| 0.1 : 0.1: S Lakmal to Rahul, OUT! What a nasty one to get first up! Brilliant from Lakmal. He bowls it right on the money. A length delivery angling into the batsman, nipping away a shade after pitching. Rahul has to play the trajectory, tries to get behind the line but the movement and some extra bounce bring his downfall. It takes a tiny edge off the shoulder of the bat and goes behind to the keeper. Dickwella catches it, appeals and up goes the finger. A golden duck for KL. What a start for Sri La |
| 3.6 : 3.6: L Gamage to Dhawan, FOUR! First of the innings. Gamage goes short outside off, Dhawan leans back a bit and packs a punch through point. Finds the gap and gets a boundary to his name. Lahiru continues to struggle. |
| 5.2 : 5.2: L Gamage to C Pujara, FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Pujara has a tame push inside the line, not much footwork and it races away off the outside edge past the diving third slip fielder. Pujara is off the mark after 21 balls in an edgy manner. |
| 6.2: S Lakmal to Dhawan, OUT! Dhawan has chopped it on! He goes for an expansive drive to a length ball nipping back into him. Gets a big inside edge as his bottom hand comes off and he has his middle stump pegged back. Shikhar won't be too happy with that shot selection. Lakmal, in the meantime, is all smiles. He has provided Sri Lanka a brilliant start. India at the moment are a little stunned. |
| 7.3 : 7.3: L Gamage to C Pujara, FOUR! Quality shot! The bowler overpitches it outside off and Pujara unfurls a beautiful off drive to gain a boundary. This will give ample confidence to the batsman. |
| 10.1 : 10.1: S Lakmal to Kohli, OUT! It's clipping the leg stump and hence the umpire's call will stay. The Indian skipper bags a rare duck. Massive breakthrough for Sri Lanka and they are absolutely delighted. Lakmal is on fire today. He has not conceded a single run so far and has hunted down his third wicket now. He dishes out a full length delivery on middle and it jags back in rather than going away. Kohli tries to work it away on the leg side but misses. He is thudded on the pads, they appeal voc |
| 13.4 : 13.4: D Shanaka to C Pujara, FOUR! First runs of the day, in the form of a boundary. Shanaka delivers a half volley around off, Pujara drives it towards covers. Chandimal there dives to his right and gets some hand to it but only parries it to the long off boundary. |
| 13.6 : 13.6: D Shanaka to Pujara, FOUR! One brings two! Is this end jixed? Yesterday Gamage struggled from this end and today Shanaka. Bowls a full delivery outside off, Pujara drives it through mid off a la yesterday and helps himself to another boundary. He's on 16 now and all runs have been due to boundaries - unlike Che. |
| 14.5 : 14.5: S Lakmal to Rahane, FOUR! First runs off Lakmal's bowling! And it's a boundary that gets it. Though Rahane wasn't in control of that. This is bowled outside off, Ajinkya plays it away from the body and gets it through point. The ball has enough legs to go to the fence. Rahane gets off the mark with this. |
| 17.2 : 17.2: D Shanaka to Rahane, OUT! Shanaka strikes to end Rahane's misery. All through this morning, Rahane didn't look comfortable against the moving ball. So much so that he was troubled even by the ones that didn't move. This was a fuller delivery swinging away just a bit. Rahane looks to drive it away from the body. The extra bounce on that means that all he manages to do is get a thin edge to that which is happily gobbled by Dickwella. The Lankans are ecstatic and why not! India in deep troub |
| 17.6 : 17.6: D Shanaka to R Ashwin, FOUR! That's a lollypop, says Sanjay Manjrekar on-air about this ball! Shanaka delivers a low full toss in a bid to bowl fuller for the swing. Ashwin just times it sweetly through covers to get going with a boundary. |
| 19.1 : 19.1: D Shanaka to Pujara, FOUR! Aah! Glorious! It seems Pujara is batting in altogether different conditions than the other Indian batsmen. Shanaka serves a full delivery around off, Pujara drives it through mid off for a boundary. Replays show that he got it off the inner half as he looked to go a bit more towards covers. |
| 25.1: D Shanaka to Pujara, FOUR! Beautifully played that! Fuller delivery outside off, Pujara gets a small stride forward and just caresses it through covers. There's no stopping that. |
| 25.6 : 25.6: D Shanaka to Ashwin, OUT! Mind games are a thing in the sport and it shows. Shanaka created some doubts by banging an odd delivery short and also copped a blow to Ashwin. Here Ashwin was hanging on the back foot and sensing that Dasun hurls in a fuller delivery around off. Ashwin looks to drive it and gets it off the outer half straight to Karunaratne at backward point who makes no mistake. The umpires check for the front foot no ball but the bowler is just fine there. So, his persistence |
| 26.5 : 26.5: L Gamage to C Pujara, FOUR! Learn it from Cheteshwar Pujara! Of all the batsmen who have played so far, he has really looked solid out there. Perhaps the county experience helping him more in India! Whatever is the case, he's countering it well. Full length ball outside off, he leans into the shot and drives it through wide mid off for a boundary. |
| 29.1 : 29.1: D Karunaratne to Pujara, FOUR! After countering all the better bowlers early on, this is a gift for Pujara. Short and wide outside off, Pujara goes back and slaps it powerfully through covers for a boundary. |
| 31.1: D Karunaratne to Pujara, FOUR! Tripe! Pujara isn't someone who will let a freebie pass by especially when he is set. Karunaratne, at his pace, cannot imagine himself to be a Steyn. He does so and bangs it short. Pujara has ample time to go back and pull it through deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 31.4 : 31.4: D Karunaratne to Saha, FOUR! Now Saha gets into the act. Gets off the mark with a boundary. Karunaratne bowls it on a shorter length around off, Saha goes back and punches it through point. The ball speeds away to the fence. |
