Day 3 of the third Test match between India and Sri Lanka was marked by valiant batting performances from two Sri Lankans in the name of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. The Sri Lankan skipper led by example at the Feroz Shah Kotla as he finally got back to his striking best registering a magnificent hundred. Veteran Angelo Mathews also booked a ton of his own which came after over two years.
The Sri Lankans finally looked like a team that lived up to their expectations with the bat in the entire series. Amidst the horrific air conditions at the Indian capital, Mathews and Chandimal batted brilliantly in response to India’s gigantic total of 536. However, Mathews fell victim to Ravichandran Ashwin who has been in terrific form in the series, after playing a 111-run knock. The utility all-rounder smashed 14 boundaries and two maximums in the process. Dinesh Chandimal continued his dominance in the middle, but a lack of partnership at the other end saw the team’s total hit a drastic low from 256/4 to 356/9. Chandimal is still on the crease with 147 runs to his name. Chandimal’s gutsy knock saw him hit 18 boundaries and a towering six off the in-form Ravi Ashwin.
The last time the Sri Lankan captain scored a ton against the Indians was back in 2015, and Sri Lanka emerged to be the winners in that encounter. As far as this match is concerned the team is still 180 runs short of the Indian target with Lakshan Sandakan at the crease alongside Chandimal.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been the pick of the Indian bowlers once again with three wickets to his name while Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picking up two each. Day 4 will see the two Sri Lankan batsmen open the innings with the primary target of crossing the 400 run mark.