| 0.3 : 0.3: I Sharma to S Samarawickrama, FOUR! First runs on the board, courtesy a boundary! Samarawickrama would breathe a bit more easy after getting that away as openers generally love to get off the mark as soon as they can. This is bowled on a fuller length outside off, Samarawickrama strides forward and drives it through covers. Jadeja dives to his right yet is unable to prevent the ball from running away to the fence. |
| 1.2 : 1.2: U Yadav to Karunaratne, FOUR! Magnificent shot that. The balance that Karunaratne maintained there was just perfect. Yadav hurls in a very full inswinger around off and middle, Dimuth had to get his bat down quickly. Does so and times the flick through mid-wicket perfectly. The ball speeds away to the fence in not time. |
| 4.5 : 4.5: I Sharma to Samarawickrama, OUT! Excellent catch by Pujara at first slip! Samarawickrama doesn't stop playing away from the body and pays the price yet again. In the previous game it resulted in him playing on, and now, he offers a catch to the slip cordon. Ishant bowls it on a driving length outside off, Sadeera is lured into the shot. Plays at it with minimal feet movement and gets a thicks outside edge. The ball goes low to the left of Cheteshwar at first slip who gets low and grabs it |
| 8.3 : 8.3: I Sharma to Karunaratne, FOUR! Shot! The straight drives is one of the glorious shots to watch in the sport and here it is. Sharma lands it on a fuller length around off, Karunaratne gets his front foot forward a bit and just times his push down the ground perfectly. Ishant tries to stop it in his followthrough but is unable to do so. A boundary results. |
| 24.6 : 24.6: R Ashwin to Thirimanne, OUT! Bowled 'em! Ashwin strikes for the first time in the series. The Indians have broken the stubborn stand at last. Ashwin tosses it up outside off, Thirimanne sinks low to sweep this one but the ball doesn't turn. It skids off the surface, beats the outside part of the bat and crashes into the timber behind. Lahiru wasn't looking comfortable and now has to walk back without troubling the scorers much. |
| 27.5 : 27.5: R Jadeja to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Well played. Why look for unconventional shots when the orthodox ones fetch you runs? Jadeja offers it outside off, Karunaratne drives it through wide mid off. Vijay runs after it and puts in the slide but takes the ball with him on the other side of the ropes. |
| 28.3 : 28.3: R Ashwin to Mathews, FOUR! Lucky, very lucky is Mathews here! Ashwin bowls it flatter outside off, Angelo looks to play the cut. Gets an under edge that bounces just short of Rahane's left hand and runs away to the third man fence. Could have easily chopped it on. |
| 28.4 : 28.4: R Ashwin to Mathews, FOUR! Much better and very much in control. Mathews is a good player of spin and he takes the aerial route on this occasion. Takes it on the up and hits it over mid on. Almost goes the distance. The umpire on-field isn't sure and hence goes upstairs to check whether it is a four or a six. Replays shows that it bounces just in front of the ropes. |
| 29.6 : 29.6: Jadeja to Mathews, OUT! Mathews departs! Jadeja bowls it from round the wicket and lands it around off. Mathews strides forward and looks to block. But the ball goes straight on and strikes him on the front pad. The Indians appeal and the umpire signals in affirmative. Mathews has a chat with Karunaratne and then signals a 'T'. Snicko doesn't show the presence of an edge as the bat and the pad are well away from each other and the ball was far from the inside edge too. Hawk eye shows that |
| 32.2 : 32.2: R Ashwin to Chandimal, SIX. |
| 41.5 : 41.5: R Jadeja to Karunaratne, FOUR! Commanding shot that! Jadeja serves it fuller around off, Karunaratne moves across the stumps and chips it aerially over mid-wicket for a boundary. He has got a couple of lives and has also survived some close calls but he's making the most of them and playing well here. |
| 42.6 : 42.6: U Yadav to Karunaratne, FOUR! Karunaratne is looking in good touch and now moves into the 40s. Fuller outside off, Dimuth strides forward and drives it with pristine timing through covers for a boundary. |
| 43.5 : 43.5: R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal does what he does best - attack. Jadeja loops it up around leg, the batsman gets down and dishes out the sweep shot. Gets it through backward square leg for a boundary. On first look, it seemed as if he missed the ball with that shot. |
| 44.4 : 44.4: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! 3000 Test runs for Chandimal! What an authoritative stroke to get there. Length delivery outside off, Chandimal dishes out the cover drive. Ashwin from mid off runs after it but stands no chance of cutting it off with his speed. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: I Sharma to Karunaratne, FOUR! Shot! And the 50-run stand comes up between the two! Sri Lankan innings coming back on track? Ishant goes around the wicket and offers ample with outside off. Dimuth stands tall and cuts it exquisitely through backward point for a boundary. Moves to 49 now! |
| 50.6 : 50.6: I Sharma to Karunaratne, OUT lbw b Ishant Sharma. Sri Lanka have lost their fourth wicket. |