| 33.5 : 33.5: R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! A tossed up ball on leg, Pujara goes down on one knee and sweeps it fine down the leg side for a boundary. What a knock by India's number 3, his 16th Test fifty! Wickets were tumbling at the other end but he kept his composure and has played an exemplary innings so far. |
| 37.2 : 37.2: Gamage to C Pujara, OUT! Gamage has gone through the defense of Cheteshwar Pujara and that in itself is a big achievement. He jumps in joy and is all pumped up. It's a full length ball outside off, Pujara decides to drive it through the line by leaving a small gap between his bat and pad. That's enough for the bowler. He gets his delivery to swerve back in enough to sneak through that gap. The off stump goes cartwheeling. End of a stoic knock by India's number 3. He seems a bit stunned by |
| 39.2: L Gamage to Saha, FOUR! Shot! Gamage pitches it full and outside off, it straightens a touch after landing, Saha does well to take his front leg to the pitch of the delivery and plays an exquisite square drive for a boundary. Lakmal tried to stop it with a dive but failed in his attempt. I'm not bothered about that, only question - What is Lakmal doing at point? |
| 39.5 : 39.5: L Gamage to Saha, FOUR! A bit uppish but safe. Full and angling into the batsman, Saha gets forward and across and flicks it aerially. It's a bit wide of the mid-wicket fielder and speeds away through the fence. |
| 41.2 : 41.2: L Gamage to Jadeja, FOUR! That's a poor delivery and gets the deserved treatment. Short and outside off, Jadeja stands tall and slaps it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 42.1 : 42.1: S Lakmal to R Jadeja, FOUR! Lakmal slants across a short of a length delivery outside off, Jadeja stands tall inside the crease and whacks it to point. Sadeera Samarawickrama at point gets down low to stop the ball but it sneaks through his hands. Shanaka then chases it from covers and slides near the fence to pull it back. The umpire however wants to get it checked. The third umpire watches a few angles and feels that Dasun was in contact with the ball and the rope at the same time. Touch |
| 43.5 : 43.5: D Perera to Saha, FOUR! Perera loses his radar and bowls a quicker and flatter one wide outside off. It's short as well and Saha just uses the pace on the delivery to run it fine down to third man for a boundary. |
| 44.4 : 44.4: S Lakmal to Saha, EDGY FOUR! Lakmal drops it on a length outside off, Saha commits himself on the front foot as he tries to defend. He realizes immediately that the ball has straightened a touch and takes his bottom hand off the handle. As a result, the outside edge doesn't carry to the gully fielder (Dilruwan Perera) who dives but fails to make the stop. It sneaks past him and reaches the fence in no time. |
| 45.4: D Perera to Jadeja, SIX! Enough of blocking. Here comes the big shot. A flighted ball angling into the batsman from around the wicket, Jadeja clears his front leg and powers it over long on for a biggie. |
| 50.6 : 50.6: D Shanaka to Saha, FOUR! ELEGANT! Half volley outside off, Saha leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 51.2 : 51.2: Perera to Jadeja, OUT! LBW it is and that is a fantastic review by Sri Lanka! It might have taken ages but eventually the right decision has been made. The arm ball from Dilruwan, landed around middle and off, skidding on, Jadeja gets his bat down to defend but he does not cover the line. The ball hits the bat and pad at the same time, at least that is what we feel. Dilruwan is confident and appeals. Dickwella anyways appeals for anything and everything and backs his bowler. The umpire sta |
| 51.5 : 51.5: D Perera to Saha, OUT! Technology aids Sri Lanka again. Full and around off, spinning in a touch, Saha gets down to sweep but misses. The ball lobs off something in the air and Angelo Mathews takes it comfortably going to his left from slip. The umpire rules Saha out but he is not even looking at Mr. Wilson. He is busy walking towards square leg, just taking a breather. Then, he is shocked. |
| 52.3 : 52.3: D Shanaka to Kumar, FOUR! Controlled edge or was it? |
| 56.2 : 56.2: S Lakmal to Kumar, OUT! Caught behind! Brilliant bowling and Lakmal has 4 now. On a length outside off, Bhuvi does what he does best. Defend with the bat close to the ball. But the cherry just nips away and that defeats him. The outside edge is taken and Dickwella does not miss this one. |
| 57.3 : 57.3: L Gamage to Shami, FOUR! Slash and slashed hard! Mr. Ravi Shastri would say that. A length ball outside off, Shami swings hard and gets a thick outside edge. But it is over the slips and races to the third man fence. |
| 57.4 : 57.4: L Gamage to Shami, FOUR! A top edge now! Banged in short, Shami goes for the pull now and gets a top edge which goes to the fine leg fence. |
| 58.2 : 58.2: S Lakmal to Yadav, FOUR! BELLIGERENT! The tail is enjoying itself. Wagging along. A length ball, in line of the stumps, Umesh gives it respect which is worth the number 0 and swings it over mid on. Hang on, there is no mid on at all. Plenty of open spaces down the ground. Help yourself. Boundary. |
| 59.1 : 59.1: L Gamage to Shami, FOUR! BLAST! Powerfully struck. Full and outside off, Shami backs away and slaps it through mid off. There is a long off in place, he gets across to his right, slides but misses the ball. |
| 59.3 : 59.3: L Gamage to M Shami, OUT! Caught! The fun ends and Lakmal does not get a fifer. India do not reach 200. But this is a fighting total on a pitch which is doing a lot. Another short ball, Shami swings but does not make clear contact, or say a contact which would have made him stay in the middle. He miscues it in the air and Dasun Shanaka comes in a touch from deep mid-wicket. Pouches the catch safely and that ends the innings. INDIA BOWLED OUT FOR 172! |
| 0.1 : 0.1: B Kumar to Samarawickrama, FOUR! Sri Lanka are away! Bhuvneshwar operates with three slips and a short leg. Serves a full length ball on off, swinging back in after landing, Sadeera flicks it from the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Ashwin gives it the chase, a slow chase and then tries to slide to pull it back. A bit lazy in this and the ball meets the fence. |
