With a clear sky and the sun shining high India lost an early wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, who was unbeaten on 47 runs at the end of 2nd days play. Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha then tried to steady the Indian innings as they stitched a valuable partnership of 48 runs. However, Dilruwan Perera removed Saha and Jadeja in the same over to reduce India to a poor score of 128 for 8. Mohammad Shami at the end of the innings took the attack to the opposition to take India’s tally of total score to 172 to give the bowlers a good target to bowl at.
Cheteshwar Pujara could only add five runs to his overnight score of 47 runs as a perfect inswinger bamboozled him by Lahiru Gamage that went through his bat and pad. With the pitch not as effective as it was, Saha and Jadeja were looking comfortable with an odd delivery troubling them. Both added 48 crucial runs for the seventh wicket as Jadeja (22) got out plumb in front of the wicket f Perera. The original decision was not out; however, the third umpire asked to reverse the decision as it was reviewed by Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal. Saha (29) got out in the same while playing a sweep shot and was adjudged LBW. Saha went for the review which confirmed the decision of the on-field umpire.
Mohammad Shami (24) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (13) added some valuable runs down the order to take India to a respectable score of 172 runs. Shami scored at a strike rate of over 100 hitting the Sri Lankan bowlers all over the park. Suranga Lakmal was the pick of the bowlers finishing with four wickets off 26 runs from 19 overs. The other six wickets were shared by Lahiru Gamage, Dasun Shanaka, and Dilruwan Perera.
Brief Score: India: 172 all out ( Pujara 52, Saha 29), Lakmal 4/26, Perera 2/19
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Twice this year India have got all out for <200 in first inns of a home Test – 189 v Aus, Bangalore and 172 v SL, Kolkata.
The last such occasion before this year was in 2008, 76 v SA, Ahmedabad. #IndvsSL
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/WisdenIndia/status/931763251242831872
Pujara dismissal reminded me of Dravids dismissal in Australia in 2012#INDvsSL
— Rahul Parmar (@ParmarRahuls) November 18, 2017
Looking forward for early damage by Kumar / Shami before pitch could dry and settle down!#INDvsSL
— MuthRame (@muthrame) November 18, 2017
Patient and poised – @cheteshwar1 gets to his 16th Test 50 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/AlBe0NzZKm
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 18, 2017
When No1 team in @ICC test ranking collapse against No.6 team,your belief In uncertainty of cricket get cemented.
. #INDvSL #Edengarden #KolkataTest @BCCI @imVkohli @cheteshwar1 @SDhawan25 @klrahul11 @imjadeja @cricketsrilanka #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/OpcWNryT4Y
— Rima Barua (@rima_barua) November 18, 2017