| 52.2 : 52.2: I Sharma to Dickwella, FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length delivery outside off, Dickwella stands tall and packs a punch behind point for a boundary. No protection in the deep and he gets going now! |
| 56.1 : 56.1: U Yadav to Dickwella, FOUR! How effortless was that? Yadav bowls a length delivery outside off, Niroshan reaches out to that one and drives it square of the wicket on the off side. Connects it off the meat and is able to split the gap through point to pick up another boundary. |
| 57.2 : 57.2: R Jadeja to Dickwella, FOUR! Slapped powerfully! Jadeja drops it short outside off, Dickwella makes room and flays it through covers. Pujara gives it a chase but never for a moment it seemed like he would cut that one off. |
| 58.2: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Classical from Dinesh! Umesh serves a half-volley on off, Chandimal takes a little stride forward and drives it neatly off the middle of the bat. Has enough to beat mid off and race away to the fence down the ground. Moves into the 40s now. |
| 58.4 : 58.4: U Yadav to D Chandimal, FOUR! What a fabulous shot that is! Yadav once again ends up bowling it a bit too full outside off. The Lankan skipper leans into it and drills it through the covers. No need to run for those. |
| 59.4: R Ashwin to N Dickwella, FOUR! Not expected from Jadeja - a misfield. Dickwella smashes it towards him at covers, he gets to his right but fails to stop it despite the dive. Before he can recover and retrieve the ball, it makes contact with the fence. |
| 60.6 : 60.6: Jadeja to N Dickwella, OUT! Dickwella commits a blunder! Tries to take Jadeja on but the move doesn't pay off. He floats it around off, the wicketkeeper-batsman charges down the track and looks to go big on the on side. Ends up getting a leading edge which makes the ball go a long way up in the air. Ishant settles under it at mid off and pouches it safely. Once more Niroshan has failed to make his start count. Sri Lanka lose half their side now. |
| 65.2 : 65.2: Ashwin to D Shanaka, OUT! Timber! Shanaka's forgetful outing with the bat continues. Just a while back Sanjay Manjrekar was comparing the non-turning deliveries of Ashwin and Jadeja and here is the former striking with the one that doesn't spin. Continues round the wicket to Dasun and lands it around off. Shanaka goes back to play for the turn that is absent. Finds that the off stump is pegged back. Looks like a darts session where the bull's eye has been hit through the only visible area, |
| 68.4 : 68.4: R Jadeja to Perera, SIX! Hello, oh hello! Forgetting what happened a delivery ago, Dilruwan decides to take on the bowler. Jadeja floats it around off, Perera slinks down the wicket and hits it straight over the bowler's head. Clean as a whistle. This is his 12th six this year, second in the list of most biggies hit. |
| 70.4: R Jadeja to Perera, OUT! Jadeja gets his man! This is as easy a decision can get. Jadeja fires this at 90kmph on a length around off. Perera goes back to clip it away to the leg side but gets beaten for pace. The ball hits him on the front pad which is right in front of the stumps. The umpire gives him marching orders. Yet he has a talk with his skipper and opts for the UDRS. Ball tracker returns three reds to end Perera's stay at the crease. He takes a review with him, too. |
| 71.3 : 71.3: R Ashwin to Chandimal, OUT! India use the review system to their advantage now to see the back of the Sri Lankan skipper. Chandimal falls for an atrocious shot, which he would be rueing in the dressing room. Ashwin loops it up around off, Dinesh gets down and misses his reverse sweep attempt. The ball strikes him on the right pad. India appeal but the umpire doesn't think that's out. Ashwin knows he has his man. Asks about the impact to Saha and then says that he himself feels it's very cl |
| 72.2 : 72.2: R Jadeja to Lakmal, FOUR! Of all the ways and areas to get runs, this is one! Jadeja serves it around middle and leg, Lakmal looks to go inside out. Gets a thick inner edge and the ball rolls through his legs into the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 74.6 : 74.6: R Jadeja to Lakmal, FOUR! Lakmal decides to use the long handle and it comes off in this instance. Clears his front leg and smashes it through wide mid on. Ishant runs to his right but fails to prevent the boundary. Maybe had he dived, things could have been different. |
| 76.1 : 76.1: R Jadeja to Lakmal, FOUR! Takes the aerial route and it nearly goes the distance! Jadeja serves it full around middle, Lakmal clears the front leg and goes bang over wide mid on. The ball just bounced before going into the boundary rope. |
| 78.4 : 78.4: I Sharma to Lakmal, FOUR! Lakmal is playing handy innings. Back of a length delivery on middle, Lakmal stands tall and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. How long can he throw his bat around? |
| 78.6 : 78.6: I Sharma to Lakmal, OUT! Yes, there's and edge and Lakmal starts to walk back. Brilliant bowling this from Ishant Sharma. It's his third of the match. He hurls a length delivery outside off, Lakmal stays back to defend but the ball straightens a touch, takes a faint outside edge and settles into the mitts of Saha behind. India are on course to bowl the Lanka out today itself. |