| 1.1: M Shami to Karunaratne, FOUR! Karunaratne is away! Shami initiates from around the wicket and angles in a back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Dimuth gets back and glances it off his hips through backward square leg. Too quick to stop for the fine leg fielder. |
| 2.2 : 2.2: B Kumar to Samarawickrama, FOUR! This young man is timing his shots brilliantly. Kumar errs in his line and bowls a length ball around middle and leg. Samarawickrama flicks it beautifully through backward square leg for a boundary. Maybe, Bhuvi was attempting the magic delivery, the outswinger from middle and leg. Didn't happen. |
| 3.6 : 3.6: M Shami to S Samarawickrama, FOUR! Quality! An overpitched delivery outside off, Samarawickrama plays a delightful extra cover drive. Ashwin dives over the ball while moving across to his left from mid off and lets it through to the long off fence. Very poor. |
| 4.5 : 4.5: B Kumar to Karunaratne, OUT! Hitting the off stump, Dimuth has to go this time. The round the wicket angle has worked for the bowler. He steams in and angles in a length ball outside off. It jags back in off the seam, Dimuth misjudges it and offers no shot. Takes it on his front pad, the Indians appeal and the umpire once again raises his finger. Karunaratne takes the referral after consulting his partner. The replays roll in. Impact cannot be an issue here as no shot was offered. But is it |
| 6.4 : 6.4: B Kumar to Samarawickrama, OUT! One shot too many! Sadeera Samarawickrama once again looked promising in his little knock, just like his debut game. Plenty of talent but he needs to get smart with his shot selection. He tried too many things too early in his innings. Kumar persists with his line outside off, getting it to move away a shade, Samarawickrama jumps back to punch away from his body but it takes the outside edge. Saha makes no mistake and Sri Lanka have now lost both their opener |
| 9.4: M Shami to L Thirimanne, FOUR! Shami overpitches outside off, Thirimanne leans forward and drives it crisply through covers. It races through and speeds past the practice wickets to the fence. |
| 13.4: U Yadav to Thirimanne, FOUR! Not in any control! Sharp delivery, a touch short and around leg, Thirimanne gets back to play at it but it takes his gloves and runs wide of the diving keeper for a boundary at fine leg. 50 up for Sri Lanka! |
| 14.3 : 14.3: B Kumar to L Thirimanne, FOUR! A classic cover drive to an overpitched delivery outside off. Thirimanne didn't try to hit it hard. Just leaned into his shot and pierced the gap. Beautiful stroke for a boundary. |
| 15.3: U Yadav to L Thirimanne, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Thirimanne intentionally throws his bat at it. Does not get the desired region, which might have been point but it flies over the slips to third man. |
| 15.4 : 15.4: U Yadav to Thirimanne, FOUR! Another poor ball. Down the leg side, Thirimanne clips it away for consecutive boundaries. |
| 16.5 : 16.5: M Shami to A Mathews, EDGED, FOUR! Kohli applauds. Shami nearly gets a breakthrough. On a length outside off, Mathews stays back to defend but is squared up. The ball kicks off the surface, deviates a touch and goes off the outside edge past second slip through the vacant third slip region. Would not have carried anyway. |
| 20.4 : 20.4: M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! A rare loosener, half volley on the pads, flicked through square leg for a boundary. Perhaps Kohli might be better off with the man at mid-wicket moving to square leg. This is the second time Mathews has played that shot today, aerially. |
| 20.5 : 20.5: M Shami to Mathews, EDGED, FOUR! Shami is bowling his heart out. A length ball outside off, Mathews tries to defend but the ball squirts off the outside edge past second slip to the third man fence. The deficit is now 88. 50-RUN STAND IS UP. The first of the match! |
| 21.4 : 21.4: U Yadav to A Mathews, FOUR! Excellent placement. Perhaps short of a fuller length, outside off, Mathews plays it behind point and gets a boundary! |
| 24.2 : 24.2: B Kumar to Thirimanne, FOUR! Full and on the pads, easy pickings for a batsman who has faced 60 balls, clipped through mid-wicket for a boundary to take the stand to 63 from 106 balls. Good rate. Thirimanne himself is on 40 now, from just 60 deliveries. |
| 24.4 : 24.4: B Kumar to Thirimanne, FOUR! Wrong line again. On the pads, flicked through fine leg for the second boundary of the over. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA! |
| 25.4: R Ashwin to Thirimanne, FOUR! BOOM! That came out of the blue. Ashwin gave this just a little bit of air and for a man batting with positive intent, that was enough. Got down and slog swept it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The stand moves to 72 now. The Lankans are 66 runs adrift. |
| 32.4: U Yadav to Mathews, FOUR! Confidently driven. Yadav dishes out a full length delivery outside off, Angelo presses forward and drives it through the gap at covers for a boundary. |
| 33.3 : 33.3: M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! Boom! A cracking shot by Mathews. He fetches a short ball from outside off and plays a crunching pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 35.5 : 35.5: M Shami to A Mathews, EDGED, FOUR! Lucky runs for Mathews. Shami cannot believe his luck. An excellent delivery, on a good length around off, shaping back in, Mathews gets back to defend but fails to cover the line and movement entirely. It kisses the outside half of the bat and flies right through the gap between second slip and gully. Kohli needs to plug that gap. |
| 36.2 : 36.2: U Yadav to L Thirimanne, OUT! Fantastic catch by Virat Kohli! Yadav speeds in from around the wicket and hurls across a back of a length delivery around off. It straightens a hint as it reaches the batsman who tries to push inside the line. Gets a thick outside edge towards second slip where Kohli stretches down low to his left and snaps an excellent catch. He bangs the ball on the turf to let out his frustration as Yadav roars in delight. End of a fine knock and a partnership worth 99 run |
