India won the toss and elected to bat first in the first Test match at the Galle International Stadium.
Having lost the early wicket of opener Abhinav Mukund, Shikar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara established a partnership of 253 runs to put the Sri Lankan bowling under pressure. Dhawan flayed the Sri Lankan attack with consummate ease and was out for 190 runs when he seemed to be cruising towards a double hundred or more. India ended day one on 399/ 3 wickets in 90 overs, a run rate of 4.5 runs an over, which reflected the indisciplined nature of the Sri Lankan bowling attack. The bowlers bowled on both sides of the wicket which enabled the Indian batsmen to score freely.
Pujara also capitalized on this bowling to remain unbeaten on 144. The home team suffered a major setback when Asela Gunerathne fractured his left thumb early on in the first session of play in attempting to take a catch off Dhawan in the slips. India continued to pile up 600 runs with Pujara scoring 153 and most of the others chipping in with fifties. The bowling was more disciplined on the second day and Nuwan Pradeep was amply rewarded with 6/132 runs, a splendid effort on a very good batting surface.
Sri Lanka going into bat midway during the second session of play lost early wickets. However, Upul Tharanga (64) and Mathews (54*) steadied the innings with a partnership of 57 runs, when Upul Tharanga was run out in an unfortunate manner as his bat rebounded in the air, although it was well over the batting crease. Sri Lanka ended on 154/5 at the end of the day. On the third day, Mathews was out early for a well compiled 83 and when it looked like Sri Lanka would fold up cheaply, Dilruwan Perera, known more for his off spin bowling, scored a flamboyant 92 not out, to lift the total to a respectable 291.
India’s big lead of nearly 300 runs, enabled them to bat without much pressure in the second innings to score 240/3 declared. Virat Kholi scored 103 not out to come out of a bad patch in test cricket. The home team had the daunting task of scoring 553 runs to win or to bat for a session and two days to draw the game. They were only able to score 245 runs to concede a comprehensive victory to India, with a day to spare. Dimuth Karunaratne (97) and Niroshan Dickwella (67) showed some resistance in this innings. The absence of Asela Gunarathna due to injury very early in the game had an adverse effect on the team. He had been a consistent contributor as a batsman and had also been able to pick up useful wickets with his off cutters.
The second Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club saw Virat Kholi winning the toss again and electing to bat. It was surprising to find Sri Lanka going into this game with three spinners and only one pace bowler, hinting that this wicket would be conducive to spin. India, capitalizing on batting first, piled up 344/3 with Pujara 128 not out and Rahane 103 not out to end the day.
There was the occasional delivery that took turn off the wicket, which did not augur well for Sri Lanka who had to take second lease of the wicket. Although Pujara and Rahane did not add much to their overnight scores, Rahul, Ashwin, Saha and Jadeja all scored half centuries to swell the Indian total to 622/9 declared by the tea break. Sri Lanka were 50/2 at close of play. What followed on the third day was sensational, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 183 in the first session of play.
Ashwin claimed 5 wickets to wreck the Sri Lankan innings. It was observed during the Sri Lankan innings that the Indian spinners were getting sharp turn and bounce off the wicket which made batting an arduous task. India enforced the follow on with a lead of 439 runs and most experts thought that the match would end by about lunch time on the Fourth day.
Sri Lanka having lost the early wicket of Tharanga, saw a determined fight back by Dimuth Karunaratne 141 and Kusal Mendis 110 to enable Sri Lanka to score 386 runs which was a splendid achievement. Considering that they were playing against Ashwin and Jadeja, two of the best spinners in World cricket, on a wicket that was a nightmare for batsmen due to the vicious turn and bounce on it.
Karunarathne and Mendis complemented each other in their partnership of 191 runs for the second wicket with Kusal Mendis making an aggressive counter attack on the Indian spinners in scoring the brilliant 110 he made. Karunarathne batted with a lot of concentration and determination for three and a half sessions to make his runs. The batting of these two players earned a lot of respect from the experts of the game including myself.
India once again beat Sri Lanka by an Innings and 53 runs with a day to spare thereby clinching the series. It must be questioned as to why Sri Lanka having the home advantage, decided to prepare a wicket which helped spinners to such an extent, when India’s spin combination was far more effective than that of Sri Lanka.
