka will want him fit as he is playing a brilliant knock. The magic spray is applied. He is fine to continue. |
| 54.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva comes down the track and decides to block it. |
| 54.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 54.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Hangs deep in the crease and turns it in front of square leg for a couple. |
| 54.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Slow through the air, Dhananjaya prods forward in defense. |
| 54.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Turn and bounce! On off, spinning away sharply. Silva comes forward to defend but is beaten all ends up. A rare fumble from Saha as well which allows the batsmen to run a bye. |
| 54.6 : R Ashwin to Chandimal, OUT! Bowled 'em! Ashwin get his first wicket of this innings and he is absolutely elated! |
| Dhananjaya calls out the physio again. He does his stretching again and has a look of anguish on his face. Meanwhile, the debutant, Roshen Silva comes out to bat. He was dismissed by Ashwin for a duck in the first innings. Can he stick through the tough times? |
| 55.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 55.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Slow through the air, de Silva is solid in his defense. |
| 55.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 55.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 55.5 : R Jadeja to de Silva, No run. |
| 55.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 56.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 56.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Turns this one towards mid-wicket. |
| 56.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Shortish this time, blocked watchfully. |
| 56.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR. |
| 56.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 56.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 57.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 57.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 57.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Spinning away and it goes past Silva's bat. |
| 57.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended nicely by coming forward. |
| 57.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 57.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Stays back to this one and blocks it. |
| The physio is seen running out yet again to tend to de Silva. |
| 58.1 : Ashwin to Silva, Spinning in sharply, Silva tries to defend it but is hit on the pads. A casual query from the fielders is turned down. That was going down leg. |
| 58.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended with the spin to short leg. |
| 58.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Terrific fielding! Punched crisply towards covers where Jadeja moves to his right and slides to save certain runs. He is the quickest Indian across the turf. |
| 58.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Clipped to mid-wicket this time. |
| 58.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Helped around the corner for a run. |
| 58.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Silva comes forward and smothers the turn nicely. |
| 59.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Coming in with the arm, kept out watchfully. |
| 59.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Helped with the angle to the leg side. |
| 59.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Confusion but no harm done! Pressure makes you do funny things. Uses his feet and plays it to mid off. Wants the single but is rightly sent back. |
| 59.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Prods forward to the flatter delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 59.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Around off, blocked watchfully. |
| 60.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Risky! The youngster needs to be careful. You need to put more value on your wicket. Fullish delivery around off, Silva goes for a reverse sweep but gets a bottom edge that rolls past the leg stump. |
| 60.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 60.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Helps this through fine leg for a couple. |
| 60.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Tossed up delivery, blocked watchfully. |
| 60.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Slow through the air, Silva prods forward in defense. |
| 60.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flighted delivery around off, Silva stonewalls it. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is being a paid of lot of attention by the medical staff. He is absolutely vital for Sri Lanka. This can be turning point of his career if he can score a big ton. He gets his arm guard on now as MOHAMMED SHAMI returns for a bowl. A catching silly mid off and mid on in place. |
| 61.1 : M Shami to Silva, Back of a length delivery around off, Silva hangs back and taps it through backward point for a run. |
| 61.2 : M Shami to Silva, Shortish delivery outside off, doesn't rise much. An easy leave for Roshen. |
| 61.3 : M Shami to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 61.4 : M Shami to Silva, No run. |
| 61.5 : M Shami to Silva, No run. |
| 61.6 : M Shami to Silva, FOUR. |
| 62.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR. |
| 62.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Hangs back to the flatter delivery and keeps it out. |
| 62.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Pushed towards wide mid off as Ishant moves to his left to keep it to a single. |
| 62.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Silva strides forward and defends it towards short leg. |
| 62.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 63.1 : M Shami to Silva, No run. |
| 63.2 : M Shami to Silva, Slips this one down the leg side and de Silva misses his flick. |
| 63.3 : M Shami to Silva, Angling into de Silva who works it nicely towards mid-wicket. |
| 63.4 : M Shami to Silva, Loose shot! Fullish delivery outside off, some reverse swing on that. De Silva chases it away from the body and gets beaten. |
