Sri Lanka claimed four highly crucial wickets in the opening session to get back in the contest on day two of the 1st Test at the Galle International Stadium. It was a thoroughly satisfying show from the hosts who had to toil hard on day one.
Nuwan Pradeep picked two wickets and completed his 5 wicket haul while Lahiru Kumara and Herath picked a wicket each to open their wicket accounts to collectively push India on the backfoot.
Pradeep was easily the pick of the bowler. His accuracy and purposeful approach created numerous problems for the overnight duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane initially and later for the other batsmen as well.
The reward for his hard work was the all – important wicket of Pujara whom he removed in the 98th over in a nonchalant manner and the added the well set Ravichandran Ashwin to complete his five-for.
Initially, the decision to start with spin looked like a positive one. Dilruwan Perera opened the attack but Herath brought himself to the attack almost immediately in the third over of the day.
He started off well and created a chance straight away off the very first delivery he bowled in the 93rd over. It was sharp turn from the left-armer, something which the spin legend missed on the first day on the placid wicket, which almost nicked the outside edge of the bat.
Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was doubtful about the survival of the batsman and soon the DRS was taken. Unfortunately, the result was negative for the hosts as the ball clearly missed the bat. But, while Pujara survived the minor scare, there were clear indications that the pitch had become dry on the second day which was a great news in every sense.
Two overs later, Pujara glanced a delivery going on the leg side to collect a boundary and complete the 150 run mark. Rahane, who resumed at 39, also reached his fifty in the next over.
Sri Lanka, however, were not required to wait longer for their first wicket as Pradeep managed to find the edge of Pujara’s bat an over later. The ball was the typical delivery which Pradeep has been bowling since the day one – slightly short of good length and moving away outside the off stump.
Pujara tried to push it but failed to connect and edged it to the Dickwella.
Lahiru Kumara added more delight by getting rid of Ajinkya Rahane shortly thereafter. The right hander was able to add only 7 runs after his fifty before becoming the burly fast bowler’s first wicket of the match.
Overall, the session still belonged to India as they added 104 runs to their overnight score of 399/3. But, Sri Lanka had better positives to take from the morning’s play as they finally looked to be in the rhythm of picking wickets although Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha stabilised the innings after the double blow.
The two added 69 for the 6th wicket. But, just when it seems that Indian was smoothly moving to the 500 mark set enough to end the session without any further setbacks, Pradeep and Herath removed both the men in back to back overs to ensure that the session belonged to the hosts.
Herath broke the stand with the wicket of Saha who sort of gifted his wicket in the 115th over to the struggling left arm spinner, playing a rash shot which ended in the hands of the mid-on. In the following overs, Ashwin’ unnecessary pull against a ball which was going down the leg side saw him edge the ball to the wicket keeper.
The afternoon session will likely see the spinners coming to the attack for lengthy spells. Both the tweakers – Dilruwan Perera and skipper Rangana Herath currently stand with a dismal record, having conceded over 100 runs respectively so far.
Perera the off spinners, has figures of 0/13 while Herath has 1/116. This numbers surely need additions in the wicket column and they would be quite hopeful of making the change in the upcoming session where the pitch is expected to become more helpful.