| 36.5 : 36.5: U Yadav to Mathews, FOUR! Uppish but safe! Short in length and around off, Mathews nicely gets on top of the bounce and pulls it across the line. It's aerial but well wide of Pujara at mid-wicket. He stretched both his hands out but was never in contention of taking the catch. 28th Test fifty for Angelo Mathews and it has come at a crucial time. He was going through a lean phase and Sri Lanka will hope that this innings will break the deadlock. |
| 38.5: U Yadav to A Mathews, OUT! Poor, very poor from Mathews. He is dejected with himself as he walks back to the pavilion. Yadav with yet another wicket and both the settled batsmen for Sri Lanka are back in the pavilion, just what we were saying during the tea break. It wasn't exactly a great delivery, on a length and outside off, Mathews drives it uppishly and straight into the hands of KL Rahul at covers. He makes no mistake and India are turning it on. The replays show that Mathews' feet w |
| 42.5: U Yadav to Dickwella, FOUR! Back of a length delivery on middle, angling down the leg side, Dickwella gets on top of the bounce and eases it down to fine leg for a boundary. The fielder in the deep was very square and had no chance of cutting it off. |
| 44.4 : 44.4: M Shami to Dickwella, FOUR! ELEGANT! Full and outside off, Dickwella leans and drives it through mid off and cover. Not a soul moves. The deficit does move though, down to 14. |
| 48.2 : 48.2: M Shami to Dickwella, FOUR! More timing than power and placement. Shami angles it in on a length around off. Dickwella just whips it uppishly over mid-wicket. The ball has enough legs to roll to the fence. Scores level now. |
| 50.3 : 50.3: M Shami to Chandimal, FOUR! Sometimes, the fielder chasing the ball can reveal the result of the shot. Speared around off and middle, Chandimal flicks it through mid-wicket. Ashwin from mid on runs after it but he knows it is well timed and hence gives up the chase. |
| 51.1 : 51.1: B Kumar to Dickwella, FOUR! Dickwella goes aerial and connects. His plan to unsettle the Indian seamers early in the day seems to be working so far. Kumar bowls it full around middle and leg, the keeper-batsman just lifts it over wide mid on. The ball goes to the fence on a couple of bounces. |
| 51.3 : 51.3: B Kumar to Chandimal, FOUR! Beautifully driven. Chandimal has been beaten by Kumar on numerous occasions yet he hasn't let that affect him. Gets to the pitch of the ball and bisects the small gap between mid off and covers. It is so well timed that the ball speeds away to the fence. |
| 51.4 : 51.4: B Kumar to Chandimal, FOUR! Another one of those edgy streaky boundaries in this innings. Kumar lands it just around off, Chandimal gets squared up a bit. Gets a thick outside edge that flies past the third slip and goes to the third man fence. |
| 52.3 : 52.3: M Shami to Dickwella, FOUR! And there's that boundary that Sri Lanka are scoring almost every over. This is short, this is wide. Dickwella is too good to miss out on such opportunities. Slaps it through point for a boundary. |
| 52.5 : 52.5: M Shami to N Dickwella, OUT! Mohammed Shami gets India the breakthrough. Dickwella gets tentative this one time and that ends his breezy knock today. Shami lands it on a length around off, from over the wicket. Dickwella plays inside the line anticipating some inward movement. But there wasn't any. The ball takes the thick outside edge and goes to Kohli at second slip who takes it reverse-cupped right in front of his face. Replays show that the batter playing it with an angled bat let him |
| 53.3 : 53.3: B Kumar to Shanaka, OUT! Yes he is gone! Plumb as it gets. Often one brings two and here's the second! Kumar serves an inswinging length ball just outside off. Shanaka doesn't anticipate it in so much and opts to let that go by shouldering his arms. The ball comes in and he gets hit on the knee-roll. The Indians go up in unison. The umpire takes ages to raise that dreaded finger. Dasun takes the DRS straightaway. Since he wasn't offering a shot, the impact was never a question. Hawk Eye s |
| 54.2 : 54.2: M Shami to Chandimal, OUT! Gone this time! The ball doesn't fail to miss the edge of the bat this time and the Indians are hopping in joy as if small kids have been handed chocolates in plenty. Shami serves it full outside off and it swings away further. Chandimal looks to drive that but only manages a nick to Saha who doesn't make any mistake. Sri Lanka's batsmen are walking to the dressing room like children in a school. The lead still 29. |
| 55.2: B Kumar to Herath, FOUR! Sri Lanka's batsmen would now have realised that there are boundaries for the taking if you play it around Ashwin. Fuller delivery around middle and leg, Herath clips it through mid-wicket. Being fair to Ashwin, this was really well-timed. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 59.3 : 59.3: U Yadav to Herath, FOUR! Short, wide, punished. Yadav gives Herath ample room outside off, the latter doesn't think twice before freeing his arms. Gets it through cover-point for a boundary. Hard to understand why Kohli doesn't have a man to man that region considering the number of boundaries that we have seen today through there. |
| 62.2 : 62.2: V Kohli to Herath, FOUR! THE LEAD CROSSES 50! A friendly full toss on offer, on the pads, Herath just flicks it through squarish mid-wicket. Lokesh Rahul starts to give it a chase from fine leg but the timing of that shot beats him. The stand is worth 23 now. Herath is on 20! |
| 64.3 : 64.3: M Shami to R Herath, FOUR! That is a terrific shot. Banged in short around off, Herath, who has not been troubled much by that length today, pulls it wide of mid on for a boundary. The lead is now 61, the stand moves to 32! |
| 64.5 : 64.5: M Shami to Herath, FOUR! Outstanding timing! A full toss, swinging in from outside off, Herath does two things in one go. First he counters the swing by getting his bat down in time and then manages to push it through the covers. Finds the gap and boundary. Herath is now 30 from 45 balls. 5 boundaries in that. |