| 63.5 : M Shami to Silva, Swinging in prodigiously, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| 63.6 : M Shami to Silva, Shami searches for reverse swing again but ends up bowling a low full toss. Dhananjaya eases it to mid on again. Maiden for Shami. |
| Change of ends for RAVINDRA JADEJA. |
| 64.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Short delivery, played with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 64.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Uses his feet to this one and plays it with soft hands to mid off. |
| 64.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Comes right forward to this one and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| 64.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Hangs deep in the crease and plays it with the spin to backward point. Wants a run but is rightly sent back. |
| 64.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 64.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Quick and flat delivery at 96 kph outside off, Silva comes forward initially but adjusts well as the length is on the shorter side. Goes back and answers it with a straight bat. |
| Time for Drinks. It has been absorbing passage of play so far. India will be pleased to see the back of the Sri Lankan skipper who could have proved to be a thorn in the flesh for them. However, Dhananjaya de Silva is still out there and is only three short of a majestic ton. He is the mainstay for Sri Lanka and he will have to stay till the end if the visitors are to save the game. |
| 65.1 : M Shami to Silva, Shami is bowling it a touch fuller in search of reverse swing. De Silva plays this well as he drives it to mid off. |
| 65.2 : M Shami to Silva, Dhananjaya moves to 99 with this flick. Gets it through backward square leg and the fielder from fine leg runs to his left. Dives and stops the ball from crossing over and keeps it down to two. |
| 65.3 : M Shami to Silva, What a delivery to get on 99! Something that de Silva won't like. Shami bangs a sharp bouncer on the stumps, the batsman has to take evasive action in a hurry. Sways back and lets the ball pass. |
| 65.4 : M Shami to Silva, Classy, clever, confident - the three words that will describe this knock from Dhananjaya de Silva. He gets to his 3rd TEST CENTURY and soaks in all the applause that he gets. He walked in to bat late last evening when Shami was steaming in, in all his glory. Got through that phase and also the spinners then. Now here he is, celebrating a deserving hundred. He punches this length ball through covers. Before Rahane does the mopping, the batsmen get three. Even Rohit Sharma |
| 65.5 : M Shami to Silva, Around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 65.6 : M Shami to Silva, Silva gets forward and defends it off the front foot. |
| 66.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, A touch shorter around off from Ashwin, punched off the back foot through covers by de Silva. Gets a brace. |
| 66.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, What's that? The air of getting to a 100 getting to him? All throughout he has negotiated the spin well and this time doesn't really look good. Tossed up delivery around leg, it spins further into the batsman. De Silva goes back to defend it awkwardly and wears it low on the pads. |
| 66.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Much better! Floated around middle and leg, de Silva gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 66.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 66.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva stays deep in the crease and deftly guides it past slip and collects a brace. |
| 66.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Dances down the track and blocks. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA is back on. |
| 67.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Landed around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 67.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Served around off and middle, defended watchfully. |
| 67.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 67.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. |
| 67.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 67.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 68.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 68.2 : Ashwin to Silva, DROPPED! The one's that come quickly to you are difficult ones but this wasn't as tough. Ashwin loops it up around middle, Dhananjaya charges down and hits it straight back. It flies to the right of the bowler, who is a tad late in reacting and spills the chance. Will this prove costly? |
| 68.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 68.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva stays in the crease and blocks. |
| 68.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Dhananjaya goes back to flick but the ball goes off his pad towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 68.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flicked through mid-wicket for one to retain strike. |
| 69.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Jadeja comes over the wicket and lands it on the pads, flicked round the corner. |
| 69.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Similar delivery flicked past short leg. |
| 69.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva sweeps it towards square leg. |
| 69.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Roshen Silva looks uncomfortable with the over the wicket angle from Jadeja. Looks fidgety and this time he should be relieved to score. Sprayed down leg, Silva gets down and sweeps it fine. The ball goes to the fine leg fence. |
| 69.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Brilliant! Jadeja changes his angle and goes over the wicket. Lands it around off, Silva prods forward in defense. The ball spins past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 69.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Clipped towards mid-wicket. |
| 70.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, De Silva pats it through covers and takes an easy single on offer. |
