With an overnight score of 11 for one, India pair Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara got off to a slow start displaying some top-class Test batting.
Early on Day one of the second Test, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 205 with Dinesh Chandimal (57) and Dimuth Karunaratne (51) scoring the bulk of runs. The spinning duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who remained wicket-less in the first Test at the Eden Gardens once again proved their mettle, as they picked up four and three wickets, respectively dismantling the Lankan batting line-up.
India lost their opener KL Rahul in the last session of the day, as he was not looking comfortable and his feet weren’t moving at all. While playing a delivery away from the body, he chopped an inside edge back on to the stumps trying to punch off the back-foot off Dasun Gamage.
In the morning session of the second day’s, both Pujara and Vijay, who was making a comeback after eight months looked calm and composed leaving the ball outside the off stump well. However, they cashed in on the loose deliveries time and again. Pujara played some glorious shots and was a treat to watch. Vijay, on the other hand, reached his 16th Test fifty with a classy cover-drive off Shanaka. India went for the lunch with 97 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket.
India will look to capitalise on the good start provided by the top-order and post a mammoth total in the coming sessions.
Here is how people reacted in Twitter:
This innings is a bit like Bengaluru traffic. Ten minutes later, you are still where you were. (replace Bengaluru with wherever you are!!)
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 25, 2017
Alright then. Can the Indian batsmen drive home the advantage earned by the bowlers? Could well be the best time to bat, on this wicket.#INDvSL, day two, LIVE:https://t.co/MmnuWvUNT7
— The Field (@thefield_in) November 25, 2017
10 runs in last 10 ovs #INDvsSL
— Sports Express (@Xpress_Sports) November 25, 2017
lanka made 47 in 27 ovs. india 42 in 23 ovs. in good batting conditions. dont blame the public for not watching #INDvsSL
— Sports Express (@Xpress_Sports) November 25, 2017
Keep in mind on lots of days in hand,India tend to play slow? Is that good shine?? Two slowest batsmens in the crease too?#INDvsSL
— Vimojan Paramjothy (@vimoj29) November 25, 2017
Missing #sehwag and #sachintendulkar ….the era when even boring test matches like this were exciting enough to watch#indiavssrilanka#INDvSL #SLvsIND#INDvsSL
— IMS (@sharmaijii) November 25, 2017
Your patience can be tested when you are watching the pair of Vijay/Pujara playing together. Finally India reaches 50. #Solid#IndvsSl @bhogleharsha @sanjaymanjrekar
— jalay maru (@jalay_maru) November 25, 2017
Brief Score: Sri Lanka 205 ( Chandimal 57, Karunaratne 51) Ashwin 4/67, Jadeja 3/56
India: 97/1 ( Vijay 56* Pujara 33*) Gamage 17/1.
Also Read: (IND vs SL 2017: Watch – Virat Kohli’s Love Affair with Dogs Continues)
(IND vs SL 2nd Test: Twitter Reacts As Ishant Sharma Makes Impressive Comeback)