| 79.1 : 79.1: R Ashwin to R Herath, OUT! And Ashwin wraps it up! 4-fer to him and a much satisfying performance from him, considering that he went wicket-less in the last game. Sticks to around the wicket and nicely loops it up outside off. Herath comes forward to run it down but ends up guiding it straight into the hands of Rahane at first slip. SRI LANAK BOWLED OUT FOR 205! |
| 0.1 : 0.1: S Lakmal to Rahul, FOUR! Fine start to the innings! A half volley dished up to the batsman, Rahul comes forward, covers the outswing nicely and drives it through mid off. As seen in the last game, there is no man in that position and it is a boundary! |
| 3.5 : 3.5: L Gamage to Rahul, OUT! Dragged on! Lahiru Gamage strikes! He bowled exceedingly well in the U.A.E but looked out of sorts in the first Test. And now he draws first blood today. Serves a length delivery, a bit wide outside off. KL Rahul could have left it alone but for some reason tries to play it away from the body. Like the way Sadeera Samarawickrama did in the second innings of the first Test. Gets a thick inside edge and the middle stump is disturbed. Rahul is guilty for playing it away |
| 8.1 : 8.1: S Lakmal to M Vijay, FOUR! Vijay doesn't need second invitation. Such a confident looking shot that is. My colleague just reminded me that, KL Rahul began the Indian innings with a boundary and today Vijay does the same off the first ball of the day. Lakmal offers it full and a bit wide outside off, Murali leans ahead and presents full face of the bat to pierce it through covers. It races away to the fence in a jiffy. |
| 11.5 : 11.5: L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! Glorious! Touch fuller outside off, Vijay sees this as another opportunity to score. Presses forward a tad and caresses it through the gap in the covers for a boundary. |
| 13.4 : 13.4: R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! Good use of the feet. Gavaskar on-air wants to see more of that. While doing the pitch report this morning he emphasized on the same thing. The more you use the feet, the more successful you will be. Herath tosses it on the stumps, it dips in as well. Pujara dances down the track, takes it on the full and flicks it neatly through square leg for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : 16.6: S Lakmal to Pujara, FOUR! Nicely done! Fuller in length, angling in on the pads, Pujara flicks it towards mid on. Herath the man there tries to stop it with a dive but by the time he did the ball already went past him. A boundary results. 27 runs have already been scored this morning off the 9 overs bowled. |
| 26.2 : 26.2: D Shanaka to M Vijay, FOUR! Width outside off - tick. A stride forward - tick. Drive - tick. Glorious shot - tick. Vijay has looked gracious and confident today with his front foot drives and does so yet again. Length ball outside off, driven confidently through covers for a boundary. |
| 26.5 : 26.5: D Shanaka to Vijay, FOUR! Once again! Vijay and the wonderful drives is a wonderful love story. Shanaka delivers a full ball outside off, Vijay leans forward and strokes it through covers for another boundary. Moves to 34 now. |
| 28.1 : 28.1: D Perera to Vijay, FOUR! Change the bowler, Vijay will still play the drive to get the desired results. Often a sign of how comfortable a batsman is, is evident from how his feet moves. Perera tosses this wide outside off, Vijay gets his stride out and drives it graciously through covers for a boundary. |
| 30.2 : 30.2: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! The aim of both these batters is to not let the spinners settle down. They arent't shy of using their feet to the spinners. Pujara does so and clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. That went all along the ground to the fence. |
| 32.4 : 32.4: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Good use of the depth of the crease. Pujara goes deep and punches it through covers off the back foot. It is so well timed that it speeds away to the fence. |
| 33.1 : 33.1: D Shanaka to M Vijay, FOUR! 16th Test half century for Murali Vijay! He hit the first delivery of the day to the fence and gets to his milestone now with another. Shanaka bowls it fuller outside off. Vijay's wrists come into play as he plays the on drive to take the ball past mid on. The next destination of the cherry is the fence. The monk has played a good knock. Typical. Watchful at the start, free-flowing as he progresses. |
| 34.4 : 34.4: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Doesn't matter what has happened the previous day, you've to live every day afresh. This philosophy of life equally applies to sport. Even though he was in trouble a ball before, Pujara uses his feet to shimmy down the track. Gets to the pitch of the delivery and punch-drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 41.4: L Gamage to Vijay, FOUR! Down the ground! Even the 100 is up for the hosts! Pitched up outside off, Vijay drills it back down the track. Was in the air but safely races away past mid on for a boundary. |