| 70.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Not good from Ashwin. Bowls it on the pads and all Silva has to do is get some bat to that. He does so and nudges it off his pads and collects a boundary towards fine leg. |
| 70.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Well played. Now Roshen Silva is growing in confidence and taking cue from how his partner is playing. Ashwin lands it on a shorter length outside off, Silva goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary. Ashwin kicks the surface in anger as he knows this isn't one of the better balls that he has delivered. |
| 70.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 70.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 71.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 71.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva blocks it off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 71.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva comes down and hits it towards long on for a run. |
| 71.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 71.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Driven through mid on for a single. |
| 71.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, De Silva is really struggling. He plays it through backward point and as he takes off for the run, feels the pain. Completes the run though. |
| The physio has run more than some of the Sri Lankan batters have done for their runs! Has come on again for de Silva who looks uncomfortable. |
| 72.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, No run. |
| 72.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 72.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, This ball is worked away off his pads for a run to raise the 50-run stand. The debutant has looked good in the company of Dhananjaya. |
| Sunil Gavaskar on air reckons that de Silva might have pulled a muscle. That is much more than cramps, which we thought. |
| 72.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 73.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, No run. |
| 73.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Dhananjaya has been doing this throughout his outing. Uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and hits it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| Jadeja on Day 5 in Test matches has bowled in 16 innings for his 22 wickets. His average is 16.8 in such cases. Today, he has picked up just a scalp, notwithstanding the one that was overturned due to overstepping. Maybe the pitch plays a major part in his success but he has continued to trouble the batsmen even today. Numbers don't lie, do they? |
| 73.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 73.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, A forward defense on display here. |
| 73.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, This ball is cut away towards point. |
| 73.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Guess what! MURALI VIJAY, with one Test scalp to his name, has been called in to bowl. Moeen Ali is his victim. Interestingly, he is bowling with his cap on. |
| 74.1 : M Vijay to Silva, Flatter on the pads, flicked away towards short fine leg. |
| 74.2 : M Vijay to Silva, Now the cap is gone from Vijay's head. This ball is flicked away past short leg for a single. |
| 74.3 : M Vijay to Silva, Silva batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 74.4 : M Vijay to Silva, Another flick off the pads find the fielder there. |
| 74.5 : M Vijay to R Silva, Risky run, considering that Dhananjaya is struggling. Roshen turns it towards mid on and sets off for a run. De Silva is late to take off and has to hurry eventually to beat Rohit's throw from the position. |
| 74.6 : M Vijay to Silva, Kept out watchfully from the crease. |
| Huge cheers across the ground as VIRAT KOHLI has brought himself on for a bowl. Can he be the man with the golden arm? Remember, he is going through a purple patch with the bat. Can he translate it to his bowling? |
| 75.1 : Kohli to Silva, Almost strikes! Kohli lands it full just outside off, Silva manages to get his bat down in time. Ends up jamming it over the keeper's head. |
| 75.2 : V Kohli to Silva, Driven towards mid on. |
| 75.3 : V Kohli to Silva, Flicked away off his pads for a single. |
| 75.4 : V Kohli to Silva, Defended off the front foot solidly. |
| 75.5 : V Kohli to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 75.6 : V Kohli to Silva, On the pads, flicked towards square leg. |
| Oh dear! This is not looking good for Sri Lanka. Dhananjaya de Silva is seen walking out after that injury is seen hampering him as well as his partner. Roshen Silva had to take into account his partner's struggles and that was a problem, opine the on-air commentators. NIROSHAN DICKWELLA is seen walking out to bat next. |
| RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN back into the attack. Probably this has something to do with Dickwella at the crease now. India sense an opening. |
| 76.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated around middle, turned away through square leg for a single. |
| 76.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 76.3 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Floated outside off, ND blocks it off his front foot. |
| 76.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 76.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Dickwella goes back and punches it towards cover-point. |
| 76.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, This one is blocked towards silly point. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA is brought back. |
| 77.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Landed around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 77.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva stays back and keeps it out. |
| 77.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! This is what spending time in the middle can do. Jadeja loops it up around off, Silva charges down and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary. |
| 77.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. |
