| 0.0 : Hello everyone! Welcome to the coverage of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India at the Galle International Stadium. It was here in 2015 that a shock-loss woke India to a stupendous run in the longest format of the game. Virat Kohli and co. arrived in the Island as favorites and will want to ensure there are no hiccups this time around. |
| Sri Lanka on the other hand got out of jail against Zimbabwe. That they chased down a massive total should boost their confidence but they will be aware that India is a different challenge. The onus will be on the seniors to lead from the front. In the absence of Dinesh Chandimal, the hero of that 2015 Test, Rangana Herath will lead the side. Let's see how both teams fare. |
| Pitch report - Simon Doull and Russel Arnold feel that the pitch has something for everyone. There are a few dark patches and it may be a bit two-paced. Arnold expects the ball to misbehave. He thinks that the first day will be the best day to bat as batting will get difficult as the game goes on. Team winning the toss should look to bat first. |
| TOSS - India win the toss and elect to bat. |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli informs that he will bat first. Reckons that it looks a pretty hard surface and they will look to make the most of it. Adds that putting runs on the board is always a nice thing. Mentions that Shikhar Dhawan comes in place for KL Rahul who is down with flu. Further says that they are sticking with the same combination with Shami, Umesh, Jadeja, Ashwin and Pandya who is making his Test debut. Ends by saying that he backs his four strike bowlers to do the job for them. |
| Sri Lanka skipper, Rangana Herath opines that he would have batted as well. He calls it a good wicket and hopes that they keep the Indians in check. (It started to rain and hence they couldn't talk more). The covers are on now! |
| Seems like the rain has eased off and we should start on time. Fingers crossed. |
| Time for the national anthems! |
| The players are out in the middle! The two Indian openers are Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund. Sri Lanka begin with Nuwan Pradeep. He has three slips in place for him. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Hurls a full length ball around off, Dhawan pushes it towards mid off and takes a quick single to get off the mark. |
| 0.2 : N Pradeep to Mukund, A tad short around off, guided towards point by Mukund. |
| 0.3 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Good length around off, Mukund gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 0.4 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Drifts it on the pads, Mukund clips it through mid-wicket. Herath gives it a chase and keeps the ball in play. Three runs taken. Both openers are off the mark. |
| 0.5 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, On a length just around off, Dhawan comes forward and defends it. |
| Some issue with the sightscreen, Dhawan is not happy. |
| 0.6 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Full and swinging outside off, left alone by Shikhar. |
| Lahiru Kumara to bowl from the other end. Similar field for him. |
| 1.1 : L Kumara to Mukund, Short and outside off, played towards point by the batsman. |
| 1.2 : L Kumara to Mukund, Slants a length ball outside off, no shot offered. |
| 1.3 : L Kumara to Mukund, Sprays it wide outside off, Mukund is more than happy to let it go. |
| 1.4 : L Kumara to Mukund, WIDE! An action replay of the previous delivery, but it is even wider and hence a wide is signaled. |
| L Kumara to Mukund, A tad fuller, just outside off, Mukund shoulders his arms to it. |
| Kumara is trying to get the ball away from Mukund, can he nip one back and surprise the southpaw? |
| 1.5 : L Kumara to Mukund, Similar line, going across the batsman, a confident leave by Abhinav Mukund. |
| 1.6 : L Kumara to Mukund, Good length outside off, Mukund is not interested. |
| 2.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Good length outside off, left alone by Dhawan. |
| 2.2 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Length and angling on middle and leg, Dhawan fails to clip it through. Pradeep is the only one appealing. Think that was going down leg. Replays confirm the same. |
| 2.3 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Back of a length just outside off, Dhawan taps it towards covers. |
| 2.4 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, FOUR! Pristine! A tad full and just around off, Dhawan comes forward and just pushes it down the ground through mid off for a boundary. Top shot, really. |
| 2.5 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Fuller outside off, left alone by Dhawan. |
| 2.6 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Edged? Maybe. Fullish and in line of the stumps, Dhawan looks to push at it but opens the face of the bat at the last moment to get it through covers for a couple. |
| 3.1 : L Kumara to Mukund, Short and wide outside off, Dhawan lets it go through. |
| 3.2 : L Kumara to Mukund, Back of a length around middle, Mukund defends it towards mid on. |
| 3.3 : L Kumara to Mukund, FOUR! Poor line! On the pads, Mukund clips it through the square leg region for a boundary. Easy pickings, these. |
| Lahiru Kumara to go round the wicket. |
| 3.4 : L Kumara to Mukund, Bowls it in line of the stumps, Mukund defends it watchfully. |
| 3.5 : L Kumara to Mukund, Stays back and keeps this one out. |
| 3.6 : L Kumara to Mukund, Shorter in length outside off, Mukund arches back and gets out of the way. |
| 4.1 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, On a length outside off, Dhawan looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his back pad. |
| 0.0 : Change of plan already! Pradeep goes round the wicket, a silly mid on in place. |
| 4.2 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Lands it just outside off on a shorter length, Shikhar taps it into the off side and takes a quick single. Good running! |
| 4.3 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Length ball outside off, left alone by Mukund. |
| 4.4 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Brings this one into the batsman with the angle, Mukund though covers his stumps and is happy to let it go. |
| 4.5 : N Pradeep to Mukund, A tad short around off, Mukund comes half-forward and defends it into the covers. |
| 4.6 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Swing and a miss! Short and wide outside off, Mukund looks to flay it away but fails to connect. A rare bad shot by the Indian opener. |
| Kumara goes back to over the wicket. |
| 5.1 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Shorter in length on middle, Dhawan taps it with soft hands towards covers and takes a single. |
| 5.2 : L Kumara to Mukund, Mukund looks to defend but gets a soft leading edge into the off side. |
| 5.3 : L Kumara to A Mukund, Too full and on the pads, Mukund looks to clip it but fails to do so. Gets rapped on the pads and the bowler appeals, appeals and appeals. Nothing from the umpire as he reckons there was an inside edge. Replays confirm the same. |
| 5.4 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Shorter and outside off, punched into covers for a run. |
| 5.5 : L Kumara to Mukund, FOUR! Shot! Short and wide outside off, Mukund goes back and punches it through the covers for a boundary. This is too easy for the Indians. Poor plans so far. |
| 5.6 : L Kumara to Mukund, Good length outside off, Mukund gets behind it and defends it towards mid off. |
| Dilruwan Perera is called into the attack. The fast bowlers hardly made an impact which has forced Rangana Herath to introduce spin. A slip and short leg in place. |
| 6.1 : D Perera to S Dhawan, FOUR! Nothing delivery! Too full on middle and leg, Dhawan won't miss out and he clips it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. False start for Perera! |
| 6.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floats it around off, Dhawan prods forward and pushes it into covers. |
| It's gone a bit dark out there. |
| 6.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Drops it short, Dhawan goes back and punches it to backward point. |
| 6.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Full toss around off, Dhawan comes down the track and looks to go over covers but finds the fielder on the bounce. Crowd catch. |
| 6.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter around off, punched off the back foot by Dhawan. |
| 6.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, This time he comes forward and pushes it towards point. |
| 7.1 : N Pradeep to Mukund, Full and outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 7.2 : N Pradeep to Mukund, A tad closer to the stumps, another confident leave by Mukund. |
| 7.3 : N Pradeep to Mukund, OUT! Poor shot! Length ball outside off, Mukund hangs his bat out for it. The ball takes the edge and carries to the keeper. An easy catch for Dickwella and Abhinav continues to not make the most of the chances presented to him. A timely wicket for Sri Lanka. The change of ends works for Pradeep. |
| Cheteshwar Pujara makes his way out to the middle. He had a good time the last time he played a Test here. |
| 7.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Back of a length just around off, Pujara stands tall and defends it. |
| 7.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, FOUR! Edged! Good length just outside off, Pujara is surprised by the bounce so plays it with soft hands. The edge does not carry and runs into the third man fence. |
| 7.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara defends it from his crease. |
| 8.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Thumped! Floats it around off, Dhawan comes down and spanks it through wide mid off for a boundary. Superb shot, that. |
| 8.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter around off, Dhawan punches it past the diving cover fielder for a couple of runs. |
| 8.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller around off, worked to mid on for a single. |
| 8.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 8.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Well bowled! Loopy around the stumps, Pujara is beaten in the air as he looks to come down and whip it through the leg side. The ball goes off the pads towards the off side. Good ball, that. |
| 8.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara comes forward and defends it from his crease off the inner half towards the leg side. |
| 9.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Length ball outside off, Dhawan gets across and taps it into covers for a single. He has been busy right from the start. |
| 9.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length outside off, Pujara punches it into covers. |
| 9.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length outside off, Pujara shapes to defend but gets it off the outer half towards the off side. |
| 9.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Back of a length around off, comes in, Pujara defends it from his crease. |
| 9.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, nips back in, too wide for Pujara to play a shot. Pradeep is not happy, maybe he wanted to bowl it closer to the stumps. |
| 9.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, nudged past the diving short leg fielder for a couple of runs. |
| 10.1 : D Perera to S Dhawan, Dhawan clips one to the left of mid on for a single. He has not allowed the bowlers to bowl to him so far. |
| 10.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Lands it around off, Pujara presents the full face of the bat and defends it. |
| 10.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes forward and blocks it. |
| 10.4 : D Perera to Pujara, A tad short around off, punched towards short mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 10.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes down a touch and flicks it to the right of the mid on fielder for a single. |
| 10.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floats it around off, Dhawan prods forward and blocks it. |
| 11.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Shorter in length outside off, Pujara watches the ball sail over him. Good ball but far too wide. |
| 11.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, CLOSE! Length ball around off, Pujara comes forward to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball threatens to go towards the stumps but the batsman is aware to it and keeps it out. That came in sharply into Pujara and hence he got an inside edge. |
| 11.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Wide enough for a leave for Pujara. |
| Pradeep slips while trying to deliver the ball. Hopefully he is fine. Didn't land well there and almost twisted his left ankle. |
| 11.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, FOUR! Put away! Pradeep drifts it into the pads, Pujara won't miss out on such balls as he clips it beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 11.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length outside off, punched into covers by the batsman. |
| 11.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara defends it from his crease. |
| 12.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, And again, Dhawan comes down and pushes one towards covers. |
| 12.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floats it around off, Dhawan comes down to push and run a single but sends back Pujara who was anticipating it as well. |
| 12.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller around off, Shikhar comes forward and blocks it. |
| 12.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Confusion! Shorter in length around off, Dhawan punches it towards point and takes off. Pujara responds but Shikhar sends him back late. Had the throw been a good one at the bowler's end even Pujara's dive would not have been enough. Really close call. |
| 12.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Pushes it towards point. |
| 12.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan and Pujara need to talk! Another punch to point, another single initiated but not taken. Both the batsmen need to have a word and sort out the communication. |
| Drinks on the field. An easy passage of play for India. Mukund would rue missing out on an opportunity to score big on a placid deck. There were a few nervy moments just before the break for the pair at the crease. Pujara was seen holding his left shoulder. India will hope he is fit enough. |
| Lahiru Kumara returns for a bowl. He wasn't at his best in his first spell. |
| 13.1 : L Kumara to C Pujara, Fuller delivery outside off, Pujara drives it towards covers. Rangana Herath gets behind the ball but is beaten by the awkward bounce. Gets deceived by it and the ball goes through. The batsmen run three in the process. |
| 13.2 : L Kumara to Dhawan, FOUR! Shot! Short delivery into the batsman, Dhawan stays in his crease and pulls it through the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 13.3 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Another back of a length delivery, holds a bit on the pitch. Dhawan manages to fend it away on the leg side. |
| 13.4 : L Kumara to Dhawan, FOUR! Easy pickings! Fuller into the pads, Dhawan whips it through the backward square leg region. Nuwan Pradeep goes to his right from fine leg to stop the ball but hesitates to slide and hence fails to prevent the boundary. |
| 13.5 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Good length delivery around off, Dhawan gets behind the line of the ball and punches it towards covers. |
| 13.6 : L Kumara to Dhawan, No ball! What's happened there? Kumara comes charging in and tries to bowl an effort ball. Unfortunately it slips out of his hand and he ends up dishing out a beamer straight on the body of the batsman. Dhawan ducks under it and Dickwella has a tough time to stop it. A warning given to Kumara. |