| 47.2 : 47.2: S Lakmal to Pujara, FOUR! Shot! Looks good when the batsman rides the bounce! Lakmal once again shortens his length, Pujara stands tall and nails the back foot punch through point and picks up a boundary. |
| 50.3 : 50.3: R Herath to Vijay, SIX! Down the track and away she goes! High and handsome! Herath gives it loop, lands it outside off, Vijay dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over long off for the first maximum of this innings. |
| 53.3: S Lakmal to Pujara, FOUR! Boom! It's struck powerfully by Pujara! Lakmal serves a gently half-volley outside off, Pujara leans a bit and bashes it right through cover-point for a boundary. On 49 now! |
| 54.5 : 54.5: D Perera to Vijay, FOUR! Wow! Vijay didn't look in control of that shot yet gets a boundary. Perera drops it just outside leg. Vijay gets down and pulls out the reverse paddle. Seems like he got it off the top edge of the bat as the ball rolls over Mathews at slip and rolls away to the third man fence. |
| 55.2 : 55.2: D Shanaka to Vijay, FOUR! Shot! 150 up for India, trail down to 55! Length delivery outside off, the opener got the width that he wanted. Guides it past backward point for a boundary. Vijay moves into the 90s with this. |
| 56.4 : 56.4: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Perera isn't going through a nice spell already and this boundary adds salt to his wounds. He fires it flatter down leg, Pujara gets down and paddles it to the fine leg fence. The trail down to 49 now! |
| 64.4: L Gamage to Pujara, FOUR! A surprise short delivery doesn't catch Pujara by surprise entirely. It is bowled around Pujara's left shoulder, he swivels and tries to pull it. Gets it off his gloves as he didn't seem in control of that. The ball goes down to the fine leg fence on a couple of bounces. The trail comes down to 21 now! |
| 68.2 : 68.2: D Perera to Vijay, FOUR! Deft! The last time Vijay tried to play the reverse sweep he got a top edge! Angles it away from around the wicket, Murali Vijay gets into the position and deftly connects the reverse sweep. Beats Mathews at first slip and races down to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 73.2: R Herath to Vijay, FOUR! 200-run stand is up between the two now! These two have looked so settled now and it seems like you throw anything at him, they will remain unscathed. A rare blip from Herath, he drops it short and to add to it, it's on the pads. Vijay makes full use of it as he flicks it powerfully through mid-wicket to earn a boundary. |
| 75.3 : 75.3: R Herath to Vijay, OUT! Tame, tame dismissal that! Murali Vijay departs on a full toss and he is down on the ground and doesn't want to leave the field. But Sri Lanka rejoice, they have picked up a wicket at least today and who else has provided the breakthrough? It's Herath! He bowls a loopy full toss on middle and leg, Vijay gets down to sweep but gets a top edge instead. The ball goes straight into the hands of Perera at short fine leg who takes the catch this time. The mammoth 209-run |
| 76.2 : 76.2: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Easily done! Fuller on the stumps, Pujara advances down the track and drives it back down the ground through mid on for a boundary. |
| 77.3 : 77.3: R Herath to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli is off the mark! Fuller on leg, Virat just uses his powerful wrists and gets it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 79.3: D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! That's sizzled away says Manjrekar on-air! Perera overpitches it on middle, Kohli clears the front leg and smashes it straight down the ground for a boundary. |
| 81.1 : 81.1: R Herath to Kohli, FOUR! He has drilled that one! Tossed up outside off, Kohli makes room and absolutely nails the drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 83.4 : 83.4: S Lakmal to Pujara, FOUR! Not this time! Pujara doesn't let the fielder come into play here. Fuller delivery around middle and leg, Pujara flicks it away with the angle. The ball rolls towards the deep mid-wicket fence, leaving no chance for Gamage to come close to that. 250 up for India, while Lakmal too concedes 50 runs observed my colleague. |
| 89.3 : 89.3: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! What's the point of having so many fielders on the boundary, if you are to concede runs even then. This is wasting the new ball that's about 9 overs old. Perera serves this around off and middle, Pujara gets down and sweeps it to the fine leg fence. |
| 90.1 : 90.1: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! Shot! The balance that Kohli maintained in playing was just perfect. Shanaka bowls it on a length in line of the stumps, Virat hops up and just pushes it through mid-wicket. The timing is so good that the ball goes to the fence. Lead goes to 79! |
| 91.2 : 91.2: D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! In the air but safe! Dilruwan loops it up around off, Pujara skips down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket. It was a touch aerial and not too far from the leaping fielder there. Goes away to the fence in no time. India lead by 84 now. |