| 77.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 77.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 78.1 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, FOUR! This is what Dickwella can do. Even though he was dismissed by Ashwin in the first innings, he won't let the bowler have the rhythm against him. Flighted ball around off, Niroshan gets down and sweeps it powerfully in front of square on the leg side and gets a boundary. Gets going with this. |
| 78.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. |
| 78.3 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, This ball is flicked away through mid on for a single. |
| 78.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Nudged down to fine leg for a single. |
| Rahane is helping out Dickwella, who's chain seems to have some issue. |
| 78.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 78.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, This ball is slog swept through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| The artificial lights are starting to take effect. |
| 79.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Oh Ashwin! How does he manage to put up a show of such (bad) fielding effort game after game? Silva charges down and turns it past mid on. Ashwin runs to his right and dives, but lets the ball through him. The ball's next destination is the fence. Neither Jadeja nor Kohli is impressed. |
| 79.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Around off, pushed towards covers. |
| 79.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Blocked off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 79.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva hangs in the crease and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 79.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 79.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, There's that sharp purchase off the deck! Lands it just outside off, Silva comes forward to block. The ball spits off the surface and lands in the keeper's gloves. |
| The second new ball is due and taken straightaway! Wickets are all that India want and they think the new ball will bring them. ISHANT SHARMA will run in with it first up. |
| 80.1 : I Sharma to Dickwella, FOUR! What a wonderful looking shot that! There are times as a fielder wherein you have to take the quick decision in a split second as to whether to dive or chase the ball. This was one such instance. Vijay the man in question. Ishant begins with a fuller length ball outside off, Dickwella gets a stride out and drives it through wide mid off. It came right off the middle of the bat. Vijay rushes to his right and could have saved it with a dive. But he opts for chas |
| 80.2 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Fuller outside off, left alone. |
| 80.3 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Sharma comes round the wicket and lands it outside off. ND lets the ball go through to the keeper. |
| 80.4 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Another ball outside off, Dickwella thinks of playing it first but eventually lets it go. |
| 80.5 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Harmless delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 80.6 : I Sharma to Dickwella, A big appeal, turned down! India thought they have their man but have to wait. Sharma lands it on a length around off. Dickwella misses the ball and wears it on the thigh pad. Indians appeal to no avail. Height the factor definitely. India don't opt for the review, rightly. That's TEA, FINAL DAY! |
| Wonderful closely contested session! This is what we would have loved to watch the entire series - decent performance from Sri Lanka. Once again it is a passage of play where they haven't lost wickets in clusters and as the batsmen are spending time at the crease, the confidence is getting high along with the runs that flow. This innings so far has belonged to Dhananjaya de Silva. |
| The youngster wasn't in the side in the first couple of games and here he is, playing a match-saving knock. The job's not done though but his innings has his side just one session away from salvaging a draw which very few would have given them a chance of. It was a chanceless knock till the time Ashwin spilled a hard caught-and-bowled chance. He walked out eventually after what we believe is a muscle-pull. |
| What did India do? Almost everything possible. Ashwin and Jadeja bowled more overs in a bid to have more balls to get a dismissal. They handed an over each to Vijay and Kohli. They tried changing the pacers' ends and used them in short spells. Finally they have taken the second new ball. This forthcoming passage of play should be interesting. Will the hosts succeed in their mission to win 2-0 with this second new cherry? Join us as the action unravels in just a bit. |
| ... Final Day, Final Session ... |
| The Sri Lankan pair of DICKWELLA and ROSHEN SILVA walk out to the middle. The umpires and the Indian team are also out. MOHAMMED SHAMI is given the new ball that is one over old. A minimum of 25 overs to play. Will the Lankan resistance continue? Will the Indians break that and carry on with the usual story? Let's find out... |
| 81.1 : M Shami to Silva, That's a nasty delivery first up after tea. That will get the debutant thinking. Short delivery on middle, shoots off the pitch. Silva rises on his toes to counter it but gets hit on the glove of the bottom hand. |
| 81.2 : M Shami to Silva, Length delivery around off, Silva comes forward and defends it solidly towards covers. |
| 81.3 : M Shami to Silva, Well bowled! In the zone of apprehension and on a good length, nips away after pitching. Roshen knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| 81.4 : M Shami to Silva, Bouncer but it is not that well-directed. Outside off, Silva drops wrists to allow it through. |
| 81.5 : M Shami to Silva, Full length delivery, attacking the stumps. Roshen puts a confident stride forward and eases it to mid off. |
| 81.6 : M Shami to Silva, Full length delivery around off, shaping away substantially. Roshen points his bat skywards and leaves it safely. Shami bags another maiden to his name. |
| ISHANT SHARMA to continue his spell. |