| 68.6 : 68.6: Shami to Perera, OUT! Caught behind! That is a jaffa. Could have got out any quality batsman. Shami lands this on a length in the corridor of uncertainty and that makes Dilruwan play at that. He does not do much wrong, gets behind the line of the ball to defend but then that cherry moves just that shade away - just perhaps 0.1 percent and takes the outside edge to Saha. More movement could have perhaps saved him. India appeal and the umpire raises his finger. No review from Dilruwan this t |
| 71.4 : 71.4: B Kumar to Lakmal, FOUR! On the pads, flicked away through mid-wicket for a boundary! |
| 73.1 : 73.1: U Yadav to R Herath, FOUR! Lucky Herath again. Short and wide outside off, Herath flashes hard but gets a top edge. Luckily for him, it flies over the slips to the third man fence. |
| 73.5 : 73.5: U Yadav to Lakmal, FOUR! This time he connects! Short and outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for another boundary! |
| 77.3 : 77.3: U Yadav to Herath, FOUR! FABULOUS! Third Test Fifty for Herath! And I daresay, this could be one of his most important knocks. He has done an outstanding job again, this time with the bat. Gets a half volley and drives it through the covers for a boundary. What has been impressive is his strike rate as well. Kept India on the back foot and now the LEAD CROSSES THE 100-MARK. |
| 79.2 : 79.2: U Yadav to R Herath, FOUR! What a shot. He is just batting on another planet. Banged in short, outside off, Herath pulls it through mid-wicket and beats the fielder running to his right in the deep. The stand is worth 33 now... |
| 81.4 : 81.4: Shami to R Herath, FOUR! Another slice of luck. A bouncer, around middle and off, Herath thinks to hook but then tries to bail out of the shot. The ball takes the top edge and flies over the keeper to the fine leg fence! |
| 82.3 : 82.3: B Kumar to Herath, OUT! The contract is over. Herath has been dismissed and his luck has run out. A short ball outside off, Herath places it nicely over point. For once, India have fielders in positions where the ball can travel. Mohammed Shami does not have to do much and takes the catch with ease. Virat Kohli eggs the crowd on and pumps his fists. But... in reality, he will be disappointed with what has transpired in this match so far. A terrific 67 from Herath and another crucial stand |
| 83.1 : 83.1: M Shami to Lakmal, FOUR! More runs. Full and wide outside off, Lakmal looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It goes all along the ground past third slip and races to the fence. |
| 83.4 : 83.4: M Shami to Lakmal, OUT! Knocked him over! The Lankan innings ends at least. Not surprising as to what happened with Lakmal. He had complete freedom to try and get a century in 30 balls and he was going after everything. The ball was slightly short of full and outside off. Lakmal through his bat at it but his feet were stuck in cement. Normally the feet should move, unless you have luck like Herath's. Else, the ball generally tends to either beat the edge or take it. This time it went off t |
| 1.2 : 1.2: L Gamage to L Rahul, FOUR! This is what a full-flow Rahul can do. Play classical shots and get runs. Overpitched outside off, Rahul leans into it and drives it classically through covers. |
| 1.3 : 1.3: L Gamage to Rahul, FOUR! And another one. Two-in-two. Gamage, in search of some swing, bowls it full again around off. Rahul just times his push past mid off perfectly. There was no one manning that area and a boundary results. |
| 1.6 : 1.6: L Gamage to Rahul, FOUR! Third one in the over. Gamage had been given this end in the first innings and he largely struggled from here. Again he doesn't seem entirely at ease and is leaking runs. Hurls in another full ball outside off, Rahul gets his stride forward and drives it through covers, beating the man there to his left. The ball races away to the fence. 12 off this over. Rahul and India are off to a fluent start. |
| 2.5 : 2.5: S Lakmal to Dhawan, FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan gets going with a boundary now. Lakmal serves it on a fuller length outside off, the southpaw gets a stride forward and drives it through covers. The fielder there gives a valiant chase but comes second best. |
| 3.5: L Gamage to Dhawan, FOUR! Authoritative! Gamage offers a short ball just outside off at 121 kmph. Dhawan camps on his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 7.4 : 7.4: L Gamage to Rahul, FOUR! Rahul looks elegant when he gets going. Gamage hurls it on a length outside off, the batsman gets nicely forward and drives it through point for a boundary. |
| 10.6 : 10.6: D Shanaka to Dhawan, FOUR! Why is there no mid off, Chandimal? The 'V' is pretty empty and the openers are making use of the opportunity to collect runs from that area. This time, Dhawan shimmies down the track and hits it down the track. The ball wastes no time in going to the fence. |
| 11.6: L Gamage to Dhawan, FOUR! Trashed! Gamage bowls it outside off, Dhawan bashes it through covers for a boundary. On watching the replays, my colleague opines that it looks like a punch-drive that is so well timed. |
| 16.3 : 16.3: S Lakmal to S Dhawan, FOUR! Caressed! Dhawan is timing those sweetly. Lakmal spears it full outside off, the southpaw drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 17.1 : 17.1: D Perera to Rahul, FOUR! Take all the time in the world to set your field, if the bowling is not in the right areas, runs will flow freely. Perera overpitches this outside off, Rahul leans forward and drives it past covers for a boundary. |
| 18.3 : 18.3: S Lakmal to L Rahul, FOUR! He just looks fluid, says Harsha Bhogle on air. That is as apt as it gets. If you see this shot, you'd imagine a liquid flowing on the surface of a table. Fuller outside off, Rahul nicely leans into that and drives it through covers. Gets the result that he desires - a boundary. |
| 18.4 : 18.4: S Lakmal to Rahul, FOUR! Irony! If Rahul was in absolute control of the previous shot, here he is absolutely lucky. Lakmal bowls a straighter line and lands it on a length around off. Rahul's feet go nowhere as he pushes at that from the crease. Fortunately, the inside edge on this occasion takes the ball quickly to the fine leg fence and not onto the stumps. |