| 95.1 : 95.1: D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! 300 up for India! This morning we saw Vijay play such a drive and here is Kohli now. Perera should be bowling it in and around off. But he tosses it up very wide outside off, Kohli reaches out and drives it through covers. Like the office goers rush to go home after work, the ball speeds away to the fence. India lead by 97! |
| 97.4 : 97.4: D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Earlier we were talking on the lines of Kohli being in absolute command against spinners. This one drives home the point. Well, it's a full toss and most batters wouldn't miss out on this. Kohli flicks it through mid-wicket and helps himself to a boundary. |
| 100.1 : 100.1: L Gamage to Kohli, FOUR! Stats show that the cover drive has been Kohli's most productive shot against pacers in Tests since 2014. But if you follow the man though, you won't need the stats to show which his favourite shot is. Gamage serves it fuller outside off, Virat leans forward and drives it gloriously through covers past the diving fielder there for a boundary. |
| 109.5 : 109.5: R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! Confusion between Perera and Karunaratne results in a boundary for Pujara and India. Pujara drives it through cover-point. The former fielder from covers and the latter from point run after the ball. Both put in the slide but ends up colliding and none manages to stop the ball. Brings up 3000 TEST RUNS FOR PUJARA IN INDIA. He's the 10th Indian to do so, being the quickest to the mark - in 53 innings. |
| 112.3 : 112.3: S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Glorious! Fuller outside off, Kohli takes his front foot to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers. Finds the real eastate between covers and mid off and gets a boundary. |
| 112.5 : 112.5: S Lakmal to V Kohli, FOUR! What happened there? Lakmal bangs it short around middle, Kohli goes for the pull. Gets beaten for pace and before he can complete the shot, the ball goes off something to the fine leg fence. Runs signaled by the umpire. Replays show that it came off the handle of his bat and that's what he was seen pointing to the umpire. |
| 116.6 : 116.6: S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Wayward delivery and duly punished! Brings up the 150-run stand as well! Hold on, seems like Gamage has done some damage to his right knee in fielding that. Length delivery on the pads, clipped fine down the leg side. Lahiru runs to his right in the deep, dives but his right knee gets stuck on the ground and the ball rolls away to the fence for a boundary. Kohli moves on to 98! |
| 122.2 : 122.2: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! Easy peasy! Shanaka drifts it fuller on the pads, where Kohli likes. He leans across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. No need to run for those. |
| 123.1 : 123.1: D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Beats the dive of the man at mid off! Perera drops it short and outside off, Kohli goes back and punches it down the ground. Not sure who the fielder was, he dives but to no avail. The ball races down towards the long off fence. |
| 124.5 : 124.5: D Shanaka to Pujara, OUT! Perfect toe-crusher! What a ball and Shanaka is up and running. He has breached Pujara's defense and has got every reason to smile now. He comes steaming in and fires in a perfect yorker at the base of the stumps and gets it to tail back in a touch. Cheteshwar wasn't expecting this and all of a sudden tries to jam it out but seems to have gotten beaten for pace and sees the woodwork being disturbed. The 183-run stand comes to an end, India lead by 194! |
| 126.5: D Shanaka to Kohli, FOUR! School boy error from Chandimal, this! A loopy full toss, dipping in on middle and off, Kohli drives it towards mid on. Chandimal gets across, bends low but lets the ball through his legs. Herath chases it from mid off but to no avail as the ball goes for a boundary. Agreed, he got a bad bounce but the basic rule of fielding is to get that body behind the ball. Not acceptable at all. |
| 129.4 : 129.4: D Perera to Rahane, OUT! Ajinkya Rahane has frittered another opportunity to get among the runs away! In the previous over we saw a puff of dust come off the pitch, meaning it would be conducive to the spinners. Perera offers width outside off, Ajinkya goes back to cut it. The extra bounce makes it difficult for him to control that and ends up offering an easy catch to Karunaratne at backward point who just has to take a couple of steps to his right. The umpires go upstairs to check for t |
| 129.5 : 129.5: D Perera to R Sharma, FOUR! Test cricket is pretty easy, Rohit Sharma would feel. Faces the red ball in a game situation after considerable time and hits it for a boundary immediately. Perera offers it full outside off, Rohit drives it through covers. Karunaratne gives it a valiant chase, puts in the slide as well. It is referred upstairs and is seen that he is in contact with the ropes and the ball simultaneously. |