| 82.1 : I Sharma to Dickwella, FOUR! Not in control but will take that as a snack after tea. Ishant bowls this wide outside off at a fuller length. Dickwella tries to drive it but gets a top edge to it and the ball flies to the vacant region towards the wide third man region behind the fence. |
| 82.2 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 82.3 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Outside off, Dickwella decides to leave it but is late in doing it. The ball hits the bottom of the bat and dies onto the ground. |
| 82.4 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Short of a length, Dickwella cuts it to point for a run. |
| 82.5 : I Sharma to Silva, 4 Byes! Welcome runs for Sri Lanka even though runs don't matter for them. This ball is bowled a little wide outside leg, Silva tries to flick it but misses it. The ball goes past a diving Saha for a boundary. |
| 82.6 : I Sharma to Silva, A touch fuller. Silva strides forward and flicks it to leg to pick up a single. |
| 83.1 : M Shami to Silva, Shami steams in from over the wicket and bangs in a bouncer around off, seaming away after hitting the deck. Silva remains circumspect in approach and drops his wrists to let it go. |
| 83.2 : M Shami to Silva, Good length delivery around off, shaping away a touch. Silva allows the ball to come to him and places it towards point for a single. |
| 83.3 : M Shami to N Dickwella, FOUR! Lucky runs! Back of a length delivery outside off, Dickwella looks to force it through covers but gets a thick outside edge in the gap between second slip and gully and the ball races away to the fence. Dickwella is riding his luck but that is the way he play. Nothing working for India at the moment. |
| 83.4 : M Shami to N Dickwella, Uppish but safe! Short delivery, Dickwella goes for a pull but isn't in total control of that. Thankfully for him, the ball lands well in front of the fielder at deep square leg. |
| 83.5 : M Shami to Silva, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 83.6 : M Shami to Silva, Short of a length delivery on the hips, Silva hops and turns it around the corner for a run. |
| 84.1 : I Sharma to Silva, Perfect length ball to bowl with the new ball but the line a straight. Silva pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 0.0 : Virat Kohli eggs the crowd to cheer for them. The Feroz Shah Kohli is buzzing right now. The Indian needs their backing if they are to break the resistance of the visitors. |
| 84.2 : I Sharma to Silva, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| 84.3 : I Sharma to Silva, Ohhh!!! The chearing crowd thought they got their man. Back of a length ball nips back to Silva. He tries to flick it but misses the ball and it hits him on his thigh pad. The slip cordon yells in unison but height and also moving down the leg side would be a concern. Ishant didn't look interested there. |
| 84.4 : I Sharma to Silva, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 84.5 : I Sharma to Silva, No run. |
| 84.6 : I Sharma to Silva, No run. |
| 85.1 : M Shami to Dickwella, Shami runs in from around the wicket to the southpaw and bangs it around the rib-cage area of the batsman. Dickwella tries to tuck it fine but misses. Saha moves to his right to collect it. |
| 85.2 : M Shami to Dickwella, Good length delivery well outside off, angling in. Dickwella plants his front foot across and makes a good leave. |
| 85.3 : M Shami to Dickwella, FOUR! Nice execution. Turns out to be a safe shot in the end. Shami tries to unsettle Dickwella with a short delivery. However, the southpaw remains cool as a cucumber and ramps it over the slip cordon for a one-bounce boundary. The wicket-keeper is enjoying the situation at present. |
| 85.4 : M Shami to Dickwella, No matter what, Dickwella will continue to play his natural game. Shami changes his angle and comes from over the wicket. Bowls it wide outside off, Dickwella leans into it and caresses it to deep point for a single. |
| 85.5 : M Shami to Silva, Length delivery on off, tapped with soft hands to mid on. |
| 85.6 : M Shami to Silva, Brilliantly bowled! That could have well gone past Silva's defense. Fuller in length around off, swinging in prodigiously. The right-hander tries to block it tentatively but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and a run is taken. |
| Leg gully in place now. |
| 86.1 : I Sharma to Silva, On a fullish length outside off, continuing to hold its line. Roshen lets it go. |
| 86.2 : I Sharma to Silva, Poor Ashwin! He has been at sea in the field. Back of a length delivery well outside off, Silva taps it with an open bat face towards Ash at backward point. He moves to his left and stops the ball but doesn't know where it is. Picks it up in the end. |
| 86.3 : I Sharma to Silva, Bouncer on middle and leg, Silva ducks under it to evade it. |
| 86.4 : I Sharma to Silva, The whole of Kotla erupts! It is Ashwin who has been successful with his dive. Short of a length delivery wide outside off, Silva places it towards point. Ashwin runs to his right, puts in a swimming pool dive and stops it cleanly. Ravi Shastri and Umesh Yadav are cheering for him from the dressing room. |
| 86.5 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Back of a length ball around off, Niroshan checks his stroke a bit and it goes uppishly towards mid-wicket. |
| 86.6 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Length delivery outside off, Dickwella shuffles a touch and blocks it solidly towards covers. |
| RAVINDRA JADEJA to replace Mohammed Shami. |
| 87.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! The debutant is growing in confidence. Coming in with the arm around off, Silva is nimble on feet and clips it through the gap between mid on and short mid-wicket. Both the fielders, Ashwin at the former position and Pujara at the latter, give up the chase too quickly as the ball rolls to the ropes. Jadeja is not amused one bit. |
| 87.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Quick and flat outside off, left alone. |