| 19.6 : 19.6: D Perera to Rahul, FOUR! Now the confidence is glaringly visible. Time and again he has talked about taking a liking to the spinners and with this shot he has just walked the talk. Uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it all along the ground through the covers for a boundary. Good to see. |
| 20.2 : 20.2: S Lakmal to S Dhawan, FOUR! Now Dhawan gets into the act. Lakmal offers him width from round the wicket, Dhawan is too good to miss out. Cuts it past a diving backward point for a boundary. The trail is down to 28 now. |
| 25.1 : 25.1: D Perera to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan seems to have ample time as he plays this shot. He could well cook himself a meal and hit that on any day. Perera serves it on a shorter length outside off, the southpaw goes back and plays the square cut to perfection. Earns him a boundary. |
| 26.5 : 26.5: R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! This seems to be the celebratory technique from both these batsmen. Rahul did the same after getting to his fifty and now Dhawan does the same. Only difference being Rahul's shot was all along the ground. Dances down the track and decides to take the aerial route over mid off for a one-bounce boundary. The on-field umpire goes upstairs for confirmation and then signals a boundary. |
| 28.6 : 28.6: R Herath to Dhawan, SIX! What a way to erase the deficit and get into the lead! Herath tosses it around middle and leg, Dhawan, for the umpteenth time, makes use of his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and smashes it high and handsome over long on for half a dozen. The first of the innings. INDIA LEAD BY 4! |
| 30.5 : 30.5: R Herath to Dhawan, SIX! Another one, dismissed from his presence. Herath floats this one around middle, Dhawan gets down and slog-sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. My colleague says that he didn't look in control but the result doesn't say so. |
| 31.5: L Gamage to Dhawan, FOUR! Excellent batting. A short ball again, around middle, pulled through square leg all along the ground for a boundary! Moves to 81 from 99 balls. His 9th boundary! |
| 31.6 : 31.6: L Gamage to S Dhawan, FOUR! CRASH! Literally toying. Short and down the leg side, Dhawan pulls it to the fine leg fence! 12 from the over, 23 off the last 2! 150 PARTNERSHIP COMES UP. The lead is now 30. |
| 36.1 : 36.1: D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Into the 90s moves Dhawan! Can he get a century tonight itself? The light is fading pretty quickly and won't be surprised if the light meters are out soon. Full and outside off, Dhawan gets down and sweeps it powerfully over mid-wicket and gets a boundary. The lead is 41 now. |
| 37.1: D Shanaka to Dhawan, OUT! There is a nick! |
| 40.4 : 40.4: S Lakmal to Pujara, FOUR! FABULOUS! First boundary of the day and it has taken just 7 balls. Half volley outside off, Pujara drives it straight past Lakmal's left leg. Dinesh Chandimal gives it a chase to his right from extra cover but is not in the mood to dive. Concedes a boundary. Well, that signals the state of the Lankans at the moment. |
| 41.4: L Gamage to Pujara, FOUR! Fine shot. Not all that short in length, outside off, Pujara goes back and punches it through the covers for a boundary. The lead is now 62. Pujara moves to 11 from 15 balls. |
| 41.5 : 41.5: L Gamage to C Pujara, FOUR! FANTASTIC! Pujara seems to be in the mood today. Gamage overcompensates by bowling this full and the batsman capitalizes. Comes forward and drives it through the covers. Result is the same! The stand is now worth 22 from 28 balls. That is quick. |
| 44.2 : 44.2: S Lakmal to Rahul, OUT! The middle stump takes a morning walk! Lakmal delivers the early break which Sri Lanka wanted this morning. Not the best of deliveries to be honest. Fuller length, around middle and off, Rahul looks to flick but is a bit too early into the shot. Misses the line and the ball hits the pads, deflecting onto the middle stump. Rahul shakes his head. He should have taken some time before playing his shots. Was the century playing on his mind? India are effectively 70/2. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: S Lakmal to Kohli, CATCCHHHHH! FOUR! Why did not Dickwella dive? A good short ball from Lakmal, testing Kohli, landing it around middle and off. Kohli looks to tuck it but he ends up tucking it a bit too finer than his wish. The ball goes close to the wicket-keeper but for some reason Dickwella chooses not to dive. He could have out in the effort, whatever might have been the result. |
| 52.2 : 52.2: S Lakmal to Pujara, OUT! That is indeed a fantastic catch and Pujara has to go! Excellent delivery as well. Banged in short outside off, Pujara looks to fend but the ball keeps on rising. He tries to keep it out but the cherry hits the handle and lobs towards gully. Dilruwan Perera judges it to perfection and dives in front, taking the catches inches above the surface. Pujara does not want to go and the umpires get together. The soft signal is out and replays confirm the same. Brute of a b |
| 52.6 : 52.6: S Lakmal to Rahane, OUT! LBW! The decision stays as it is! Umpire's call it is. A length ball outside off, comes back in a long way, Rahane looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Lakmal appeals, it looks good enough and umpire Wilson raises his finger! Rahane walks over to Kohli and has a long chat. Eventually he decides to review and Hawk Eye shows it to be clipping the top of the stumps, which means umpire's call. India do not lose a review but they do lose R |
| 56.3 : 56.3: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! In the air but safe. It's the Kohli cover drive but there is a man there. So not the wisest of choices. Yet he gets the desired result. The fielder there, Samarawickrama, dives to his left but the ball is well away from him. A boundary it is. |
| 61.2 : 61.2: L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Finally a good shot from Kohli yields him the desired result. Length delivery outside off, Kohli just slaps it through covers. The fielder at deep point hares to his right but is unable to prevent a boundary. |