| L Kumara to S Dhawan, Dropped! Length delivery outside off, Dhawan leans into the drive. Gets a thick outside edge on it and the ball flies towards second slip. Asela Gunaratne dives to his left, gets his hand to it but fails to hold onto it. Kumara is disappointed and the batsmen run a single. Gunaratne goes crashing down in pain. |
| Hold up in play as Gunaratne gets some medical attention. He looks in a lot of pain. The entire Sri Lankan team is around him. Oh dear, he is walking off holding his left wrist. |
| 14.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Angling into the pads, Dhawan tickles it fine towards short fine leg for a single. |
| 14.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Again sprayed around middle and leg, Pujara shuffles across and nudges it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 14.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around off, Dhawan comes down the track and eases it down towards long off for a single. |
| 14.4 : D Perera to Pujara, A bit shortish around middle and leg, Pujara clips it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 14.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around off, Dhawan prods forward in defence. |
| 14.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Flighted around off, Dhawan goes for the sweep this time, gets it towards fine leg for a single. Five singles off the over. |
| 15.1 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Length delivery around middle and leg, Dhawan stays in his crease and defends it neatly. |
| 15.2 : L Kumara to Dhawan, On a good length outside off, Dhawan makes a leave this time. |
| 15.3 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Length delivery around off, Dhawan mistimes his drive towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 15.4 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Short delivery outside off, Dhawan stands tall and punches it towards the fielder at sweeper cover for a couple. |
| The umpire inspects the area Kumara is following through on. Sri Lanka are already playing with fire here with their bowlers. Kumara has struggled and also has a warning for a beamer, Gunaratne has gone off. Pradeep does not seem 100 percent fit. Troubled times! |
| 15.5 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Bangs this short outside off, Dhawan thinks of playing the upper cut but lets it through at the very last moment. |
| 15.6 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Spills this one into the pads, Dhawan is quick to flick it through the backward square leg region. Nuwan Pradeep is able to cut it off this time. The batsmen run a couple in the process. |
| 16.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated around off, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 16.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Another tossed up delivery around middle and off, Pujara gets forward to defend. Gets an inside edge on it and the ball runs down towards short fine leg for a single. |
| 16.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 16.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan camps back and punches it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 16.5 : D Perera to Pujara, FOUR! Dragged short down the leg side, Pujara stays in his crease and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara races down the track and whips it towards the fielder at mid on. |
| 17.1 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Back of a length delivery outside off, Dhawan defends it towards point and calls for a quick single. |
| 0.0 : Pujara pulls out at the last moment. The bowler does not like that. But even Pujara is not happy with the reaction of Lahiru Kumara and he lets that known to the umpire. The batsman pulled out due to a problem with the sightscreen. |
| 17.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Angling in from a good length, Pujara clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 50-run stand between Dhawan and Pujara. |
| 17.3 : L Kumara to S Dhawan, FOUR! Good shot! Another delivery banged in short, Dhawan camps back, rides the bounce and pulls it with authority through the square leg region for a boundary. |
| 17.4 : L Kumara to S Dhawan, Fuller and into the stumps, Dhawan gets behind it to block it away. |
| 17.5 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Kumara is all charged up! Fuller delivery around middle and off, Dhawan drives it back to the bowler. Lahiru collects it and has a shy back at the striker's end. No damage done in the end. |
| 17.6 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Another short delivery, Dhawan pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. |
| Skipper Rangana Herath introduces himself into the attack. He will hope to make an impact early as the Indian batsmen looked settled in the middle. |
| 18.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Floats this one outside off, Dhawan gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 18.2 : R Herath to S Dhawan, Fuller around leg, Dhawan drives it to long on for a single. |
| 18.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up around middle and leg, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 18.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Flighted around off, Pujara prods forward in defence. |
| 18.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara gets forward and to the pitch of the ball and drives it towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 18.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller into the pads, Pujara clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| Dilruwan Perera comes back on. |
| 19.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Tossed up outside off, Dhawan gets forward and defends it. |
| 19.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around leg, Dhawan dances down the track and drives it through the wide mid off region for a single. |
| 19.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Quicker outside off, Pujara gets forward and pads it away. |
| 19.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Spinning in from around middle and off, Pujara shuffles a bit and clips it towards deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 19.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller around middle and leg, Dhawan lunges forward and defends. |
| 19.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, A tad short outside off, Dhawan cuts but straight towards the fielder at point. |
| 20.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara gets forward and drives it towards the fielder at covers. |
| 20.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Around middle and leg, Pujara gets a bit forward, clips but straight to mid-wicket. |
| 20.3 : R Herath to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Sprayed down the leg side, Pujara adjust a bit and plays it really fine past the keeper on the leg side for a couple. |
| 20.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, Pujara gets forward and blocks it with ease. |
| 20.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Around off again, Pujara lunges forward and defends it neatly off the front foot. |
| 21.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shortish around off, punched towards wide long on for a single. |
| 21.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara dances down the track and clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 21.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara lunges forward and defends it well. |
| 21.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Quicker around off, Pujara gets it off the outer half past the slip fielder for a couple. |
| 21.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Cheteshwar comes down the track and whips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 21.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Well played Shikhar! Floated outside off, Dhawan gets forward and eases it down to long off for a single. The Indian opener is making the most of his opportunity and he will look to score a big score this time around. |
| 4th Test fifty for Shikhar Dhawan! |
| 22.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Fuller around off, Dhawan drills it back to the bowler. |
| 22.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Dhawan flicks it through the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 22.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Around middle and leg, Pujara gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 22.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around leg, Pujara lunges forward and defends it on the leg side. |
| 22.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Cheteshwar this time stays back and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 22.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Quicker into the pads, Pujara stays deep and defends it in front of the fielder at short fine leg. |
| 23.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller around leg, Dhawan comes forward and blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 23.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Tossed up around off, Dhawan gets forward, defends it towards covers and rushes for a quick single. |
| 23.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated outside off, Che gets forward and unleashes his drive towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 23.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Into the pads, clipped to square leg for a single. |
| 23.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan dances down the track, reaches to the pitch of the ball and smacks that along the ground back to the bowler. |
| 23.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Into the pads, Dhawan flicks it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 24.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around leg, Pujara clips it towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 24.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Fuller around off, Dhawan jams it towards the fielder at silly mid on. |
| 24.3 : R Herath to Dhawan, Floated around middle and off, Dhawan comes down the track and defends it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 24.4 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Good shot! Dhawan charges down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it hard past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 24.5 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Fuller down the leg side, Dhawan kneels down and brings out the sweep. Gets it through the backward square leg region for a boundary. |
| 24.6 : R Herath to Dhawan, Dhawan stays in his crease and defends it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 25.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shortish outside off, Dhawan punches it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 25.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated around off, Cheteshwar comes down the track and drives it back to the bowler. Perera dives to his left and makes a really good stop. |
| 25.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara comes down the track again and clips it on the leg side. Cannot get it past the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 25.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller around off, Pujara dances down the track and drills it towards mid off. No runs taken. |
| 25.5 : D Perera to Pujara, A bit short down the leg side, Pujara stays back and clips it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 25.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated outside off, Dhawan prods forward and defends it. |
| Rangana Herath to bowl the last over before lunch. |
| 26.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around off, Cheteshwar Pujara whips it through the mid-wicket region. The fielder gives it a chase and saves a run for his team. |
| 26.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Fuller around off, Dhawan nudges it towards mid-wicket. |
| 26.3 : R Herath to Dhawan, A bit short around off, Dhawan dabs it through the point region for a single. |
| 26.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Full toss outside off, flicked towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 26.5 : R Herath to Dhawan, Another shortish delivery around off, Dhawan stays deep in his crease, pushes it through point for a single. |
| 26.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Quicker around leg, Pujara gets forward and defends it. That's LUNCH, Day 1! |
| An excellent session of play for India. They have done nothing wrong except losing the wicket of Abhinav Mukund. Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara are looking really comfortable in the middle as the Lankan bowlers have not been disciplined and bowled too many poor balls. The former who got a life earlier has already gone past his fifty and is looking all set for a big knock. Rangana Herath will have a lot of thinking to do as India are going at a really good rate. Join us in a while for the s |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| Play time! Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara stride out to bat. They will aim to carry on the good work while the hosts will look for some wickets to keep them in check. They begin the proceedings with Nuwan Pradeep! Here we go... |
| 27.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Fuller outside off, Dhawan comes forward and defends it. |
| 27.2 : Pradeep to Dhawan, Is that out? Nope! Good length around off, comes in a long way, Dhawan shapes to clip but is hit on his pads. The players appeal but the umpire stays put. Herath ponders about the review but does not go for it. That looked high. |
| 27.3 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Shikhar comes forward and pushes it towards covers. |
| 27.4 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Good length outside off, Dhawan is watchful as he lets it go. |
| 27.5 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Good length outside off, cracked to deep point for a single. |
| 27.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angles it on the stumps, Pujara works it off the inner half through backward square leg for a single. |
| Rangana Herath to bowl from the other end. It is going to be important to not let India run away with the scoring rate. For some reason, there is an issue with the sightscreen. Things like these are really needless. In 2017, yet we can't get rid of these petty issues. |
| 28.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Good stop! Floated outside off, Pujara comes down a touch and looks to drive. The fielder at short covers gets a hand to it and parries it towards mid off. A single taken. |
| 28.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Lands it around off, Dhawan comes forward and defends it. |
| 28.3 : R Herath to Dhawan, Too full around off, Dhawan comes down but can only hit it back to the bowler all along the ground. |
| 28.4 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Shot of the day! Herath bowls it outside off, Dhawan strides out of his crease, just punches his drive wide of mid off for a boundary. Superb timing, even better placement! |
| 28.5 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Herath is being hit out! This time Dhawan goes to the left of the bowler and smashes this one down the ground for a boundary. |
| 28.6 : R Herath to Dhawan, Easy! Nudges this one through backward square leg for a single. India have been dominant against Herath. Also brings up the century stand! |
| 100-run stand between Dhawan and Pujara. |
| Another delay due to sightscreen. |