| 87.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Maiden Test fifty for Roshen Silva on debut! After a duck in the first innings, he would have been feeling nervy when he came out to bat this time, considering the situation of the game. This stroke to reach his fifty sums up his confident knock and showcases the fact that this young man has got a strong temperament. Skips down the track to the tossed up delivery and creams it through covers for an exquisite boundary. Still, he can't afford to relax and needs to c |
| 87.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, On a flatter trajectory outside off, Roshen doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 87.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, That one gripped! Floated around off, Silva prods forward to defend but the ball turns away sharply to beat him all ends up. |
| 87.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Quicker through the air outside off, Roshen makes a watchful leave. |
| 88.1 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Round the wicket, length ball, nipping back and Dickwella nudges it to wide fine leg for a run. |
| 88.2 : I Sharma to Silva, Over the wicket to the right-hander, shouldered arms to by Silva. |
| 88.3 : I Sharma to Silva, Silva drives it to covers to rotate strike. |
| 88.4 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Defended off the back foot by Dickwella. |
| 88.5 : I Sharma to N Dickwella, A touch fuller, Dickwella drives it to mid off. |
| 88.6 : I Sharma to Dickwella, Slower ball, Ishant trying all the tricks in his bag. Dickwella drives this one to covers for nothing. |
| 89.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Fullish delivery on off, Silva prods forward in defense. |
| 89.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Loopy delivery on a fullish length, Silva eases it to silly point. |
| 89.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Good running! Silva plays this one with soft hands to extra cover and sets off. Sharma comes in quickly and throws it back to the keeper but by that time, Dickwella makes it crease. |
| Virat Kohli has got hold of a kite. Not sure where it has come from but the skipper is having fun with it. The crowd enjoys it. Kohli hands it back to the umpire. |
| 89.4 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Uses his feet to this one and stonewalls it. |
| 89.5 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Risky! Floated outside off, Dickwella kneels and goes for the sweep but misses. That was not from the off pole. |
| 89.6 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Quick and flat on off, kept out. |
| RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN to bowl with Jadeja from the other end. |
| 90.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Spinning in at a quick pace, turned with the spin through mid-wicket for an easy run. |
| 90.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Fullish delivery on off, Dickwella taps it towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 90.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Slower through the air on off, Silva flicks it through the vacant leg gully region for a couple. Wonder why India do not have more close-in fielders. |
| Leg gully in place now. |
| 90.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 90.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Quick and flat, blocked watchfully of the back foot. |
| 90.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, FOUR! Dickwella continues to live dangerously and is getting away with it as well. Tossed up around off, the southpaw crouches and goes for a slog sweep but his bottom hand comes off. Ends up mistiming it aerially towards short fine leg. Pujara runs to his right, puts in the dive but the ball evades him and runs through to the fence behind. |
| 91.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva uses his feet and hence Jadeja fires it in. Silva fails to defend it and takes it on the pads. |
| 91.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, FOUR! Easy pickings! Short and wide outside off, Silva rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 91.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Again uses his feet and looks to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 91.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 91.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Tossed up outside off, eased to long off for a single. |
| Deepish mid off in place now. Meanwhile, Vijay adjusts the grip of Dickwella's bat. Good gesture shown from him. |
| 91.6 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, STUMPING CHANCE MISSED! Big moment in the game! |
| 92.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, A bit shorter from Ashwin, Silva punches it to point for a run. |
| 92.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Tossed up, Dickwella drives it to mid on for nothing. |
| 92.3 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Short again, Dickwella pulls it in front of square to pick up a brace. |
| 92.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Picks it up on the full and sweeps it to fine leg for a run. |
| 92.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Quick through the air, fullish length, Silva pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 92.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, FOUR! Ashwin is getting punished bowling at this length. Short again and Silva rocks back cuts it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 93.1 : Jadeja to Dickwella, Full delivery outside off, Dickwella goes for another fancy shot, the paddle sweep but gets beaten. That was close to the off stump. |
| 93.2 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Hangs back and dabs it with an open bat face to point. |
| 93.3 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, The roughs have opened up. Quick delivery outside off, turns and bounces in viciously. Dickwella is surprised and tries to fend it off but takes it on the gloves. |
| 93.4 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Looks to play an attacking sweep but misses again. |
| 93.5 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 93.6 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Fullish delivery outside off, Dickwella yet again goes for the sweep but again misses. |