| 62.1 : 62.1: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! There are many shots in this sport that evoke a sense of joy. The straight drive is one of them. How beautifully designed this shot is. And Kohli emulates it to perfection, even result wise. Bowled in line of the stumps, Kohli leans into it and hits it straight down the ground. The ball is in a hurry to have a meeting with the ropes. |
| 63.6 : 63.6: D Perera to Jadeja, FOUR! Not the best of deliveries bowled by Perera in the game. Fires this one on the pads, Jadeja gets bat to that and helps it to the fine leg fence. The lead moves up to 125. |
| 65.5 : 65.5: D Perera to R Jadeja, OUT! Perera has got this happy knack of picking up wickets in this game and he does so yet again. Jadeja is sent packing. Perera lands it just around off, Jadeja goes back to punch that. The extra bounce on that makes it difficult for Jaddu to execute that shot. Also, he is in no position to withdraw from that shot. Ends up getting an edge, that brushes the keeper's gloves and lobs in front of the slip fielder. Thirimanne goes back to catch that off the original angle |
| 69.3 : 69.3: D Shanaka to Ashwin, FOUR! Ashwin gets going after 9 deliveries. Shanaka bowls it on a length outside off, Ashwin gets forward and opens the face of his bat. Guides the ball past gully where Perera puts in a lazy dive. The ball was away from him though and went to the fence. Hard to understand why isn't an agile fielder in that position. |
| 71.1 : 71.1: L Gamage to V Kohli, FOUR! A genuine edge but results in runs! Gamage hurls it full outside off, Kohli goes for the drive through covers. Gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies through the gap between gully and second slip to go to the fence. Lead swells to 140. Also, this is Kohli's highest score at the Eden Gardens in Tests. |
| 71.6 : 71.6: L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! 15th Test fifty up for the Indian skipper. Raises his bat in acknowledgement and flashes a smile too. He has looked good so far and will look to up the tempo now. This one's full around off, Kohli gets across and flicks it towards fine leg. Nobody is there and a boundary is the outcome. |
| 73.5 : 73.5: D Shanaka to Ashwin, OUT! Ashwin's woodwork is shattered! Lazy, absolutely lazy from Ashwin. He played a loose drive some while ago and got away, doesn't this time. Shanaka bowls a fullish delivery around off, it moved in a bit after pitching. Ashwin looks to drive through the line but fails to account for the movement. Ends up getting the furniture disturbed. He didn't get to the pitch of the ball, if he has to be faulted more. Also, the cracks reported during the pitch report seems to h |
| 79.3 : 79.3: D Shanaka to Saha, OUT! After having a look at the numerous replays on offer, eventually the right decision has been made. Shanaka looks the unlikeliest of the seamers to trouble the batsmen but yet again he is among the wickets. Bowls a gentle length delivery outside off, Saha drives it without much footwork. Hits it to the left of the cover fielder where Samarawickrama dives low to his left to take a good low catch. So swift was the action sequence, no one was aware that it was a wicket. |
| 80.1 : 80.1: S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR. |
| 81.1: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! Glorious, gracious, filled with goodness! Shanaka spears it full outside off, Kohli leans into it and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 82.2 : 82.2: S Lakmal to V Kohli, FOUR! Almost similar to the shot that he played on 81.1. Lakmal, in search of the swing, pitches it up to the batsman outside off. Kohli leans and just opens the face of the bat as he drives that. Gets it a bit squarer than the last boundary. Interesting to note that in spite of the new cherry, there's no swing available. |
| 82.5 : 82.5: S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! 300 up for India! This straight drive from Kohli almost took the umpire with it. Fuller around off and middle, Virat drives it straight back. The umpire has to take evasive action as he jumps to his left. Narrowly misses the ball otherwise he would have ended helping Sri Lanka. Boundary it is. Lead - 179. |
| 83.3 : 83.3: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! The ODI Kohli is on show here. On middle and leg, Kohli clips it through backward square leg. The fine leg fielder gets to his left, dives but is unable to prevent the boundary. |
| 83.5 : 83.5: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! And another one. Shanaka bowls it around off and middle, Virat makes use of his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and hits it through mid-wicket for another boundary. Declaration on the cards, clearly. |
| 84.3 : 84.3: S Lakmal to Kumar, FOUR! Brilliant Bhuvi! Sri Lanka would have been happy to have Kumar on strike till this point. There is no respite from the other end as well as Kumar punches this delivery off his back foot through covers for a boundary. |
| 85.4 : 85.4: L Gamage to Kumar, OUT! The declaration batting has brought and end to Kumar's stay at the crease. Actually speaking, it is a needless shot as Kumar should just give the strike back to Kohli. Instead he takes the onus of scoring runs upon him. Sri Lanka realize the tactics and Gamage bowls it short. Kumar looks to pull it and gets a top edge. The ball flies high and comes down to Perera who moves a couple of steps to his left from second slip. India's lead remains on 199! |
| 86.4: S Lakmal to Kohli, SIX! Ho ho ho! Audacious Kohli! Boy, is Eden alive! Magnificent batting. Jumps down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball, converting the length one into a half volley and lofts it over extra cover for a biggie! Test mode converted into ODI mode and now a T20 one! Moves to 92. |
| 87.4: L Gamage to Shami, FOUR! Shami into the act now! A short ball around off, Shami pulls it in the air, miscues a bit but gets it into the gap, wide of the man at mid-wicket for a boundary! |