| 134.1 : 134.1: S Lakmal to Kohli, FOUR! Talk about intent, it's written in bold letters all over this one. Lakmal bowls the first delivery of his spell on a length around off. Kohli charges down the track and smashes it over mid off. The ball almost goes the distance. A one-bounce boundary results. Probably he wanted it to go all the way, as his expression suggests. |
| 135.6 : 135.6: D Perera to Sharma, SIX! Hello! First game in this format after a long time? Chance of being a bit rusty? Put all those talks to trash just like Rohit has put the ball out of the playing area. Perera floats it around off, the six-hitting machine skips down the track and hits it high and handsome over long on for half a dozen. |
| 136.3 : 136.3: S Lakmal to R Sharma, FOUR! Lucky, very lucky is Rohit with this one! Lakmal angles it on a length around off, the ball comes in a touch after pitching. Rohit looks to push it to the off side away from the body. Gets an inside edge just past the leg stump and into the fine leg fence. |
| 139.2 : 139.2: D Perera to Kohli, SIX! Virat Kohli gets to 150 in style - his 7th score over that mark. He has looked commanding and seems unstoppable as far as the Lankans are concerned. Perera tosses it invitingly around off, Kohli accepts the offer and shimmies down the track to hit it over long on. Shanaka at that position leaps high but is unable to get a hand to that. A biggie results. The shot was all about his wrists. He revels in the occasion with a smile. The crowd cheers to celebrate their fa |
| 143.2: R Herath to Sharma, FOUR! Kaboom! 50-run stand comes up in no time! Herath flights it up outside off, seeing this Rohit decides to go after it. Skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and goes bang down the ground for a one bounce boundary. Such a good player for spin he is. |
| 143.5 : 143.5: R Herath to Sharma, FOUR! And again! Effortless is the correct term if you ask me to describe this shot! More flight around middle and leg, Sharma dances down the track and just chips it nonchalantly over mid-wicket for another boundary. Signs of declaration? |
| 145.5: R Herath to Sharma, FOUR! Why to run and sweat out when you can hit a boundary, says Rohit Sharma! Fuller and around the pads, Sharma chips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 158.3 : 158.3: D Shanaka to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli has switched on his coloured-clothing cricket mode. Shanaka bowls it a touch fuller around off, Virat stays in the crease and lifts it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 160.4 : 160.4: D Shanaka to Sharma, FOUR! Authoritative! A short delivery at 125kmph is never going to trouble a set batsman. Rohit hangs on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Probably Dasun is tiring here. |
| 162.5 : 162.5: S Lakmal to R Sharma, FOUR! Rohit is very strong with the pull shot and this shot proves why. Lakmal bent his back to deliver this, the Indian batsman picks the length early. Stays on the back foot and hits it through backward square leg. The fielder at fine leg had to rush to his left but had no chance of stopping that. A boundary it is. |
| 165.5: D Perera to Kohli, SIX! Brilliantly played! Perera tosses this around off and middle, Kohli charges down and whips it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The lead goes to 351 now as Kohli moves into 190s! |
| 168.2 : 168.2: L Gamage to V Kohli, FOUR! Never satiated with runs, is he? Gets another bad delivery, doesn't let it go unpunished. Gamage hurls it full outside off, Kohli gets forward and drives it through wide mid off for a boundary. |
| 169.4 : 169.4: D Perera to Kohli, FOUR! Even a lazy shot fetches Kohli a boundary, such has been the day for him today. Perera tosses it around middle and leg, Virat dashes out a lousy-looking reverse sweep. Middles that too and gets it to the third man fence. |
| 169.5 : 169.5: D Perera to Kohli, OUT! Is it a tired shot? An over-ambitious shot? Over-confident? Neither, maybe it's a shot that was played more to score quickly than any of the above. Who has the wicket? Dilruwan Perera. He tosses it up around off, Virat charges down and looks to go big downtown. Ends up getting more height than distance. Thirimanne at long on has the eyes on the ball like a hawk and pouches it safely. The Indian skipper knew it as soon as he hit it that he hadn't hit it right. Walk |
| 173.5: D Perera to R Ashwin, OUT! Bowled 'em! Perera may have given aplenty but he has picked up his third wicket and is one short of picking up 100 wickets in Tests! Fires in a yorker at 83 kph, Ashwin tries to jam it out but it's too good for him. Gets beaten and sees the off stick pegged back. India continue to bat as they now lead by 392 runs! |
| 175.3 : 175.3: D Perera to Sharma, FOUR! Bang! Perera tosses it up outside off, Sharma advances down the track and goes bang down the ground for a boundary. Moves to 96 now! |
| 0.2 : 0.2: I Sharma to Samarawickrama, OUT! Castled! An error in judgement? Maybe! Ishant Sharma drops it on a length outside off and this one nips back in after pitching. Samarawickrama doesn't account for the inward movement. Tries to shoulder his arms as the ball curls back in and goes on to hit the stumps. He can't believe what just happened and slowly walks off. Smiles all around in the Indian camp. Sri Lanka 1 down with no runs on the board. |