| 94.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 94.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flatter this time, turned to mid-wicket. |
| 94.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, In line of the stumps, tucked to the same region. |
| A bit of cat and mouse game going on at the moment. When the field is spinning into the left-hander, Virat Kohli is smartly moving the field back on the off side. He is telling him to play against the spin which is always a difficult thing to do on a deteriorating pitch. While the field is being moved in when Roshen Silva is on strike. |
| 94.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Hangs deep in the crease and dabs it to point. |
| 94.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, The batsman drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 94.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Silva hangs back and works it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| Drinks time. Last hour of the day coming up. India need five wickets while Sri Lanka need 134 runs for a victory. It is a far-fetched sight if the visitors are eyeing a win but it does make the contest an exciting one. If Saha had stumped Dickwella, the pressure might have made the lower order crumble. |
| 95.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Tosses it up around off, blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 95.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, This ball is driven towards covers. |
| 95.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Pushed towards mid on. |
| 95.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Punched through covers for a single. |
| 95.5 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Dickwella gets down and sweeps it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 95.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva comes down, takes it on the full and pushes it towards mid on. |
| Another kite falls on the ground. |
| 96.1 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Straight ball, no turn for Ashwin. Dickwella stonewalls it. |
| 96.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Outside off, Dickwella leaves it alone. |
| 96.3 : R Ashwin to Dickwella,Fuller in length, Dickwella drives it to covers. |
| 96.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Dickwella plays the sweep shot yet again for another single. |
| 96.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flatter on the pads, turned through backward square leg for one. |
| 96.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, ND sweeps it to short fine leg. |
| 97.1 : R Jadeja to Silva, Looped up outside off, Silva covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 97.2 : R Jadeja to Silva, Picks up a single by driving it through covers. |
| 97.3 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Dickwella is dependent on the sweeps for his runs in the last couple of overs. Could get him in trouble if the ball misbehaves. Gets a run this time towards deep square leg. |
| 97.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Roshen charges down to block this one. |
| 97.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, There's the misbehavior! Flatter outside off, the ball doesn't get up. Silva gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to keep it out. |
| 97.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva comes down the track and eases this down to long on for one. |
| 98.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Silva presents a straight bat face as he keeps it out watchfully. |
| 98.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated around off, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 98.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Roshen looks solid in defense as he negotiates this one. |
| 98.4 : R Ashwin to Silva, Tossed up around middle, buried into the ground from the crease. |
| 98.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, On the pads, flicked towards square leg. |
| 98.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Another solid front foot defense presented to this delivery on the stumps. |
| A backward short leg, deep square leg and a mid-wicket in place apart from the leg gully. |
| 99.1 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Floated around off, swept towards square leg. |
| 99.2 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, This delivery is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 99.3 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, There he misses the sweep shot. Landed outside off, Dickwella gets down for the shot but misses. |
| 99.4 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Niroshan gets down and sweeps it through backward square leg for a brace. |
| 99.5 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Flighted ball outside off, the ball spins in just a bit. Dickwella offers his front pad to that. |
| 99.6 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, This one spins in from the rough outside off. Dickwella stays back to cut but misses. |
| 100.1 : R Ashwin to Silva, Floated around off, blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 100.2 : R Ashwin to Silva, This delivery is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 100.3 : R Ashwin to Silva, Flicked towards the man at fine leg for a single. |
| 100.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, And again! Dickwella should be careful while playing the sweep repeatedly. Seeing this delivery around off, he gets down to play that shot. Gets a top edge and the ball lies in the vacant square leg region. One run for that. |
| 100.5 : R Ashwin to Silva, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. |
| 100.6 : R Ashwin to Silva, Roshen Silva gets back and flicks it off his pads. |
| 101.1 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Served around off, defended watchfully from the crease. |
| 101.2 : R Jadeja to Dickwella, Some flight on that one, Niroshan plays it with the angle through mid-wicket for one. |
| 101.3 : R Jadeja to Silva, Flatter around middle, bunted on to the ground. |
| 101.4 : R Jadeja to Silva, Darted in at 89kmph, Silva pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 101.5 : R Jadeja to Silva, Just outside off, Silva goes back and guides it deftly towards backward point. |