| 29.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, FOUR! All in control! Shorter in length, Dhawan gets on top of it, rolls his wrists over it and gets it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Mathews in the deep did not spot it at all. |
| 29.2 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Full and outside off, too wide for a shot by Dhawan. |
| 29.3 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Good length outside off, left alone by Shikhar. |
| 29.4 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Another confident leave by Dhawan. |
| 29.5 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Length outside off, Dhawan gets across and defends it towards the off side. |
| 29.6 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Length ball angling in, Dhawan stands tall and turns it towards the leg side. |
| Dilruwan Perera is called back for a bowl. |
| Big blow for Sri Lanka - Asela Gunaratne won't take any further part in this Test match. He has fractured his left thumb. This could be a really big loss for the Sri Lankan side. |
| 30.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Puajra turns it towards mid-wicket. The fielder has a needless shy at the striker's end and the deflection results in a run. |
| 30.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Lands it around off, Dhawan comes forward and defends it. |
| 30.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter outside off, cut towards backward point by Dhawan. |
| 30.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Too easy! Floated outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and smacks it through the gap between the two fielders at covers for a boundary. |
| 30.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Prods forward and pushes this one towards point. |
| 30.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan comes down the track and plays it back down the wicket. |
| 31.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara defends it towards the leg side. |
| 31.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length outside off, left alone. |
| 31.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Fuller around off, turned towards mid on from his crease. |
| 31.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angles in a good length ball outside off, Pujara stands tall and defends it. |
| 31.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara defends it watchfully. |
| 31.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length outside off, Cheteshwar defends it from his crease. |
| 32.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Swept and swept hard! Floats it around off, Dhawan comes down on it and sweeps it hard in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 32.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Lands it around off, Dhawan comes forward to push towards covers and wants a run but is sent back. |
| 32.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Deft! Shorter outside off, Dhawan camps back and just glides behind short third man for a boundary. This is all too easy. |
| The extra cover fielder is now moved to short fine leg. |
| 32.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter around off, punched towards covers by the batsman. |
| 32.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Dhawan comes forward and defends it watchfully. |
| 32.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shikhar dances down and turns it through mid on for a single. Just like that, he is on 91 in 105 balls. |
| 33.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan power! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan cuts it hard and behind deep point for a boundary. Races away to 95! |
| 0.0 : The second slip fielder moves to point now. |
| 33.2 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, A tad short around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 33.3 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, Short ball around off, pulled to deep fine leg for a single. 150 up for India. |
| 33.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Short and wide outside off, Pujara punches it through the covers. The cover fielder gets to it and saves a run for his side. Mathews was the fielder there. |
| 33.5 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, Shorter around off, controlled pull to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 33.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 34.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! CENTURY! Dhawan is back and how! Dilruwan bowls it around off, Shikhar gets down on it and sweeps it through the backward square leg region for a boundary. He celebrates it in his usual way, his second ton at this venue. He has been absolutely magnificent today. Remember he was dropped on 31, it has cost the home side dearly. |
| 0.0 : 5th Test hundred for Shikhar Dhawan! |
| 34.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Shorter around off, punched to long on for a single. |
| 34.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 34.4 : D Perera to Pujara, CLOSE! Pujara walks forward and turns one wide of the short leg fielder for a single. That wasn't far from the fielder. |
| 34.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, What happened there? Perera spots Dhawan coming and darts one outside off. Dhawan gets a bottom edge but ensures that he gets back into his crease in time to not get stumped. He does not want to waste this chance. |
| 34.6 : D Perera to Dhawan, Full and outside off, Shikhar comes down and pushes it through mid off for a single. |
| Lahiru Kumara is brought back for a bowl. |
| 35.1 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Fuller around off, Dhawan comes forward and defends it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 35.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single. |
| 35.3 : L Kumara to Dhawan, Full and outside off, driven to sweeper cover for a single. The cover fielder got a hand to it and hence it allowed the fielder in the deep to mop it up. |
| 35.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 35.5 : L Kumara to C Pujara, Kumara lands it around off, Pujara mistimes his push towards mid on. He calls Dhawan through for a quick single. |
| 35.6 : L Kumara to S Dhawan, Short and around off, Dhawan cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 36.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Sweet! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan goes back and angles it past backward point for a boundary. Shikhar is all smiles and why not. He has enjoyed his batting. |
| 36.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, Comes forward and nudges one towards short mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 36.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller on middle, clipped through mid on for a single. |
| 36.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara comes down and turns it through mid-wicket. |
| 36.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Lands it outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 36.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Top timing! Lands it outside off, Pujara comes down and flicks it with the turn wide of mid on. The ball slows down near the ropes. Three runs taken. |
| 37.1 : L Kumara to Pujara, Good length outside off, Pujara almost loses balance trying to defend that into the off side. |
| 37.2 : L Kumara to C Pujara, FOUR! Played, Pujara! Full toss outside off, Pujara creams it through the covers for a boundary. The runs are flowing at ease for India. |
| 16th Test fifty for Cheteshwar Pujara! |
| 150-run stand between Dhawan and Pujara. |
| 37.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, FOUR! What a shot that is! Kumara bowls it around off, Pujara just gets across a touch and whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is superb batting. Session run rate so far is 6.38! |
| 37.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter in length, a rarity, Pujara ducks under it. |
| 37.5 : L Kumara to Pujara, Another bumper, another duck by Cheteshwar. Wide signaled for the height on that one. |
| L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter in length again, Pujara ducks under it. No ball signaled for the height again. Just sums up the day for Sri Lanka so far. |
| L Kumara to Pujara, Fuller outside off, driven towards covers by the batsman. |
| 37.6 : L Kumara to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 38.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, Fuller on leg, Dhawan comes down and turns it towards mid-wicket. |
| 38.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, This time he plays the sweep shot but finds the short fine leg fielder. |
| 38.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, Is that out? Lands it around leg, Dhawan looks to sweep but misses. The keeper fumbles and then takes the bails off, appeals for a stumping but the square leg umpire dismisses it. |
| 38.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Lands it outside leg, Dhawan pads it away. |
| 38.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Tucks one towards fine leg for a single. |
| 38.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Works one towards mid on from his crease. |
| 39.1 : L Kumara to Dhawan, FOUR! Hit away! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan smashes it to the deep point fence. Sri Lanka are asking to be hit around the park here. |
| 39.2 : L Kumara to S Dhawan, Shorter in length, Dhawan controls his pull down to fine leg for a single. |
| 39.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter in length again, tucked to long leg for a run. |
| 39.4 : L Kumara to Dhawan, FOUR! Full toss on the pads, Dhawan pumps it wide of the deep backward square leg region for a boundary. Already 10 runs of the over, mentions the commentator. |
| 39.5 : L Kumara to Dhawan, FOUR! Nothing is working! Mathews had a word with his teammate there but to no avail. Short and wide outside off, Shikhar Dhawan just stands tall and dispatches it through sweeper cover for a boundary. |
| 39.6 : Kumara to Dhawan, Yorker from round the wicket, Dhawan keeps it out. His figures read 9-0-65-0! |
| 40.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 40.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Comes down and hits it towards mid on. |
| 40.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara slinks down the wicket and turns it towards mid on. |
| 40.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Cheteshwar hits one back to the bowler from his crease. |
| 40.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Nudges one behind square on the leg side for a single. 200 up for India, already. |
| 40.6 : D Perera to S Dhawan, Lands it around leg, clipped to long on for a single. |
| Drinks. |
| Rangana Herath returns for a bowl. He will aim to provide a breakthrough. Sri Lanka need it rather desperately. |
| 41.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Fuller around leg, clipped towards mid-wicket by Dhawan. |
| 41.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, A bit short and spinning in, Dhawan stays in his crease and punches it towards long on for a single. |
| 41.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball to defend. |
| 41.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Shortish around off, Che dabs it towards the point fielder. |
| 41.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara prods forward and defends. |
| 41.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around off, Pujara shows his front foot defence. |
| 42.1 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Easy, easy, easy pickings! Way down the leg side, Dhawan loves that line, sweeps it away past the short third man fielder for a boundary. |
| 42.2 : D Perera to Dhawan, A bit short this time, Dhawan camps back and punches it back to the bowler. |
| 42.3 : D Perera to Dhawan, FOUR! Again a freebie! Spilt down the leg side, Dhawan sweeps it again through the backward square leg region for a boundary. Second boundary of the over. |
| 42.4 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around leg, Dhawan stays behind the line of the ball to defend. |
| 42.5 : D Perera to Dhawan, Floated around middle and off this time, Dhawan dances down the track and eases it down to long off for a single. |
| 42.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and presents a good front foot defence to it. |
| 43.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Quicker around leg, Dhawan comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 43.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Fuller around middle and leg, Dhawan clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 43.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 43.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Around middle and off, Che gets forward and blocks it neatly. |
| 43.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around leg, Pujara stays behind and defends. |
| 43.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Outside off, Pujara comes down the track and drills it towards the fielder at covers. |
| Bowling change, Danushka Gunathilaka comes on for a bowl. The only option left. Kusal Mendis can roll his arm over too, actually. |
| 44.1 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, FOUR! Welcome debutant, says Dhawan! Bowls a short delivery around off, Shikhar camps back and pulls it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 44.2 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Sprayed full down the leg side, Dhawan sweeps it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 44.3 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Tossed up around middle, Pujara comes down and clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 44.4 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Floated around off, Dhawan steps out and heaves towards long on for a single. |
| 44.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Shortish around off, Pujara camps back and punches it towards long on for another single. |
| 44.6 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Quicker into the pads, Dhawan clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 9 runs off the over. |
| 45.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Again down the leg side to start with, Dhawan sweeps it comfortably towards fine leg for a single. |
| 45.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara gets forward and blocks it away. |
| 45.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Outside off, Che defends again. Gets it towards the fielder at point this time. |
| 45.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara comes down the track and pads it away with the bat behind his pad. |
| 45.5 : R Herath to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 45.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Quicker around leg, Pujara gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 46.1 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Fuller around middle, clipped towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 46.2 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Shikhar Dhawan waits for it. Cuts it really late past the backward point fielder for a boundary. He is just one run short of 150. |
| 46.3 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Brilliant, Dhawan! Fuller around leg, Dhawan dances down the track and creams it towards long on for a single. He has also reached his 3rd score of 150-plus. |
| 200-run stand between Dhawan and Pujara. |
| 46.4 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara stays in his crease and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 46.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Into the pads, Pujara clips it through the backward square leg region for a single. |
