Right-arm fast bowler Ishant Sharma ran-through the Sri Board President’s XI top-order with a cracking spell as India took a huge lead of 342 at the end of day 2 in their warm-up game at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Indians opted to retire out centurion Ajinkya Rahane overnight. They batted only 9.1 overs and added 37 runs to their total in the morning as the Lankan bowlers cleaned up the tail. The 22-year old fast-bowler from Matara representing Badureliya SC and who has only played 7 first-class games took a five-wicket haul for the hosts.
Sri Lanka Board President’s XI was stuck by Ishant Sharma as they were bundled out for 121 runs in 31 overs. Top five batsmen were back in the pavilion in 7.3 overs just as a repeat of The Ashes 4th Test – Day 1.
Test hopefuls, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga and Kusal Janith Perera were dismissed for golden ducks while Thirimanne was the only batsman in the top five to score 5 runs. Dhananjaya De Silva was also clean bowled in the second over for no score.
Milinda Siriwardana and Niroshan Dickwella gave some respite to the hosts’ with rearguard knocks of 32 and 41 respectively. Left-handed Siriwardana slammed 6 fours in his knock while Dickwella was the last man to go and his patient knock had no boundaries. Seamer Varun Aaron and spinner Ravi Ashwin took 2 wickets apiece.
Indians batting in their second innings opted to open the batting with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Left-arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando trapped down LBW both Sharma for 8 and wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhaman Saha for 1.
Kasun Rajitha was once again in the wickets’ column as he got Virat Kohli caught by Sachith Pathirana for 18 as the visitors were in dire-straits at 28 for 3.
KL Rahul and Chesteshwar Pujara managed to stay alive and keep going till stumps with an unbroken stand of 84. Rahul scored 2 fours and a six in his 47 while Pujara made 1 six and 1 four during his 90-ball 31.
Play will resume tomorrow for the final day (8th August).
Indians –351 all out in 88.1 overs: KL Rahul 43, Shikhar Dhawan 62, Ajinkya Rahane 109, Chetheshwar Pujara 42, Kasun Rajitha 5/68, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/76.
SL Board President’s XI – 121 all out in 31 overs: Niroshan Dickwella 41, Milinda Siriwardana 32, Danushka Gunathilake 28, Ishant Sharma 5/23, Varun Aaron 2/42, Ravichandra Ashwin 2/8.
Indians (2nd inn) – 112/3 in 40 overs: Chesteshwar Pujara 31*, KL Rahul 47*, Vishwa Fernando 2/17.
