Making amends for the poor display with the bat in the first innings, India’s openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul scored beautiful fifties to help India stage a brilliant comeback in the ongoing first Test at the Eden Gardens. At stumps, India were 171 for 1, with the overall lead extended to 49.
With Sri Lanka’s taking a sizable lead of 122 in the first innings, the onus was on Rahul and Dhawan to provide the team with a much-needed solid start, and the duo did that in style. The visitors’ work, nonetheless, only became tougher when their first innings hero, Suranga Lakmal walked off the field after bowling just two overs due to their innings.
In Lakmal’s absence, Lahiru Gamage and Dasun Shanaka failed to cause much trouble for India’s opening duo as they batsmen fully capitalised on the sloppy fielding. By the time tea was taken, India had raced to 70.
The story remained the same after the break too with both the batsmen reaching their fifties pretty quickly. Runs were coming thick and fast before Dhawan was dismissed against the run of play when he was just six runs shot from a fine century. Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara then helped India to close the day without suffering any further setback. Rahul was unbeaten on 73 while Pujara was giving him company on two.
Earlier, India started the fourth day’s proceedings on a fine note by taking three quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 201 for seven after they began the day on 165 for 4. Mohammed Shami dismissed both the overnight batsmen- Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella while Bhuvneshwar Kumar accounted for Dasun Shanaka.
However, India’s hopes of bowling out the Islanders for a low total soon evaporated as veteran spinner Rangana Herath frustrated them to the fullest. On a pitch where even the likes of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane failed to deliver, he slammed 67, the top score of the first innings as the visitors overcame a mini collapse to post 294 and take a handy lead of 122.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
Herath's innings has ensured that only two results are now possible in this game. A draw or a Sri Lankan win
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2017
CHETESHWAR PUJARA set to become the 9th player to bat on each day of a 5-day Test match when he resumes tomorrow.
He will be the 3rd Indian after ML Jaisimha and Ravi Shastri to do the feat which were also at Eden Gardens. #INDvSL
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) November 19, 2017
Sri Lanka have bowled at 12 overs/hr in this test match, India at 12.3. That is terrible and am sure the match referee will have something to say.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2017
Idea is to arrive at the right decision. Have no issue with players seeking hints from dressing room on DRS call within the 15 secs. The rule could change.#IndvsSL #ICC
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 19, 2017
One thing Chandimal needs witchcraft for is – DRS! #IndvsSL
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 19, 2017
Without Lakmal available for now, and the track easing out, Sri Lanka's medium paced attack isn't looking menacing enough
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2017
Kumar and Shami take 8 between them. Sri Lanka take 122 runs lead since the back up to the two bowlers was pretty poor. Huge second innings coming up for India. Conditions better to bat but India need to put their head down and bat, bat, bat.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 19, 2017
Indian bowling to tailenders. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/7XEHWjZnoO
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 19, 2017
Rangana Herath plays short ball better than Sourav Ganguly and Suresh Raina.
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) November 19, 2017