| 46.6 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Shikhar camps back and punches it towards long on for another single to keep strike. |
| 47.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Magical! Fuller around off, Dhawan plays the predetermined paddle scoop over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 47.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Hammered! Fuller around off, Dhawan steps out a bit and crashes that straight down the ground through the long on region for a boundary. |
| 47.3 : R Herath to S Dhawan, A bit short this time, Dhawan camps back and punches it through mid on for a single. |
| 47.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around leg, Pujara comes down and whips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 47.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Shorter outside off, Pujara cuts it through the point region for a couple. |
| 47.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller into the pads, Pujara whips it towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 48.1 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara stays in his crease and defends. |
| 48.2 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Fuller around leg, Che clips it towards backward square leg for a quick single. |
| 48.3 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Tossed up outside off, Dhawan dances down the track and tries to clip it on the leg side. Gets a leading edge past the cover fielder for a single. |
| 48.4 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara comes down the track and drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 48.6 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Fuller around off, eased down to long on for another single. |
| 49.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Quicker around leg, Dhawan dances down the track and punches it back to the bowler. |
| 49.2 : R Herath to Dhawan, Floated outside off, driven towards wide long on for a single. |
| 49.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara prods forward in defence. |
| 49.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Flighted around middle and leg, Pujara clips it through square leg for a single. |
| 49.5 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan makes room, waits for it and smashes that through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 49.6 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan is toying with the field! Into the pads, Dhawan stays in his crease and has a big hoick at it. Gets it into the gap at deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 50.1 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Flatter around leg, Pujara flicks it through the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 50.2 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, FOUR! Sprayed down the leg side, Dhawan shuffles across and paddles it fine past the keeper for a boundary. |
| 50.3 : D Gunathilaka to Dhawan, Floated outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and pushes at it. Gets it off the outer half towards point. Angelo Mathews makes a sloppy attempt there and lets it through him which allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 50.4 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara flicks this one really fine on the leg side for a couple. |
| 50.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Dabbed towards point for a single. |
| 50.6 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan cuts and cuts hard. The ball goes past the point fielder and races away to the fence. |
| 51.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara dances down the track and clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 51.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 51.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Che again comes down the track, reaches the pitch of the ball and wrists it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 51.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara gets forward and defends it. |
| 51.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara prods forward and presents another defence. |
| 51.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. Only the 3rd maiden of the day. This one came after nearly 20 overs. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is called back for a bowl. |
| 52.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Short and around off, Dhawan punches it towards deep point for a single. |
| 52.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angling into the pads, Pujara clips it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 52.3 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, Short and wide outside off, Dhawan stays back and cuts it towards deep point for another single. |
| 52.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, Pujara has made a leave there. Yes, a leave after ages it feels. |
| 52.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, Pujara stays behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 52.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Length delivery outside off, Pujara gets forward and defends it neatly. |
| 53.1 : R Herath to Dhawan, Quicker around middle and leg, Dhawan flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 53.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara defends it towards point for a quick single. |
| 53.3 : R Herath to S Dhawan, Floated outside off, Dhawan clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 53.4 : R Herath to Dhawan, Outside off, driven through the extra cover region for a couple. |
| 53.5 : R Herath to Dhawan, FOUR! Down the leg side, Dhawan plays another exquisite paddle sweep through the short fine leg region for a boundary. With that he also goes past his personal high score in Tests. |
| 250-run stand between Dhawan and Pujara. This now is the highest second wicket partnership for India against Sri Lanka in Tests. |
| 53.6 : R Herath to Dhawan, Dhawan camps back and punches it towards long on for a single. |
| 54.1 : N Pradeep to Dhawan, OUT! Dhawan throws it away! Good length delivery outside off, Shikhar comes down the track and tries to go over the fielder at mid off. Mistimes it and the ball goes straight to Mathews who makes no mistake. A fantastic knock comes to an end and he misses out on his first double hundred by just 10 runs. Sri Lanka will want to pick up a couple of quick wickets now to get back into the game. |
| 0.0 : Virat Kohli is the next man in. |
| 54.2 : N Pradeep to Kohli, Good length delivery outside off, Kohli stays in his crease and defends it towards covers. |
| 54.3 : N Pradeep to Kohli, Short delivery into the batsman, Virat Kohli ducks under it. |
| 54.4 : N Pradeep to Kohli, Angling into the pads, clipped towards mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark. |
| 54.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Fuller around middle and off, Pujara defends it back to the bowler. |
| 54.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angling into the hips, turned away towards deep mid-wicket for a single. THAT'S TEA ON DAY 1! |
| 167 runs, 1 wicket in the session - there is no doubt who owned the afternoon, Shikhar Dhawan! He broke the record for scoring the most number of runs in the second session for India. And he won't be wrong to think he threw away a chance to make a huge, huge, huge score. India are firmly in the driver's seat and will want to bat on. Sri Lanka will wish for some heavenly help to keep India in check. Join us in a while for the last session of play. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| The players are back out in the middle. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara stride out to bat. Sri Lanka will want strike early and put pressure on India. Sri Lanka begin the session with Rangana Herath! Here we go... |
| 55.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floats it outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 55.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Cheteshwar gets across and defends it watchfully. |
| 55.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Lands it around off, Pujara comes forward and blocks it. |
| 55.4 : R Herath to C Pujara, Quick running! Cheteshwar Pujara taps one towards mid on and takes off. The mid on fielder is caught napping and despite the direct hit at the bowler's end, Che makes it in. Mathews was the man in question there. |
| 55.5 : R Herath to V Kohli, Kohli comes forward and pushes it towards extra cover. |
| 55.6 : R Herath to Kohli, Another push into the covers by Virat. |
| Nuwan Pradeep to continue from the other end. |
| 56.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Tucks one towards mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 56.2 : N Pradeep to Kohli, Good length outside off, Kohli looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his body. |
| 56.3 : N Pradeep to Kohli, Good length outside off, punched off the back foot into covers for a couple of runs. |
| Sri Lanka are confident that Virat Kohli has gloved a pull. Review taken. |
| 56.4 : N Pradeep to Kohli, OUT! Big wicket for Sri Lanka! Shorter in length around middle and leg, Kohli looks to pull it but seems to have missed it. The keeper takes the catch and appeals. It is a loud one and with the umpire saying no, Herath goes for the review after some consultation. Replays show that it is touch and go. There seems to be a faint nick on that one. Ultra Edge takes its time and since there is a small deflection when the ball went past the bat the third umpire thinks it is go |
| Ajinkya Rahane comes out to bat. |
| 56.5 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length outside off, left alone by Rahane. No ball called for overstepping. |
| N Pradeep to Rahane, Rahane stays back and defends it watchfully. |
| 56.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length outside off, Rahane leaps and defends it down. |
| 57.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes down and defends it watchfully. |
| 57.2 : R Herath to C Pujara, Full outside off, Pujara comes down and drives it towards short covers where Gunathilaka dives to his right and stops it. A boundary saved. |
| 57.3 : R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! Superb shot! This time Pujara goes through the leg side. Comes down the wicket and turns it with his wrists through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 57.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Leading edge! Pujara looks to clip one through the leg side but gets a soft leading edge towards mid off. They take a quick run. |
| 57.5 : R Herath to Rahane, Lands it around off, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 57.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it around off, Rahane comes forward and blocks it. |
| 58.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara punches it towards covers. |
| 58.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Fuller and on the pads, Che looks to put it away but finds the leg gully fielder who dives and stops the ball. |
| 58.3 : N Pradeep to C Pujara, Shorter and going down leg, Pujara is happy to let it be. |
| 58.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, A tad short outside off, dabbed towards the gully region. |
| 58.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Shorter in length outside off, Pujara is happy to stay away from it. |
| 58.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Full and on the stumps, clipped through mid-wicket. There was a call for two but there was some confusion in the middle. The throw came at the bowler's end but Che was struggling to make it into his crease at the striker's end. |
| 59.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it outside off, Rahane pushes it into covers. |
| 59.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane drives one towards covers again. |
| 59.3 : R Herath to Rahane, The arm ball around middle, Rahane stays back and defends it from his back foot. |
| 59.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Fuller around off, Rahane turns it towards mid on from his crease. |
| 59.5 : R Herath to Rahane, Outside off, Ajinkya comes forward and blocks it. |
| 59.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Tossed up outside off, driven to mid off by the batsman. |
| Pradeep will bowl round the wicket and maybe bowl short on the body of the batsman. |
| 60.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, The short ball comes but Pujara is ready for it. He controls his pull well to get it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 60.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Over the wicket to Rahane, bowls it outside off, Rahane pushes it towards mid off from his crease. |
| 60.3 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Rahane comes forward and defends this length ball into covers. |
| 60.4 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Length ball outside off, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 60.5 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 60.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Lovely shot! Good length outside off, Rahane punches it off the back foot. The fielder gives it a chase and saves a run for his side. Ajinkya is off the mark at last. |
| 61.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Lands it around middle, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 61.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Works it towards short mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 61.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane comes down and drives it towards extra cover. |
| 61.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane comes forward and blocks it. |
| 61.5 : R Herath to Rahane, Fuller around off, Rahane turns it towards mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 61.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Shorter in length, punched to extra cover by Rahane. Maiden for Herath, there haven't been many today. |
| Lahiru Kumara is brought back for a bowl. |
| 62.1 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter outside off, Pujara chops it towards covers from his crease. |
| 62.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Slants it on the pads, turned towards mid-wicket. They look for a single but get a second as the fielder had to come in from the deep to stop the ball. 300 up for India! |
| 62.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full toss around off, bunted towards mid on for a single. |
| 62.4 : L Kumara to Rahane, Fuller around off, mistimed drive by Rahane towards mid on. |
| 62.5 : L Kumara to Rahane, Shorter and outside off, Rahane gets out of the way. |
| 62.6 : L Kumara to Rahane, Good length outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 63.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floats it outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 63.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara comes forward and pushes it to covers. |
| 63.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara stays back and pushes it towards cover-point. |
| 63.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Lands it outside off, Che defends it watchfully. |
| 63.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Bowls it outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it. |
| 63.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Comes down and defends it to the right of bowler. Herath stops it to his right. Another maiden for Herath. |
| 64.1 : L Kumara to Rahane, Shorter in length around middle, Rahane fends at it without actually getting in line. He wants a single as the ball rolls towards the leg side but Che refuses it. |
| 64.2 : L Kumara to Rahane, Back of a length around off, Rahane defends it off his back foot, gets an inside edge onto his pads. He calls for a single as the ball rolls towards the off side. |