| 0.5 : 0.5: I Sharma to Thirimanne, FOUR! Sri Lanka are away! Ishant sprays one down the leg side, Lahiru moves inside the line and gets enough bat to send it across the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 0.6 : 0.6: I Sharma to Thirimanne, FOUR! Edged and through! Back of a length delivery, angling away from the southpaw, Thirimanne looks to clip it away but gets a leading edge as the ball flies safely through the gully region for a boundary. 8 from the over and a wicket too! Perfect start for India. |
| 1.3 : 1.3: R Ashwin to Karunaratne, FOUR! Shot! Loopy delivery outside off, Karunaratne dills it through mid off and gets going. |
| 2.4 : 2.4: I Sharma to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Fuller and coming back in a bit, Karunaratne flicks it but the bat turns in his hands. Still gets it wide of the man at mid on and picks up a boundary. |
| 10.1 : 10.1: I Sharma to Karunaratne, FOUR! Not an ideal way to start the day! But Karunaratne won't mind it at all! Sharma comes from over the wicket and drops it on a length on the pads. Dimuth moves inside the line and clips it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 11.3 : 11.3: R Ashwin to Thirimanne, FOUR! Ahh... shot! Thirimanne doesn't care how many times Ashwin has dismissed him. He sees the flight this time and decides to cash in on it. Shimmies down a touch, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over mid off. Nearly goes the distance. Well played! |
| 15.2 : 15.2: R Jadeja to D Karunaratne, OUT! India have struck early this morning! The bowling change has done the trick for Kohli here but credit to Vijay for being alert here. Jadeja lands it around middle, it spins back in. Karunaratne isn't to the pitch of the ball but still goes on with the clip. Gets it off the inner half and it goes straight to forward short leg who crouches and takes it. In fact, it hits him on the stomach but he manages to cling onto that one. These kind of catches are never e |
| 19.6 : 19.6: R Jadeja to Mathews, SIX! What a way to get off the mark! This should get him going. Tossed up outside off, Mathews gets down and fetches it from outside off. He has got so much power behind the shot that it easily sails over the long on fence for a biggie all way. |
| 20.4 : 20.4: U Yadav to Thirimanne, OUT! Straight to Jadeja! That's a poor shot to be honest. Umesh Yadav picks up his first wicket of the Test match. He serves a full ball, sprayed wider outside off. Thirimanne could have left that alone but for some reason he tries to go after it. Looks to drive it away from the body but ends up slicing it straight to Jadeja at backward point who accepts a dolly. There's a reason Lahiru Thirimanne has the WORST batting average amongst top 6 Lankan batsmen in Tests, m |
| 20.6 : 20.6: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal is off the mark! Fuller and curling back in on middle, Chandimal flicks it uppishly through square leg. Gets away with that one and picks up a boundary to his name. Umesh wouldn't mind this. Excellent over from the pacer. |
| 22.1 : 22.1: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Edged but safe! Shortish of a length delivery outside off, Chandimal throws his hands at it. Gets it off the outside edge but luckily it flies safely behind square on the off side for a boundary. A streaky one. |
| 24.6 : 24.6: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Umesh Yadav is bowling too straight. I understand he is searching for the reverse swing but at the same time you need to get your line right. It's on the pads, Chandimal shuffles across and flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary to end the over. |
| 25.2 : 25.2: R Jadeja to Mathews, OUT! Irresponsible shot from a senior player, says Simon Doull on-air! Pretty much sums up the scenario. Mathews and Chandimal are the experienced players in the side and everyone would look up to them to help their side to safety. But here is the former doing something he could have avoided. Jadeja tosses this outside off, invites Angelo to drive. The Lankan batsman falls into the bait and plays it aerially straight to Rohit Sharma at mid off, who gleefully accepts th |
| 30.5 : 30.5: I Sharma to N Dickwella, OUT! Kohli fumbles but doesn't let the chance go down. Dickwella, before the start of play today, spoke of playing as per the situation. He did to a certain extent but the pitch and the delivery have got the better of him here. Ishant lands it on a length around off, the ball moves away just a bit after pitching. Dickwella had to play at that and hangs his bat out. The ball takes the edge and goes to Virat at second slip who fumbles but takes it on the second attem |
| 31.2 : 31.2: R Ashwin to Shanaka, FOUR! Well, well! Facing the spinner is tough, ehh? Shanaka doesn't think so. He uses his feet to get down and hits it over mid-wicket. There is a man back-tracking but he fails to get there. A boundary results. |
| 31.4 : 31.4: R Ashwin to Shanaka, SIX! There goes Shanaka again. Gets the desired result too. Ashwin tosses it around off, Dasun gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it all the way over deep mid-wicket. |
