Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Thirimanne struck half-centuries for Sri Lanka Board President’s XI but India dominated first day’s play in their tour game on Friday at CCC grounds.
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Gunathilaka and Thirimanne added 130 runs for the 2nd wicket but the hosts were bowled out for just 187 losing their last 9 wickets for 48 runs. With Dinesh Chandimal out of the Galle Test, Gunathilaka and Thirimanne pounced on the opportunity to score 74 and 59 respectively and lay their claim to a place in the starting XI on 26th July.
Opening batsman Gunathilaka crafted 11 fours during his 97-ball stay while skipper Thirimanne stroked 5 fours and 2 massive sixes off Ravi Ashwin after he won the toss and elected to bat first. Experienced Kaushal Silva fell early while the middle-order was completely rattled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav.
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Jadeja nicked Thirimanne down the leg side to leg slip while Gunathilaka found short of his crease by a stunning direct-hit by Jadeja. Test hopeful, Dhananjaya De Silva drove uppishly straight to short-extra cover off Jadeja while Ashan Priyanjan edged to slips as Jadeja ended with 3 for 31. Apart of the two left-handers at the top, middle order batsman Roshen Silva remained unbeaten on 29 off 44 for the hosts.
Seamer Mohammed Shami took 2 wickets bowling only 5 overs while young Yadav mesmerized the brief crowd present at the venue taking 4 for 14 in 6.3 overs. In reply, India lost left-handed Abinav Mukund for a golden duck as left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando got the initial breakthrough. India’s mainstay, Chetheshwar Pujara was clean bowled by Fernando for 12 while KL Rahul returning from a shoulder injury made 54 off 58 with 7 fours before being trapped LBW by Vikum Sanjaya.
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Captain Virat Kohli and Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane batted till close of play to remain not out on 34 and 30 respectively.
The match will be continued tomorrow (22nd July) for second and final day’s play.
SL Board President’s XI – 187 all out in 55.5 overs: Danushka Gunathilaka 74, Lahiru Thirimanne 59, Roshen Silva 29*, Mohammed Shami 2/9, Ravindra Jadeja 3/31, Kuldeep Yadav 4/14.
India – 135/3 in 30 overs: KL Rahul 54, Virat Kohli 34*, Ajinkya Rahane 30*, Vishwa Fernando 2/21.