| 87.6 : 87.6: L Gamage to Shami, FOUR! Excellent placement. A short ball in line of the stumps, Shami swivels and just help-pulls it behind square leg for a boundary. 11 from the over, 22 off the last 2! |
| 88.4 : 88.4: S Lakmal to Kohli, SIX! 50TH INTERNATIONAL HUNDRED FOR VIRAT KOHLI! He wanted this badly. The crowd is on its feet and so is the dressing room but Kohli is animated. This has not been his best ground in Test cricket and he wanted to prove his detractors wrong. Sashays down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over cover for a flat six. He then runs further down the pitch, getting to the other end, goes on one knee and pumps his fist in the air! That is called the 'Love for |
| 0.6 : 0.6: B Kumar to Samarawickrama, OUT! Chopped on! 1 down, 9 to go! Nerves...nerves... that is what these are. Sri Lanka have to see off around one and some sessions, that is why this shot. Landed wide outside off, could have been left alone but Samarawickrama chooses to feel for it and only drags it back onto the stumps. Sri Lanka 1 down and there will be some jitters in that dressing room... |
| 3.3 : 3.3: M Shami to Karunaratne, OUT! Another one is played on! India have two, need 8 more in 43.3 overs, if light permits! Mirror image of Samarawickrama's dismissal. Landed outside off, Karunaratne shuffles across and looks to push away from the body. Mirrors don't lie. That is a bad shot and you need to pay for it. Off goes Karunaratne. Eden erupts. |
| 5.1 : 5.1: M Shami to Mathews, FOUR! Dead silence in the crowd. A nothing ball, down the leg side, fuller in length, Mathews clips it to the fine leg fence. |
| 7.5 : 7.5: U Yadav to Thirimanne, FOUR! Uppish but in the gap. Full and outside off, Thirimanne leans and drives it through cover-point for a boundary. Even in the first innings, Umesh used to follow a good ball with a loosener. |
| 8.1 : 8.1: B Kumar to L Thirimanne, OUT! Edged and taken! 7 more needed from 38.5 overs remaining in the day. The length is perfect, between full and good but the line is not the most dangerous. It is well outside off and Thirimanne could have left it alone. But he pokes at it and ends up nicking to third slip where Ajinkya Rahane gulps it with ease. |
| 11.4 : 11.4: U Yadav to Mathews, FOUR! Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a boundary! |
| 11.5 : 11.5: U Yadav to Mathews, OUT! LBW! Surprise, Surprise! Hard to say how that has been reversed. But Hawk Eye is showing it is plumb. It was a length ball, around off and Mathews was in the air, when he was trying to play the flick shot. One could see the middle and off stumps and to the naked eye, it seemed like it will miss leg stump. Accordingly the umpire shook his head and Kohli asked his keeper before signalling for the review. And lo! Hawk Eye shows it to be hitting leg! Kohli is pumped up |
| 13.6 : 13.6: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Controlled. Full and outside off, Chandimal leans and opens the face of the bat. Gets it past third slip and the ball runs down to the fence. |
| 14.1 : 14.1: M Shami to Dickwella, SIX! Not in control. A short ball on middle, Dickwella is forced into the pull but his eyes are closed when he plays that shot. The timing takes the ball over backward square leg! |
| 14.3 : 14.3: M Shami to Dickwella, SIX! NO BALL! But do you know for what? Dickwella plays an atrocious shot. Gets across his stumps and then scoop-flicks it over square leg! And then the umpire signals a no ball. Well, it is because Dickwella has pointed it out to the square leg umpire, who is standing at point, that there are three men behind square on the leg side! That is called, knowing the rules! There was a backward square leg, a fine leg and a leg gully. |
| 15.4 : 15.4: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Down the leg side, Chandimal gets it fine enough and beats Shami from fine leg. |
| 16.3 : 16.3: M Shami to Dickwella, FOUR! Nicely done. On a length around off, Dickwella waits for the ball to come and then dabs it to third man. This stand is pretty counter-attacking. |
| 17.6 : 17.6: B Kumar to Chandimal, FOUR! Another boundary. Landed outside off, Chandimal comes forward and with deft soft hands, guides it past third slip to the third man fence. The stand moves to 40 from 38 balls. |
| 19.5 : 19.5: R Jadeja to N Dickwella, FOUR! Shot! Nicely played. Jadeja floats it outside off, Dickwella drives it powerfully through covers. The fielder there dives but it is far from him. How good the outfield has been, as it just speeds to the fence. |
| 20.4 : 20.4: Shami to D Chandimal, OUT! Timber! The Eden Garden erupts. Shami is ecstatic and why not! It is a peach of a delivery to end the 47-run stand that came in 53 balls. Shami hurls a fuller delivery around off, it swings in even before pitching and then goes on with the angle. Chandimal looks to flick it away but gets a faint inside edge owing to the movement. Ends up shattering the stumps. If I'm good at reading expressions, the Lankan skipper's look suggests as if his new car has been banged |
| 23.1 : 23.1: B Kumar to Dickwella, OUT! LBW! The umpire's call stays! The Indians are pumped up as they have finally seen the back of Dickwella. Kumar comes round the wicket and bowls it on a length around off. Dickwella looks to flick but misses and wears it on the front pad. The Indians put in a celebratory appeal which is agreed by the umpire. Dickwella chooses for the DRS. It shows that the ball would have clipped the top of off stump. The on-field call stays though the Lankans retain their review. |
| 24.3 : 24.3: M Shami to Shanaka, FOUR! Well timed! Fuller around off and middle, Shanaka clips it past mid-wicket. There's nobody in the deep who'll prevent the boundary. |
| 25.2 : 25.2: B Kumar to D Perera, OUT! Jaffa! Perera's stumps have gone for a roll! Kumar drops it on a length around off, Perera plays down the wrong line. Ends up missing the ball completely which strikes the stumps down. The crowd's noise is deafening. India crawl closer now. |
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