| 31.6 : 31.6: R Ashwin to Shanaka, SIX! And another one! Same area, same result. A maximum. Floated around off, Shanaka goes big over deep mid-wicket. This time it comfortably clears the fielder station in that region. 16 runs off this one. |
| 32.1 : 32.1: I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR. |
| 32.2 : 32.2: I Sharma to D Chandimal, FOUR! Edgy but Sri Lanka won't mind these. Length delivery just outside off, Chandimal gets squared up in defense. Gets an outside edge that lands short of the fielder at second slip and races away to the fence. |
| 33.3 : 33.3: R Ashwin to Shanaka, OUT! This was always coming with the way Dasun Shanaka was playing. You live by the sword and die by it goes the saying and seldom is it proved wrong. Shanaka was hell-bent on attacking the spinner and pays the price for doing so on this occasion. Ashwin tosses it around off, Shanaka comes down to belt it out of Nagpur. But he ends up getting more height than distance on it. KL Rahul has his eyes on the ball as he runs back from mid on and manages to hold to that. Not |
| 33.5 : 33.5: R Ashwin to Chandimal, FOUR! Even after watching a wicket fall in this over due to attacking, Chandimal doesn't hold back. Uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and hits it over mid on. The ball goes to the fence on one bounce. |
| 35.1 : 35.1: R Ashwin to Perera, OUT! Yes it is wicket no 500 in international cricket for Ravichandran Ashwin! He bowls it flatter and quicker around off and middle, it just spins in a touch. Perera misses the attempted flick shot. The Indians go up in unison in appealing for LBW, which the umpire upholds after thinking. Perera isn't convinced and has a chat with Chandimal before opting for DRS. Replays show that the ball would go on to clip the leg stump. Hence the on-field call stays. The visitors |
| 35.3 : 35.3: R Ashwin to R Herath, OUT! Oh dear! Sri Lankans are going on a bit too fast for anybody's liking here. Ashwin lands it around middle and leg, Herath prods forward in defense. But the extra bounce on this one means that the ball hits his gloves and lobs to Rahane at slip. He takes it and the Indians begin to celebrate. The veteran starts to walk off. Ashwin is now one shy of 300 Test scalps. |
| 36.3: R Jadeja to Lakmal, FOUR! That is one way to play Jadeja. Seeing this floated delivery around off, Lakmal frees his arms and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 38.6 : 38.6: R Jadeja to Chandimal, FOUR! Loopy delivery on the stumps, Lakmal comes down the track and hits it over mid on. Ishant Sharma runs backward but has no chance of getting to it and stopping the boundary. |
| 39.6: R Ashwin to Chandimal, FOUR! Chandimal takes the spinner on and connects. This is a leg break from Ashwin, not sure Chandimal picked it up. Gets down and plays the slog sweep with what he supposes is with the spin. Gets a top edge that lands just short of going the distance. Gets a boundary that takes him to 49! |
| 40.3 : 40.3: I Sharma to Lakmal, FOUR! Forget about all the live-by-the-sword sayings for a while. Lakmal's having fun wielding his willow. Ishant angles it into the batsman on a length. Lakmal looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball flies over covers and rolls away to the fence. |
| 40.5 : 40.5: I Sharma to Chandimal, FOUR! Dinesh Chandimal gets to his 15th Test fifty! On a length outside off, he guides it past backward point by opening the face of the bat to get to the mark. Twin fifties for him in this game but it's a little too late. He now holds the record of becoming the third Lankan captain to score two fifty-plus scores in the same Test against India. |
| 42.4 : 42.4: U Yadav to Chandimal, FOUR! Inside edge and through. This one comes back in again and stays a touch low too. Chandimal just puts bat on ball and gets an inside edge which evades the leg pole and races down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 43.4: R Ashwin to Lakmal, SIX! Down and track and Lakmal goes bang! That's a quality shot and looks so good to watch. Brings up the 50-run stand off just 49 balls. Ashwin gives it truck loaded with flight, Lakmal dances down the track and bashes it powerfully over the bowler's head to collect a maximum to his name. |
| 46.5 : 46.5: U Yadav to Chandimal, OUT! In the air... gone! It's wicket no. 99 in Tests for the local lad. Chandimal walks back in dismay. Yadav drops it on a length but the line is on the leg stump. The Lankan skipper flicks it aerially but finds Ashwin stationed at fine leg who accepts a simple catch. India just a wicket away from a win here. |
| 49.3 : 49.3: Ashwin to Gamage, OUT! Gamage is bowled! Another feather in Ashwin's gap - 300th Test wicket for him and he becomes the quickest to do so. He bowls a carrom ball, lands it around off. Gamage comes forward to defend but the ball grips and turns away and the bails are seen coming off. The umpire, Richard Kettleborough isn't sure what has happened there and hence takes it upstairs. The Indians are seen shaking hands, meanwhile. Replays show, the ball disturbs the off stick and then settles in |
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