| 101.6 : R Jadeja to Silva, Silva comes down the track and blocks. |
| 102.1 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Dickwella tries to sweep yet again but misses. |
| 102.2 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, ND has played it to the point region |
| 102.3 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Ashwin bowls it outside off, Dickwella slashes it aerially towards point. Shouts of catch it follow. |
| 102.4 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Swept away towards square leg. |
| BindaasBunty - Maybe bad light could be the reason behind Shami not being brought into the attack. @BindaasBunty - If that is the case, the match would rather be called off than carrying on for no reason. |
| 102.5 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, Dickwella blocks it from the crease. |
| 102.6 : R Ashwin to Dickwella, No, it won't be a maiden! Dickwella punches it through covers for a single. |
| Dickwella walks down to the non-striker's end. It at first seems that it is some sort of time wasting tactic. Well, hold on! The batsmen are asking the dressing room about calling off the game... And the signal from the dressing room comes in as affirmative! So it has ended in a DRAW! A moral victory for Sri Lanka nevertheless. |
| Sri Lanka would be very pleased with their batting on the last day. They will believe that they have won the game even though the results doesn't say likewise. Starting with Dhananjaya de Silva, they had the confidence in themselves and carried on throughout the day. |
| Day 1 belonged to India where we witnessed a big hundred from Vijay and a double hundred from Virat Kohli. India went on to score a massive 536/7 after what we can say was a absurd decision - not because of the playing conditions but because of the environmental conditions. The Sri Lankan players were seen wearing masks while taking the field while few of them were also seen throwing up on the field. Day 2 was a little more media catching for the wrong reasons. |
| Sri Lanka played well especially the partnership between Angelo Mathews and their skipper Dinesh Chandimal. It never changed the tide towards them but psychologically really helped their approach. India came out with a positive approach in the following day but it really didn't click. They didn't score as quickly as per their liking and declared their innings giving Sri Lanka a target of 409 to win. India picked up three wickets at the close of day 4 and really had the belief that they could go |
| The pitch didn't help the Indian spinners on the final day as they didn't get much purchase from it. They picked up the wicket of Mathews early but Dhananjaya de Silva and his middle order stitched up good partnerships to remove all doubts about another collapse. Indian bowlers tried their best but were unable to get the better of the Sri Lankan batters. They had their opportunists with a stumping gone begging and Jadeja's extended stride which caused a no ball. |
| So were India a little too over confident after the loss of two early wickets the previous day? Having bowled out oppositions on previous occasions many a times when being in this position. On another given day they would have wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings by Tea but some solid defense by the latter's saved the match. |
| Niroshan Dickwella says that there was a rough available for Jadeja to bowl at and Ashwin was bowling well. States that he was playing his normal game. On asking about the batters' intent, he mentions that they were planning to chase this down if they would have got partnerships. Asserts that Dhananjaya de Silva's injury didn't help their cause. Adds further that if the batsman hadn't been injured, they would have still gone for the target. Opines that it wasn't a Day 5 track as there was a flat |
| Roshen Silva agrees that he was under pressure in the first innings. His aim was to impress the selectors and he thinks he has done that. Adds that the opposition bowlers were tough to face and are of good quality. His thought process was of attacking the spinners and putting them on the back foot. He had a talk with Dickwella when the latter walked out to bat and decided that they will play their normal game. About coming good in this innings, he states that it wasn't easy and their batting coa |
| Well, this wasn't the presentation. It was Sanjay Manjrekar catching up with the last Sri Lankan pair that was at the crease at the time of the match being called off. Presentation coming up... |
| DINESH CHANDIMAL, the Sri Lankan skipper, says it was a really good series apart from the second game where they didn't do well. Adds that they learnt lessons from the last series and did well here. Lauds his team management and players for their contribution. He states that the entire side looks up to Rangana Herath and Angelo Mathews and when the either of them does well, the team generally fares well. Credits Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva to have battled out through tough conditions. A |
| VIRAT KOHLI, the Indian captain is adjudged as the Man of the Match as well as the Man of the Series for his stellar run in the tournament. He admits that it was a good series for him personally. Adds that he was hitting the ball well and it was a revelation for him that he could play Tests like he does in the limited overs games. When he wasn't the captain of the side, milestones drove him, but now he realizes that it is about the team. He works on things that benefit the team. States that the |
| So that's it from us for the Test series. Sri Lanka would be glad with the final 1-0 result, especially after being whitewashed at home by India earlier this year. All the pre-series talks, too, revolved around the hosts steamrolling them. But they have done really well to lose just the solitary game in the series. That's not all from this Sri Lankan tour, though. It is time for the colored-clothing games to take precedent now. The ODI series begins first. Will the tourists put up a good show th |
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