| 64.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full outside off, Pujara comes forward and pushes it towards covers. |
| 64.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Short and wide outside off, played wide of the point fielder for a single. |
| 64.5 : L Kumara to A Rahane, Bouncer! Shorter in length just around off, bounces more as Rahane lets it go. Wide signaled. |
| L Kumara to Rahane, Slings it down the leg side, Rahane shoulders his arms. |
| 64.6 : L Kumara to A Rahane, Full and outside off, Rahane drives it nicely but the cover fielder gets a hand to it and stops the ball from going through. |
| 65.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Lands it outside off, Pujara comes forward and defends it |
| 65.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Drives it hard but finds the fielder at mid off. |
| 65.3 : R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! Herath gives it more air, Pujara accepts the invitation, comes down and drives it through the covers for a boundary. Excellent shot. |
| 65.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around off, Pujara comes forward and nudges it towards the on side. |
| 65.5 : R Herath to Pujara, FOUR! Sublime! Herath bowls around off, Pujara comes down the track and clips it to the right of the bowler. Herath cannot stop it and the ball runs into the long on fence. He moves onto 97! |
| 65.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Nudges one through square leg for a single. |
| 66.1 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full and outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 66.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full and outside off, Che comes forward and defends it. |
| 66.3 : L Kumara to C Pujara, Full and in line of the stumps, Pujara mistimes his clip towards mid on. |
| 66.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Short ball outside off, Pujara ducks under it. |
| 66.5 : L Kumara to Pujara, Century! Full and on the stumps, Pujara clips it through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. Brings up his century as well. He has been the unsung hero in the last few years for Indian cricket. He will want to ensure that he makes it a big one. It has been a chance-less knock honestly. |
| 12th Test ton for Cheteshwar Pujara. |
| 66.6 : L Kumara to Pujara, FOUR! Brilliant! Full from Kumar, Pujara comes forward and drives it hard into the ground. The ball bounces over the cover fielder and runs into the fence for a boundary. |
| Dilruwan Perera called on for a bowl. |
| 67.1 : D Perera to Rahane, A tad shorter around off, punched to long on for a single. |
| 67.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara comes forward and turns it towards the leg side. |
| 67.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Clips it to the right of the square leg fielder but not for any runs. |
| 67.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Flatter around middle, Pujara defends it off the inner half of the bat. |
| 67.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller around off, clipped through mid on for a single. |
| 67.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Eases one to long on for a single. |
| 68.1 : L Kumara to A Rahane, Shorter in length, Rahane controls his pull down to fine leg for a single. |
| 68.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter around off, nudged towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 68.3 : L Kumara to Rahane, Good length around off, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 68.4 : L Kumara to Rahane, Good length around off, tucked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 68.5 : L Kumara to Pujara, Goes round the wicket, angles it short and around off, Pujara sways away from the line of the ball. |
| 68.6 : L Kumara to Pujara, Banged in short, Pujara stands tall and defends it off his back foot. |
| The umpire is having a look at the ball. |
| 69.1 : D Perera to Rahane, Floats it around off, Rahane comes down the wicket, lunges forward to defend but is hit on his pads. A mild appeal turned down. |
| 69.2 : D Perera to Rahane, Turns it towards the leg side from his body. |
| 69.3 : D Perera to Rahane, Clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 69.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Flatter on middle and leg, turned towards mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 69.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara comes forward and blocks it. |
| 69.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Comes down and clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 70.1 : L Kumara to Pujara, Good length around leg, Pujara defends it towards the leg side. |
| 70.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Shorter in length around middle, Pujara gets out of the way in time. |
| 70.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, Good length around off, Pujara gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 70.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Full and on the pads, clipped through square leg for a single. |
| 70.5 : L Kumara to Rahane, Shorter in length around middle, Rahane plays a half-pull towards mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 70.6 : L Kumara to Rahane, Shorter in length around off and middle, Rahane controls his pull to the right of mid-wicket. |
| 71.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Floats it on middle, Pujara turns it towards mid-wicket. |
| 71.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Lands it around off, Pujara defends it. |
| 71.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Flatter on middle, Pujara turns it towards square leg from his crease. |
| 71.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Goes back and punches it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 71.5 : D Perera to Rahane, FOUR! Up and over! Floats it around off, Rahane comes down the track and goes over the mid off region for a boundary. Smart shot! |
| 71.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Shorter outside off, punched through cover-point for a couple of runs. |
| Drinks! A much better period of play for the home side. They have taken the wicket of Kohli and have kept the runs in check. India will want to play through to stumps without more hiccups. |
| 72.1 : L Kumara to Pujara, Comes around the wicket, fires it around leg, Pujara gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 72.2 : L Kumara to Pujara, Dug in really short this time, Cheteshwar sits under the bumper. |
| 72.3 : L Kumara to Pujara, Again a short one around middle and off, Pujara stays tall in his crease and defends it. |
| 72.4 : L Kumara to Pujara, Wide! Again a short one, Pujara lets it sail over him. The umpire signals it as a wide as it is too high. |
| L Kumara to Pujara, FOUR! Delightful! Fuller outside off, Pujara leans into the drive and crunches it through the cover region for a boundary. Not a single fielder moved there. |
| 72.5 : L Kumara to Pujara, Slower delivery around leg, clipped through the mid-wicket region for a couple. |
| 72.6 : L Kumara to Pujara, Length delivery outside off, punched towards the fielder at short covers. |
| 73.1 : D Perera to Rahane, Shortish around middle and leg, Rahane camps back and punches it towards long on for a single. |
| 73.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller around leg, clipped towards square leg by Pujara. |
| 73.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated around middle and off, Che stays in his crease and defends it well. |
| 73.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller into the pads, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Another short delivery, allows Rahane to camp back to punch it towards long on for a single. The mid-wicket fielder put in a dive to stop it but was unable to reach it. Dhananjaya de Silva the substitue seems to have hurt his left shoulder in the process. He seems to be in pain. |
| Now then, Dhananjaya de Silva seems to be in pain and has called for the physio. Not needed since they can do the treatment off the field. The over rate is already very bad. |
| 73.6 : Perera to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara gets his pad in between to defend it. A mild appeal is turned down. |
| Danushka Gunathilaka returns for a bowl. |
| 74.1 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Floated around middle and leg, Rahane prods forward in defence. |
| 74.2 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Around leg, nudged towards the fielder at square leg. |
| 74.3 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Sprayed down the leg side, Rahane tries to run it down. Gets a glove on it and the ball sneaks through the keeper's legs. A single is taken. |
| 74.4 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara gets behind the line of the ball to defend. |
| 74.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Floated around leg, Pujara clips it towards mid-wicket. |
| 74.6 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara stays deep and punches it through backward point for a single. |
| 75.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara gets forward and defends it neatly. |
| 75.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated around leg, Che comes down the track and clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 75.3 : D Perera to Rahane, Tossed up around off, Rahane gets to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 75.4 : D Perera to Rahane, A bit quicker around leg, worked towards short mid-wicket off the back foot. |
| 75.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 75.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Fuller around middle and off, Ajinkya gets forward and defends it neatly. |
| 76.1 : D Gunathilaka to C Pujara, Shortish around leg, Pujara camps back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 76.2 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Fuller around leg, Rahane gets forward and defends it on the leg side. |
| 76.3 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Around leg, clipped towards the fielder at short mid-wicket. |
| 76.4 : D Gunathilaka to A Rahane, Full toss outside off, flicked towards the fielder at short mid-wicket who fumbles and allows the batsmen to take a single. 350 up for India. |
| 76.5 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Che gets forward and defends it with ease. |
| 76.6 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Pujara gets outside the line and clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 77.1 : D Perera to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara gets forward and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. Another fumble which allows the batsmen take a single with ease. |
| 77.2 : D Perera to Rahane, Fuller around off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 77.3 : D Perera to Rahane, A bit shortish outside off, Rahane camps back, gets in position and slaps it through covers for a couple. |
| 77.4 : D Perera to Rahane, Rahane dances down the track and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 77.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated around off, Cheteshwar Pujara looks to defend it. Gets it off the inside edge towards the vacant short leg region. |
| 77.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Pujara gets forward and presents another front foot defence. |
| 78.1 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Quicker outside off, Rahane defends it towards point. Pujara calls for a single and Rahane responds. |
| 78.2 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara drives it back to the bowler. Gunathilaka goes to his right and makes a good stop. |
| 78.3 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Clipped towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 78.4 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Fuller around leg, Che clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 78.5 : D Gunathilaka to Rahane, Eased down to long on for a single. |
| 78.6 : D Gunathilaka to Pujara, Angling around off, Pujara gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 79.1 : D Perera to Rahane, A bit short around off, Rahane camps back and punches it towards the fielder at covers. |
| 79.2 : D Perera to Rahane, Around off, dabbed through the point region for a single. |
| 79.3 : D Perera to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it off the inner half. |
| 79.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Sprayed down the leg side, Pujara tickles it fine past the keeper for a single. |
| 79.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Rahane lunges forward and defends it with ease. |
| 79.6 : D Perera to Rahane, Tossed up outside off, Ajinkya gets forward and flicks it towards wide long on for a single. |
| The second new ball is available now and is TAKEN! |
| Nuwan Pradeep handed the new red cherry. |
| 80.1 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length delivery outside off, Rahane stays tall and defends it towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 80.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Fuller around off, pushed towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 80.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, On a length and outside off, Pujara covers his stumps and lets it through. |
| 80.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, Cheteshwar shoulders his arms to it. |
| 80.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Length delivery outside off, pushes it off the bottom half towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 80.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Length delivery outside off, punched back to the bowler. |
| Rangana Herath is called back for a bowl. |
| 81.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated outside off, Pujara dances down the track and clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 81.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up around off, Pujara drives it towards wide mid off for a single. |
| 81.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Quicker around leg, Rahane defends it in front of the fielder at short leg. |
| 81.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Tossed up outside off, Ajinkya lunges forward and defends it well. |
| 81.5 : R Herath to Rahane, Floated around middle and off, Rahane defends it really late. Gets it towards short leg off the inner half. |
| 81.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane stays in his crease and punches it back to the bowler. |
| 82.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length delivery around off, Pujara pushes at it, goes off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 82.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Fuller around middle and leg, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 82.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angling into the batsman, clipped towards fine leg for a single. |
| 82.4 : N Pradeep to A Rahane, Short delivery into the batsman, Rahane pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 82.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, Pujara camps back and punches it through point for a single. |
| 82.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Fuller outside off, driven towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 83.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Quicker into the pads, Pujara stays in his crease and defends that on the leg side. |
| 83.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it towards mid on for a single. |
| 83.3 : R Herath to Rahane, A bit short outside off, Rahane sits down a bit and punches it through the cover region for a single. |
| 83.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Outside off, Pujara gets forward and defends it well. |
