It’s curtains at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata as the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka ends in a stalemate. It was a thrilling contest between the two Asian giants, as the dominance of the match was divided into two halves.
The visitors had the upper hand in the first part while India turned the tables in the second but missed a win by a whisker.
Sri Lanka performed way better in this away fixture after they were brutally thrashed in all three formats by Virat Kohli and his men in the island nation early this year. The Lions looked a different bunch from the very first day and did not back down from taking the game onto the hosts. The wounds from the 9-0 whitewash were still fresh, but Chandimal and his lads did no show any signs of it.
The Indian batting-order failed miserably in the first innings, as they could not stand up to a phenomenal bowling performance by the Sri Lankan bowlers. The men in blue were bundled out for a mere 172 runs, as Suranga Lakmal grabbed the limelight with four wickets to his name.
In the reply, Sri Lanka were not great with their display of batting but they managed to get past the Indian score with ease. Riding on half-centuries from Lahiru Thirimane, Angelo Mathews and veteran Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka gained a healthy 122-run lead. Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up four wickets each to restrict the Lankans to 294.
In the second innings, Shikhar Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul gave India a dream start with both of them hitting 50s up the order. However, the batting -order collapsed once again after Dhawan (94) and Rahul (75) made their long walk back to the pavilion. It was then when an amateur Virat Kohli decided to take up the monumental responsibility of stabilising the inning on his shoulders.
Kohli played an unparalleled knock importance which was a sheer class from top to bottom. The elegant stroke player smashed 12 boundaries and two maximums to bring up his 18th Test century and also cushioned India to a respectable total of 352/8.
After the declaration by India, the Sri Lankans had a target of 231 to chase to take a 1-0 lead in the series. But things did not go according to plans for the visitors, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar wrecked havoc in the Sri Lankan batting line-up.
The deadly swing bowler picked up four wickets while Mohammad Shami managed two in quick time which saw the Lions toiling at 75 at the loss of seven wickets. India were just three wickets away from a thrilling comeback win but time did not allow them to. The day called off which marked the end of the first Test.
India (1st innings) – 172/10
Sri Lanka (1st innings) – 294/10
India (2nd innings) – 352/8 declared
Sri Lanka (2nd innings) – 75/7
Also Read: (IND vs SL 2017, 1st Test: Twitter Reacts as Opening Test Ends in a Draw)
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