It was yet another disappointing day of Test cricket for Sri Lanka in the field as India piled on the runs on day 1 of the 2nd Test between the two teams at the SSC grounds.
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Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane both stroked centuries and put on 211 runs for the 4th wicket as India finished on 344/3.
Pujara and Rahane came together at the fall of third wicket and would perhaps have been feeling some pressure with the team on 133/3. However, some loose bowling and poor efforts in the field aided the visitors’ cause as the pair managed to add 211 during the 51.1 overs they were together at the crease.
Earlier in the day India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat 1st. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, who has 558 first-class wickets, made his international debut replacing of fast bowler Lahiru Kumara but it was a disappointing outing for him as he was guilty of bowling way too many loose deliveries to the batsmen; he ended up going at over 4 runs an over.
The inclusion of Pushpakumara was one of the three changes made by Sri Lanka with Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya De Silva brought in to replace Dhanushka Gunathilake and Asela Gunaratne. India brought in fit-again KL Rahul to replace Abhinav Mukund.
Dilruwan Perera got rid of the dangerous Shikar Dhawan with his 1st ball of the game in the 1st session of play after the Indian openers Rahul and Dhawan had gotten off to a brisk start; Dhawan smashed 6 fours and a six on his way to 35.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka vs India 2017 – 2nd Test Day 1
Dilruwan trapped Dhawan in front and although on-field umpire Rod Tucker declined Sri Lanka’s appeal, the replays showed the ball crashing into leg stump and the decision was overturned.
In the previous over, surprise 1st change bowler Dimuth Karunaratne wrapped Rahul on the pads and the batsman was given out by umpire Bruce Oxenford but the decision was overturned on review as the ball was seen to be missing the stumps.
It was in fact an eventful day for the 3rd umpire with 7 decisions, including a stumping, being reviewed. India seemed to have the edge in this aspect as well, getting all 3 of their reviews right.
KL Rahul looked good for a big one but his innings came to an end in disappointing fashion as he was involved in a mix-up with Pujara on 57 just 3 overs into the post-lunch session. Dinesh Chandimal was the only one who stood out somewhat in the field and managed to catch Rahul short of his crease to give Sri Lanka the breakthrough.
Virat Kohli, coming in next, did not make too much of an impact as he was dismissed for 13 by Rangana Herath, with Angelo Mathews taking a good catch at slip.
From then on it was the Pujara-Rahane show as the pair were untroubled by the hosts’ attempts to dismiss them.
To add to Sri Lankan woes, Nuwan Pradeep, Sri Lanka’s only paceman, walked off the field mid-way through the 81st over, clutching his left hamstring.