| 83.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around middle and off, Che lunges forward in defence. |
| 83.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller outside off, driven towards wide mid off for a single. |
| 84.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, FOUR! Terrific! Short and wide outside off, Pujara stays back and cuts it really late, past backward point for a boundary. |
| 84.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Angling into the pads, clipped through backward square leg for a single. |
| This is now the highest score for India on Day 1 of an away Test. Some feat, that. |
| 84.3 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Length delivery outside off, Rahane hangs his bat in defence. |
| 84.4 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Shortish outside off, Rahane gets behind the line of the ball and defends it. |
| 84.5 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Four Leg byes! Sprayed down the leg side, Rahane tries to tickle it fine. Fails to make contact and the ball brushes his pads and rushes away to the fence. The fine leg fielder cannot cut it off and four runs are added to the total. |
| 84.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 85.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated down the leg side, Pujara adjusts a bit and clips it through the square leg region for a single. |
| 85.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 85.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Spinning in from outside off, Rahane defends it in front of the fielder at short leg. |
| 85.4 : R Herath to A Rahane, Rahane lunges forward and drives it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 85.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Cheteshwar Pujara gets behind the line of the ball and defends it on the leg side. |
| 85.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it easily. |
| Lahiru Kumara is back for a bowl. |
| 86.1 : L Kumara to Rahane, Yorker outside off, Rahane digs it out really well. A brilliant ball but equally well played by the batsman there. |
| 86.2 : L Kumara to Rahane, Back of a length delivery outside off, nipping away. Rahane lets it through to the keeper. |
| 86.3 : L Kumara to Rahane, Length delivery outside off, Rahane drives it through covers off the outer half for a couple. |
| 86.4 : L Kumara to Rahane, Short delivery outside off, Ajinkya stays tall and defends it on the off side. |
| 86.5 : L Kumara to Rahane, Short delivery around off, dabbed through cover-point for a single. |
| 100-run stand between Pujara and Rahane. |
| 86.6 : L Kumara to Pujara, FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Pujara stays a tad back, transfers his weight back and punches it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 87.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Floated outside off, Rahane prods forward and defends it well. |
| 87.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Quicker outside off, Ajinkya pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 87.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara dances down the track, drives it through the extra cover region. The fielder from mid off dives to his left and makes a good stop to save the boundary. The batsmen run a single. |
| 87.4 : R Herath to Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 87.5 : R Herath to Rahane, First signs of spin! Outside off, spinning away, Rahane opens the face of his bat and glides it past point for a single. |
| 87.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, defended on the off side. |
| Dilruwan Perera is brought in for an over. |
| 88.1 : D Perera to Rahane, Shorter down the leg side, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 88.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller into pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| Harsha Bhogle tweets - After Dhawan's fireworks, Pujara's composure has ensured Sri Lanka cannot win. The longer India bat,the more the spinners will enjoy bowling. |
| 88.3 : D Perera to Rahane, Shortish into the pads, Rahane flicks it through mid-wicket for another single. |
| 88.4 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller around middle and off, Pujara gets forward and defends it. |
| 88.5 : D Perera to Pujara, Fuller around leg, clipped towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 88.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Tossed up around off, Che comes down the track and clips it towards wide long on for a single. |
| 89.1 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, Pujara glides it past the slip fielder for a single. |
| 89.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Fuller around off, Rahane gets forward and defends it neatly. |
| 89.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Tossed up outside off, Rahane reaches out to it and blocks it away. |
| 89.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Fuller around leg, clipped through the square leg region for a single. |
| 89.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Quicker into the pads, Pujara defends it in front of the fielder at short leg. The fielder there has a needless shy at the striker's end. |
| 89.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Floated around off, Cheteshwar Pujara stays back and defends it on the off side. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| A brilliant day of Test cricket for India! They won a vital toss and have made sure they drive home the advantage registering their highest score on Day 1 of an away Test. Abhinav Mukund threw his wicket away and Shikhar Dhawan offered a chance but the hosts didn't take it. That was it. What followed was mayhem as Dhawan combined with Cheteshwar Pujara to share a 253-run stand in real quick time. While the former entertained the crowd with his strokeplay, the latter was more than happy to play s |
| Dhawan departed at the stroke of Tea on 190 and Virat Kohli followed him but the pair of Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane consolidated India's position at the top. Both played themselves in without offering any chance as they wore down an undisciplined bowling attack, barring Nuwan Pradeep who bowled the best to claim all three wickets. Pujara has once again been the difference for India as he ensured they did not lose sight of the job on hand. The visitors will aim to bat the hosts out of the game tom |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello all! Welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India at the Galle International Stadium. The visitors have made a strong start to this game and the hosts will know that they have their task cut out. Having conceded a lot of runs already, they will be hoping for some damage control. The best way to do that is by taking wickets at regular intervals. A lot rides on Herath, for the umpteenth time in his career. |
| The tourists on the other hand will be more than happy with the platform they have set. They will aim to build on this and post a massive total on the board. Batting is expected to get tougher so every run scored in the first innings will be of utmost importance. Let's see how both teams fare today. Stay tuned for all the action. |
| Pitch report - Russel Arnold reckons that there are rough areas developing but the pitch will be good to bat on though. Opines that it was not a 399/3 deck and Sri Lanka bowled poorly. He adds that the bowlers need to be fuller and make the batsmen feel uncomfortable. He ends by saying that spinners will get more purchase as the day progresses, as obvious as the sun rising in the east. |
| Game time! The players are out in the middle. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane stride out to continue batting. Sri Lanka will want an early wicket, Diluwan Perera to start the day for them. A slip and short leg in place. Here we go... |
| 90.1 : D Perera to Rahane, Run to begin! Tossed up around off, Rahane lunges and turns it through mid-wicket for a single. 400 up for India. |
| 90.2 : D Perera to Pujara, Goes round the wicket, bowls it around off, Pujara comes down and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 90.3 : D Perera to Rahane, Floats it around middle, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 90.4 : D Perera to Rahane, Loopy around middle, Rahane comes down the wicket and hits one towards mid on. That was nicely done. |
| 90.5 : D Perera to Rahane, Rahane tucks one through backward square leg for a single. |
| 90.6 : D Perera to Pujara, Around leg, turned through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Nothing threatening in that over. |
| Nuwan Pradeep to run in from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 91.1 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length outside off, left alone by Rahane. |
| 91.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Very wide outside off, no shot offered. |
| 91.3 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Similar length, closer to the stumps but still wide enough for an easy leave. |
| 91.4 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Flashy! Short and wide outside off, this time Rahane feels for it and throws his bat at it. The ball whizzes past the bat and the players appeal in vain. |
| 91.5 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length angling around off, Rahane turns in his crease and tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 91.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Fuller outside off, Rahane comes forward and drives it towards mid off. Maiden to begin with for Pradeep. |
| Just an over then for Dilruwan, Rangana Herath brings himself on for a bowl. |
| Sri Lanka have gone upstairs to take a review for caught behind against Cheteshwar Pujara. |
| 92.1 : R Herath to Pujara, NOT OUT! Nice start! Floats it around off, spins a touch, Pujara is plays inside the line of the ball and is beaten all ends up. The keeper collects the ball and appeals. The umpire says no though. Sri Lanka go for the review. Ultra Edge detects nothing and that is not out. There was visible turn on offer and that excited the players. India won't mind that actually. They would rather enjoy watching the ball turn. |
| 92.2 : R Herath to Pujara, Pujara comes forward and nudges it towards the short leg fielder. |
| 92.3 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around off, pushed into the covers. |
| 92.4 : R Herath to Pujara, Fuller around the stumps, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 92.5 : R Herath to Pujara, Loopy around middle, Pujara comes forward and defends it in front of the short leg fielder. |
| 92.6 : R Herath to Pujara, Floats it around off, Pujara gets in line and defends it. Maiden for Herath as well. |
| Interestingly, Rangana Herath is the man who has used the most number of reviews ever since DRS has come into the game. He has a 20 percent success rate. |
| 93.1 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length around off, played towards gully by Rahane. |
| 93.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Rahane strides forward and pushes it into covers. |
| 93.3 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length outside off, Rahane comes forward and defends it. |
| 93.4 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Bouncer! Almost did a Kohli, Rahane! Shorter in length around middle and leg, Rahane goes for the pull before pulling out of the shot at the last moment. He nearly lost his balance too and fell down. Well bowled by Pradeep. |
| 93.5 : N Pradeep to A Rahane, FOUR! Classical! Pradeep bowls a length ball outside off, expecting Rahane to have his weight back. Ajinkya though is up for it and drives it on the rise through covers for a boundary. Good stuff! |
| 93.6 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Back of a length outside off, played towards point by Rahane for a single. |
| 94.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane stays back and defends it watchfully. |
| 94.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Comes down and bunts one back to the bowler who fumbles but no harm done. |
| 94.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Flatter around middle and leg, Rahane goes back and defends it. |
| 94.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Arm ball around middle, Rahane comes down and pushes it towards mid off for a quick single. Well run, that. |
| 94.5 : R Herath to C Pujara, Fuller around off, turned towards mid on for a single. |
| 94.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it around middle, turned towards mid-wicket from his crease. |
| 95.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, FOUR! Played Che! Pradeep goes wide of the crease, angles it around the stumps, Pujara tucks it nicely to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Brings up his 6th score of over 150 in Tests! |
| 95.2 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Similar ball but wide outside off, left alone. |
| 95.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara comes forward and pushes it into covers. |
| 95.4 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Length ball around off, Pujara defends it watchfully. |
| 95.5 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Shortish and wide outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 95.6 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Length around off, Pujara comes forward and blocks it. |
| 96.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Darted around middle, Rahane comes down and mistimes his push towards mid on. |
| 96.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it around middle, defended in front of short leg. |
| 96.3 : R Herath to Rahane, FOUR! Hammered! Tossed up around off, Rahane slinks down the wicket and clobbers it through mid on for a boundary. He has played well so far and will want to convert this fifty. Maiden one against Sri Lanka, to go along with a century. 100 up for Herath! |
| 12th Test fifty for Ajinkya Rahane! |
| 96.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Punches it through covers for a couple. |
| 96.5 : R Herath to Rahane, Comes forward and defends it watchfully. |
| 96.6 : R Herath to Rahane, Turns it towards mid on from his crease. |
| 97.1 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Good length around off, tucked through backward square leg for a single. |
| 97.2 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Good length outside off, punched through point from Rahane. |
| 97.3 : N Pradeep to Pujara, Shorter in length on middle and leg, unlike Kohli and Rahane, Pujara is happy to leave it all alone. |
| 97.4 : Pradeep to Pujara, OUT! Pradeep takes another one! Nuwan bowls one in the area, just outside off, Pujara has to play at it, the ball straightens after pitching. The ball goes off the outside edge and Dickwella accepts the catch. Commentator's curse maybe. End of a brilliant, brilliant knock by Cheteshwar Pujara though. He gets a rousing reception from his teammates. Sri Lanka owe the success to Pradeep. |
| Ravichandran Ashwin strides out to the middle. |
| 97.5 : N Pradeep to R Ashwin, EDGED! Back of a length around middle, Ashwin hangs his bat at it. The ball goes off the edge but falls short of the fielder at gully. Pradeep has bowled his heart out here. |
| 97.6 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Good length outside off, Ashwin looks to play it square of the wicket but is beaten all ends up. |
| 98.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it around leg, Rahane comes forward and blocks it. |
| 98.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Tossed up around off, Rahane comes down to play but mistimes it back down the wicket. |
| 98.3 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane presses forward and smothers this one into the wicket. |
| 98.4 : R Herath to Rahane, Around off, turned through mid on for a single. |
| 98.5 : R Herath to Ashwin, Ashwin prods forward and defends one back down the wicket. |
| 98.6 : R Herath to Ashwin, Darts one down the leg side, Ashwin looks to work it through the leg side but is beaten. The keeper looks to take the bails off but Ashwin never left the crease. |
| 99.1 : N Pradeep to Rahane, Fuller around off from wide of the crease, turns through backward square leg for a single. |
| 99.2 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Good length around off, Ashwin stands tall and defends it. |
| 99.3 : N Pradeep to R Ashwin, FOUR! Top shot! Length ball outside off, Ashwin punches it on the up through covers for a majestic boundary. That was superbly timed. |
| 99.4 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Length ball outside off, pushed into covers. |
| Leg gully in place. |
| 99.5 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Slants it down the leg side, Ashwin fails to clip it away. |
| 99.6 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Full and outside off, Ashwin presses forward and plays a lovely cover drive. The fielder at cover gets a hand to it and stops it from going through. Two runs taken. |
| 100.1 : R Herath to Rahane, Floats it around middle, Rahane comes down to play but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The short leg fielder cannot get to it. |
| 100.2 : R Herath to Rahane, Rahane turns it through mid on for a single. |
| 100.3 : R Herath to Ashwin, Ashwin opens the face and pushes it towards covers from his crease. |
| 100.4 : R Herath to Ashwin, Floats it around off, Ashwin comes forward and defends it. |
| 100.5 : R Herath to Ashwin, Ashwin turns it towards the leg side from his crease. |
| 100.6 : R Herath to Ashwin, Flatter around middle, Ashwin stays back and defends it. |
| Break for Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara brought on for a bowl. |
| 101.1 : L Kumara to Rahane, OUT! The change of bowling works! Kumara bowls it full and outside off, Rahane looks to drive it through but gets an outside edge. Dimuth Karunaratne takes a good catch to his right. That is a very good start to the day for Lahiru. Rahane will feel he threw away his wicket there. |
| 0.0 : Wriddhiman Saha is the next man in. |
| 101.2 : L Kumara to Saha, Yorker first up to Saha, dig out by the batsman watchfully. |
| 101.3 : L Kumara to Saha, Shorter length outside off, left alone by Saha. |
| 101.4 : L Kumara to Saha, Length ball outside off, Saha comes forward and defends it. |
| 101.5 : L Kumara to Saha, Back of a length around off, Saha gets into an awkward tangle but defends it well. |
| A deep short leg in place. |
| 101.6 : L Kumara to Saha, Saha takes the bottom hand off the bat and defends this short ball around off. Well played, that. Wicket maiden for Kumara. |
| 102.1 : R Herath to Ashwin, Ashwin comes forward and blocks this one. |
| 102.2 : R Herath to Ashwin, Looks to drive but gets it off the outer half towards point. |
| 102.3 : R Herath to Ashwin, Floats it around off, Ashwin defends it. |
| 102.4 : R Herath to Ashwin, Pushes it towards mid off from his crease. |
| 102.5 : R Herath to R Ashwin, FOUR! Nice shot! Floats it around the stumps, Ashwin comes down and clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. That was nicely hit. |
| 102.6 : R Herath to Ashwin, Tossed up around off, Ashwin comes forward and defends it. |
| 103.1 : L Kumara to Saha, Fuller around off, clipped towards mid on from his crease. |
| 103.2 : L Kumara to Saha, Good length outside off, Saha punches it towards covers. |
| 103.3 : L Kumara to Saha, Shorter in length around middle, Saha ducks. |
| 103.4 : L Kumara to W Saha, FOUR! Timing! Fullish around off, Saha presents the full face of the bat and gets it through mid on for a boundary. Good shot that from Saha despite the short one that he received before this. |
| 103.5 : L Kumara to Saha, Bouncer! Short again from Kumara, Saha is happy to sit under it. Signaled wide by the umpire. |
| L Kumara to Saha, Length outside off, Saha pushes at it from his crease but is beaten. |
| 103.6 : L Kumara to Saha, Good length outside off, Saha comes forward and defends it. |
| 104.1 : R Herath to R Ashwin, FOUR! Sublime! Floats it around off, Ashwin presses forward and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 104.2 : R Herath to Ashwin, Flatter on the pads now, turned through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 104.3 : R Herath to Ashwin, FOUR! Excellent! Herath bowls it outside off, Ashwin strides forward and drives it through covers yet again for a boundary. He is really batting well. |
| 104.4 : R Herath to Ashwin, Lunges forward and pushes it to short cover. |
| 104.5 : R Herath to Ashwin, Slices it towards point from his crease. |
| 104.6 : R Herath to Ashwin, Ashwin prods forward and defends it. |
| Drinks! A decent session of play for the home side, they have conceded 52 runs but have also taken a couple of wickets to boost their confidence. India will want to bat on and on and on. |
| 105.1 : L Kumara to Saha, Short delivery into the batsman, Saha tries to fend it away. Gets an inside edge to it and the ball goes through the backward square leg region for a single. Not comfortable there, Saha. |
| 105.2 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Good length delivery around off, Ashwin stays tall and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 105.3 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Angling into the hips, Ashwin shuffles a bit and tucks it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 105.4 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Fuller around off, Ravichandran drives it towards mid on. No runs taken. |
| 105.5 : L Kumara to Ashwin, FOUR! Fuller outside off, Ashwin leans into the drive and creams it through the point region. The backward point fielder gives it a chase but the ball wins the race to the fence. |
| 105.6 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Now fuller into the pads, Ashwin just clips it elegantly through the mid-wicket region. The fielder gives it a chase and saves a run for his team. |
| Dilruwan Perera is brought back for a bowl. |
| 106.1 : D Perera to Ashwin, Floated outside off, Ashwin shuffles, covers his stumps and tries to let it through. The ball spins in late and nicks his back pad. The players appeal but the umpire is not interested. |
| 106.2 : D Perera to Ashwin, A bit short around off, Ashwin camps back and defends it neatly. |
| 106.3 : D Perera to Ashwin, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 106.4 : D Perera to Ashwin, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Ashwin waits for it and fancies a late cut, gets it past the backward point fielder for a boundary. |
| 106.5 : D Perera to Ashwin, Fuller around off, Ashwin prods forward and defends it. |
| 106.6 : D Perera to Ashwin, Tossed up around off, Ashwin stays in his crease and punches it back down the track. |
| 107.1 : L Kumara to Saha, Good length delivery angling around off, Saha gets behind the line of the ball to defend it. |
| 107.2 : L Kumara to Saha, Fuller outside off, Wriddhiman prods forward and defends it towards covers. |
| 107.3 : L Kumara to Saha, Fuller around middle and leg, clipped towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 107.4 : L Kumara to Saha, Short delivery around off, Saha choses to duck underneath it. |
| 107.5 : L Kumara to Saha, Another short delivery into the batsman, Saha sits under that bumper. |
| 107.6 : L Kumara to Saha, Three short balls in a row, Saha choses to duck underneath it again. Such bowling is never going to land you a wicket. |
| 108.1 : D Perera to R Ashwin, Around off on a shortish length, Ashwin punches it towards long on for a single. |
| 108.2 : D Perera to Saha, Tossed up outside off, Saha reaches out to it, drives it through covers for a single. |
| 108.3 : D Perera to R Ashwin, Again floated outside off, Ashwin plays a drive through covers. The deep point fielder cuts it off and the batsmen run a couple. |
| 108.4 : D Perera to Ashwin, Quicker around off this time, Ashwin pushes it straight back to the bowler. |
| 108.5 : D Perera to Ashwin, FOUR! Top shot! Again tossed up outside off, Ashwin fancies his elegant drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 108.6 : D Perera to Ashwin, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 109.1 : Kumara to W Saha, FOUR! Dug in short outside off, Saha stays tall and tries to fend it away. Gets it off the splice, over the slip fielder's head for a boundary. |
| 109.2 : L Kumara to Saha, Outside off, Saha chops it through point for a single. |
| 109.3 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Short delivery outside off, Ashwin ducks under it. |
| 109.4 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Fuller around off, Ashwin drives it back to the bowler. Kumara tries to stop it, ends up diverting it towards extra cover for a single. |
| 109.5 : L Kumara to Saha, Good length delivery around off, Saha punches it back to the bowler. |
| 109.6 : L Kumara to Saha, Dug in short down the leg side, Saha ducks under the bumper. |
| 110.1 : D Perera to Ashwin, Sprayed down the leg side, Ashwin plays the paddle scoop, past the keeper for a couple. |
| 110.2 : D Perera to Ashwin, Floated outside off, Ravichandran lunges forward and defends it neatly. |
| 110.3 : D Perera to Ashwin, Fuller into the pads, Ashwin clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 110.4 : D Perera to Ashwin, Full into the pads, Ashwin flicks it through the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 110.5 : D Perera to Saha, Floated around off, Saha drives it straight to the fielder at mid off. |
| 110.6 : D Perera to Saha, Saha prods forward and defends it neatly. |
| 111.1 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Length delivery around off, Ashwin gets forward and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 111.2 : L Kumara to Ashwin, Sprayed full and down the leg side at a slower pace, Ashwin defends it towards the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 111.3 : Kumara to Ashwin, Full around off, Ashwin digs it out through the point region for a single. |
| 111.4 : L Kumara to Saha, Fuller around middle and off, Saha clips it towards the fielder at mid on. |
| 111.5 : L Kumara to Saha, Short and wide outside off, Saha shoulders his arms to it. |
| 111.6 : L Kumara to Saha, Dug in short this time around middle and leg, Wriddhiman sits under that bumper. |
| 112.1 : D Perera to Ashwin, Spilled down the leg side, Ashwin defends it on the leg side. |
| 112.2 : D Perera to Ashwin, Floated outside off, Ravichandran prods forward in defence. Gets it off the outer half through point for a single. |
| 50-run stand Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha! |
| 112.3 : D Perera to Saha, Shortish around off, Saha punches it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 112.4 : D Perera to Ashwin, Floated outside off, Ashwin drives it through covers for another single. |
| 112.5 : D Perera to Saha, Quicker around leg, Saha comes forward and blocks it on the leg side. |
| 112.6 : D Perera to Saha, FOUR! Powerful! Floated around off, Saha kneels and sweeps it through the square leg region for a boundary. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is back for a bowl. |
| 113.1 : N Pradeep to R Ashwin, Fuller around leg, Ashwin flicks it towards the fielder at leg gully. Kusal Mendis the fielder there collects it quickly and has a shy at the striker's end. He misses but had he hit, Ashwin would have been gone. The batsmen run a couple on overthrows. |
| 113.2 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Ashwin gets forward and defends it neatly. |
| 113.3 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Length delivery around off, Ashwin guides it towards the fielder at gully. |
| 113.4 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Back of a length delivery outside off, Ashwin stands tall and punches it towards the fielder at covers. |
| 113.5 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Wide! Dug in really short this time, Ashwin lets the ball sail over him this time. The umpire signals it as a wide. |
| N Pradeep to Ashwin, Length delivery angling in from outside off, Ravichandran gets behind the line of the ball and defends it well. |
| 113.6 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, Fuller around off, Ashwin drives it towards covers. The fielder there goes to his right and makes a good stop. |
| Rangana Herath calls himself back for a bowl. |
| 114.1 : R Herath to Saha, OUT! Herath strikes and gets his first of the night! Tossed up around leg, Saha gets a bit forward and tries to go downtown. Hits it straight to the fielder at mid on. Dilruwan Perera pouches a safe catch and Wriddhiman has to walk back to the hut. It's taken 32 overs to land the Sri Lankan skipper his first wicket. |
| 0.0 : Debutant Hardik Pandya makes his way out to the middle. He will look to impress on his Test debut. |
| 114.2 : R Herath to Pandya, Floated around middle and off, Hardik Pandya prods forward and defends it neatly. |
| 114.3 : R Herath to Pandya, Pandya lunges forward and defends it again. |
| 114.4 : R Herath to Pandya, FOUR! First runs in Test cricket for Pandya! Hardik is done watching, steps out to the floated delivery around off and smacks that through the mid on region for a boundary. |
| 114.5 : R Herath to Pandya, Fuller around off, Pandya drives it back to the bowler. |
| 114.6 : R Herath to Pandya, A bit shortish around off, Pandya punches it towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 115.1 : N Pradeep to Ashwin, OUT! Pradeep gets his fifer! Comes around the wicket and bowls a short delivery down the leg side. Ashwin goes for the pull, ends up gloving it and the ball flies through to the keeper. Dickwella accepts it gleefully and the Indian offie has to start walking just three runs short of the fifty. A good innings comes to an end. Nuwan gets his first fifer of his Test career. |
| 0.0 : Ravindra Jadeja is the next man in. |
| 115.2 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Good length delivery around off, Jadeja gets behind the line of the ball and defends it towards covers. |
| 115.3 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Length delivery around off, Ravindra stays back and blocks it away neatly. |
| 115.4 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Good length delivery outside off, Jadeja dabs it towards the fielder at point and calls for a single. The gully fielder chases it down and has a shy at the non-striker's end. He hits but Jadeja is well in, the ball deflects through the mid-wicket region for another run. |
| 115.5 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Jadeja glides it through the point region for a single. The umpire has a talk with Jadeja about his running between the wickets. The umpire gives him an official warning. |
| 115.6 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Hardik Pandya stays in his crease and defends it towards point. |
| 116.1 : R Herath to Jadeja, FOUR! Shortish outside off, Jadeja stays deep in his crease and punches it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 116.2 : R Herath to Jadeja, Around off, Ravindra defends it towards the fielder at slip. |
| 116.3 : R Herath to Jadeja, Tossed up outside off, Jadeja gets to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 116.4 : R Herath to Jadeja, Angling into the pads, tucked in front of square leg for a single. |
| 116.5 : R Herath to Pandya, Floated outside off, Pandya lunges forward and defends it. |
| 116.6 : R Herath to Pandya, Fires this one in the line of the stumps, Hardik defends it neatly. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| 104 runs, 4 wickets - Session in favor of Sri Lanka? Marginally maybe! The home side will be delighted with their work today. Pradeep led the way once again taking two important wickets. Both Pujara and Rahane could not do much but Ashwin chipped in with a fine 47 to drive his side ahead. Herath and Kumara took a wicket each to keep India in check. The tourists though will be happy with the score they have, they will look to get over 600 and then see from there. Sri Lanka will want to keep takin |
| .... Day 2, Session 2 .... |
| The players are out in the middle for play. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are out to bat. Sri Lanka start the session with Nuwan Pradeep. Should be interesting to see how India bat in this session. A slip in place for him along with a leg slip. |
| 117.1 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Good length outside off, Jadeja punches it nicely off the back foot and gets a boundary to covers. Expect nothing else from these two. |
| 0.0 : No leg slip after the boundary, extra protection on the off side now. |
| 117.2 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Good length outside off, punched to cover-point by Jadeja. |
| 117.3 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Shorter in length around middle and leg, Jadeja lets it go after thinking to pull at first. No point bowling this after taking out the leg slip. |
| 117.4 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Length ball outside off, left alone by Jadeja. |
| 117.5 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Angled on the body of the batsman, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 117.6 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Shorter in length, Pandya was waiting for it and sits underneath it well in time. |
| Rangana Herath to bowl from the other end. |
| 118.1 : R Herath to Jadeja, Lands it outside off, spins in, Herath stays back and defends it. |
| 118.2 : R Herath to Jadeja, Slants it down the leg side, Jadeja lets it go. The keeper fumbles and allows a bye. |
| 118.3 : R Herath to Pandya, Floats it on middle, Pandya lunges forward and defends it. |
| 118.4 : R Herath to Pandya, Shorter and outside off, Pandya shapes to cut it away but misses. |
| 118.5 : R Herath to Pandya, Loopy on middle, Pandya comes forward and defends it. |
| 118.6 : R Herath to Pandya, DROPPED! Floats it outside off, Pandya pushes at it from his crease. The ball takes the outside edge and flies quickly to first slip. Dimuth Karunaratne reacts a touch late and ends up spilling it. That should have been gobbled. Pandya was walking but spotted that he has got a life. Herath won't be happy. |
| 119.1 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 119.2 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Wider outside off, Jadeja looks to flay it away but misses. |
| 119.3 : N Pradeep to R Jadeja, Cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 119.4 : Pradeep to H Pandya, FOUR! Top edged! Shorter in length, Pandya goes for the pull. He gets a top edge which flies over the keeper for a boundary. That wasn't far from the boundary ropes and was almost a six. Morale victory for the bowler. |
| 119.5 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Short one again but way down the leg side, wobbles away as the keeper dives to his left and stops it. |
| 119.6 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Shorter in length around middle, Pandya looks to ramp it but misses. The keeper fumbles and allows a bye. Sloppy work! |
| 120.1 : R Herath to Pandya, Floats it around off, Pandya sweeps it in front of square on the leg side for a single. Pradeep covered good ground to stop it near the fence at square leg. |
| 120.2 : R Herath to Jadeja, Jadeja prods forward and defends it watchfully. |
| 120.3 : R Herath to Jadeja, Flatter on middle and leg, turned towards short leg by Ravindra. |
| 120.4 : R Herath to Jadeja, This one comes in after pitching, Jadeja defends it off his back foot. |
| 120.5 : R Herath to Jadeja, Stands tall and punches it to long on for a single. |
| 120.6 : R Herath to Pandya, Fuller around off, Pandya comes forward and blocks it towards the leg side. |
| 121.1 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, Snorter! Shorter in length around off and middle, Jadeja looks to ride the bounce and fend it away but the ball bounces more on the southpaw and is caught in an awkward tangle. The keeper collects but only the bowler is the one appealing. What a ball though! |
| 0.0 : Ravindra Jadeja has been bowled. The umpire tells him to wait to check if the bowler has overstepped. |
| 121.2 : N Pradeep to Jadeja, OUT! Pradeep, you beauty! Yorker on off and middle, Jadeja looks to clip it through but misses the ball. It clatters into the stumps and that is it for Jadeja. He has been worked over brilliantly here. Best figures in First Class cricket for Nuwan. The umpire asks Jadeja to wait to check for the no ball but replays find him fine. Brilliant, just brilliant by Pradeep. |
| Mohammed Shami is the penultimate man in. A leg gully in place for him. |
| 121.3 : N Pradeep to Shami, Full and into the stumps, Shami gets across and keeps it out. |
| 121.4 : N Pradeep to Shami, Fuller around off, Shami just drives it through the mid on region. The ball slows down near the ropes and he gets three runs to get off the mark. |
| 121.5 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Shorter in length, Pandya looks to ramp it through but is beaten. Expect a lot more shots. |
| 121.6 : N Pradeep to Pandya, FOUR! Thumped! Shorter in length, this time Pandya just stands tall and pumps it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 122.1 : R Herath to Shami, SIX! Up and over! Herath bowls it around off, Shami gets under it and just swings it over long on for a maximum. What a hit! |
| 122.2 : R Herath to M Shami, Shami drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 122.3 : R Herath to Pandya, Floats it around off, Pandya comes forward and defends it. |
| 122.4 : R Herath to Pandya, Flatter around middle, Pandya pushes it towards the outer half of the bat. |
| 122.5 : R Herath to Pandya, Quicker around off, Pandya chops it towards point from his crease. |
| 122.6 : R Herath to Pandya, Drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 123.1 : N Pradeep to Pandya, SIX! Into the stands! Shorter in length around off, Pandya was waiting for it and gets it over backward square leg for a biggie. This is now the highest score for India in the first innings of a Test in Sri Lanka. |
| 123.2 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Good length outside off, Pandya defends it. |
| 123.3 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Pandya goes back and punches it towards mid on for a single. |
| 123.4 : N Pradeep to Shami, Shorter in length, Shami mistimes his pull towards fine leg for a single. Kumara could not get to it in time to catch that. |
| 123.5 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Pitched up outside off, Pandya pushes it towards covers from his crease. |
| 123.6 : N Pradeep to Pandya, SIX! Another short ball from Pradeep, Pandya is up for it and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a maximum. |
| 124.1 : R Herath to Shami, Flatter on middle, punched towards wide mid on by Shami. |
| 124.2 : R Herath to Shami, Shami comes forward and defends it watchfully. |
| 124.3 : R Herath to Shami, Clipped wide of the mid on fielder for a run. |
| 124.4 : R Herath to Pandya, Floats it around off, swept to deep square leg for a single. |
| 124.5 : R Herath to Shami, SIX! Go fetch that! Floats it around off, Shami gets under it and launches it over the long off fence for a maximum. They are enjoying their time out there. 550 up for India! |
| 124.6 : R Herath to Shami, Flatter on middle and leg, worked through square leg for a single. |
| 125.1 : N Pradeep to Shami, Short but way down the leg side, Shami looks to put it away but misses. |
| 0.0 : Pandya has a word with Shami. No slips in place now. Gully goes to point. |
| 125.2 : N Pradeep to Shami, Slower short ball on middle and leg, Shami again misses his pull. |
| 125.3 : N Pradeep to Shami, Back of a length around middle and leg, Shami tucks it in front of mid-wicket. Pandya calls him through for a single. Karunaratne looks to have a shy at the bowler's end but misses. |
| Wide slip in place for Pandya. |
| 125.4 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Short and outside off, flayed to deep point for a single. |
| 125.5 : N Pradeep to Shami, Shorter in length, another swing and a miss for Shami. |
| 125.6 : N Pradeep to Shami, Same length and this time Shami miscues his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a single. That just lobbed over the infield and fell short of the fielder coming in from the deep. |
| Lahiru Kumara returns for a burst. |
| 126.1 : L Kumara to Shami, Good length around off, Shami looks to defend but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 126.2 : L Kumara to Pandya, Length ball around off, Pandya punches it back down the wicket. The bowler gets a hand to it and deflects it on the stumps at the bowler's end. No harm done since Shami was well inside the crease. The deflection off the stumps gets them a single. |
| 126.3 : L Kumara to M Shami, Shorter in length on middle, Shami controlls his pull shot all along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 126.4 : Kumara to H Pandya, Shorter in length, Pandya miscues his pull behind square leg for a single. |
| 126.5 : L Kumara to Shami, Good length outside off, Shami defends it towards point. |
| 126.6 : L Kumara to Shami, Banged in short, Shami plays a pull and is beaten all ends up. |
| 127.1 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Pandya clips it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 127.2 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Tad short outside off, Pandya punches it to deep point and refuses the single. |
| 127.3 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Good length around off, Pandya defends it towards long on. |
| 127.4 : N Pradeep to Pandya, SIX! Whipped! Angled on the stumps, Pandya gets across and just whips it over backward square leg for a maximum. That was hit with pure disdain and a lot of swag. |
| 50-run stand between Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami! |
| 127.5 : N Pradeep to Pandya, Turns it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 127.6 : N Pradeep to Shami, Shorter in length around leg, Shami controls his pull to fine leg for a single. |
| Rangana Herath is back for a bowl. |
| 128.1 : R Herath to M Shami, Floats it around off, Shami looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 128.2 : R Herath to Shami, Lands it on middle and leg, Shami keeps it out. |
| 128.3 : R Herath to Shami, Flatter around off, Shami brings his bat down in time to defend it. |
| 128.4 : R Herath to Shami, Pushes it to covers from his crease. |
| 128.5 : R Herath to Shami, SIX! Tossed up around the stumps, Shami comes down the tonks it over the long off fence for a maximum. 150 up for Herath! |
| 128.6 : R Herath to Shami, Shorter on middle, Shami goes back and defends it. |
| Change of ends for Lahiru Kumara! |
| 129.1 : L Kumara to Pandya, Good length outside off, Pandya looks to pull but is hit on his body. The bowler appeals but nothing from the umpire as it always looked high. That would have hurt. The batsmen steal a leg bye though. |
| 129.2 : Kumara to Shami, Shorter in length on middle and leg, Shami looks to pull but is beaten. The keeper takes the catch and appeals. Herath wants a review as the umpire says no but the keeper says it is not out. |
| 129.3 : L Kumara to Shami, Slower short ball down the leg side, Shami fails to connect with his pull shot. |
| 129.4 : L Kumara to Shami, Pitched up outside off, Shami drives it on the up towards mid off. |
| 129.5 : L Kumara to Shami, OUT! Finally the short ball ploy works! Shorter in length around off, Shami looks to go over the leg side with his pull. He miscues it to Upul Tharanga who takes it safely near the ropes at deep mid-wicket. End of a promising stand for India. |
| Drinks. |
| Umesh Yadav is the last man in. |
| 129.6 : L Kumara to Yadav, Welcomes Umesh Yadav with a short one, the batsman tries to sway away from the line of the bouncer. Fails to get away and is hit on his shoulder. That would have hurt. |
| 130.1 : R Herath to Pandya, Floats it around off, Hardik Pandya drives it towards the long off fielder. |
| 130.2 : R Herath to Pandya, Shortish in line of the stumps, eased down towards the fielder at long on. |
| 130.3 : R Herath to Pandya, Quicker into the pads, Pandya comes down the track and tries to flick. Gets rapped on the pads. |
| 130.4 : R Herath to Pandya, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 130.5 : R Herath to Pandya, Wide down the leg side, Pandya goes for the sweep but he fails to make contact. |
| 130.6 : R Herath to Pandya, FOUR! Tossed up around off, Pandya opts for the aerial route this time. Gets it over the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 131.1 : L Kumara to Yadav, Short delivery into the batsman, Umesh Yadav stays tall and defends it on the leg side. |
| 131.2 : L Kumara to Yadav, Again a bouncer into the batsman, Umesh goes for the pull but he fails to make contact. |
| 131.3 : L Kumara to Yadav, Sprayed down the leg side, Yadav shuffles across. Gets it through backward square leg for a single. So this also the highest total in the first innings by an away team in Sri Lanka. |
| 131.4 : L Kumara to Pandya, FOUR! Good shot! Back of a length delivery outside off, Pandya stands tall and smacks that through the mid off region for a boundary. |
| 131.5 : L Kumara to H Pandya, Angling into the hips, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 131.6 : Kumara to Yadav, SIX! Boom! Umesh is done watching, he stays in his crease, waits for the fuller ball and crashes that straight down the ground for half a dozen. Even he is interested in the big hits. |
| 132.1 : R Herath to Pandya, Floated around leg, Pandya prods forward, pushes it towards mid-wicket for a single. Gets to his maiden Test fifty on debut. Rare sight, this! A brilliant knock from the young all-rounder. |
| 0.0 : Maiden Test fifty for Hardik Pandya! |
| 132.2 : R Herath to Yadav, Quicker around leg, Yadav gets forward to defend. |
| 132.3 : Herath to Yadav, FOUR! Yadav wants his fifty too! Floats this one around off, Umesh gets to the pitch of the ball and smashes that over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 132.4 : R Herath to Yadav, Umesh Yadav lunges forward and defends it on the off side. |
| 132.5 : R Herath to Yadav, Around leg, Yadav tries to defend but gets rapped on the pads. |
| 132.6 : R Herath to Yadav, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 133.1 : L Kumara to Pandya, OUT! Kumara gets his third! Short delivery from round the wicket, Pandya goes for the big shot. Mistimes his pull and the ball balloons in the square leg region. Dhananjaya de Silva, the substitute fielder, settles under it and takes a well-judged catch. Sri Lanka have got the final wicket and INDIA ARE ALL OUT FOR 600! |
| A magnificent effort by India after winning the toss and electing to bat. Abhinav Mukund departed early and it seems like it happened ages ago. The pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara set up the platform with a brisk 253-run stand. Both of them got out after scoring 150-plus but India had the momentum all the while. The lower order chipped in with useful runs and Hardik Pandya scored a fifty on his Test debut to get India 600! |
| Sri Lanka will know that they could have done a lot better had they taken their chances. Dhawan was dropped on 31 and how badly he made them pay. All the bowlers got a hammering as they never bowled good enough to take wickets at regular intervals. However they were much better today. Nuwan Pradeep was the best bowler for them taking 6/132. They have a huge task on their hand. The pitch is starting to deteriorate and the tourists will bank themselves to make early inroads. Join us in a while for |
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