Starting the day at 17 for three wickets down, India couldn’t stitch partnership as they lost two early wickets with the dependable Cheteshwar Pujara standing at the other end of the crease.
Suranga Lakmal was once again brilliant with the line and length and made it tough for the Indian batsmen.
However, the pick of the bowlers from the morning session was Dasun Shanaka who took the two wickets to keep India stranded at 50 for 5.
Pujara and Rahane looked steady at the start of the day’s play leaving the ball well outside the off stump. Sri Lankan fast-bowling duo of Suranga Lakmal and Dasun Shanaka bowled some high-quality deliveries leaving the Indian batsmen clueless. However, when Rahane was looking steady coming on to the front foot, he tried hard to play a cover drive off a ball well outside the off stump edging it to Niroshan Dickwella off Shanaka.
Ravichandran Ashwin was promoted up the order ahead of Wriddhiman Saha who was not at all comfortable in front of the Sri Lankan quicks. His 29 ball stay at the crease came to an end when he sliced on off Shanaka right into the hands of the Karunaratne who was positioned at the point region.
Pujara at the other end looked solid leaving the balls outside the off-stump and utilizing the loose balls. He once again proved why he is so highly rated in this Test batting line-up as he remained unbeaten at 47 runs with Saha who is on six runs. India is struggling at 74 runs for the loss of 5 wickets when it started drizzling again, and the umpires had to call in the covers.
Brief Score: India: 74/5 (Pujara 47*, Saha 6*), Lakmal: 3/9, Shanaka 2/23)
Here is how the twitter reacted at the end of the morning session:
Two players who played county cricket in England in 2017, now batting in English conditions at the Eden Gardens!#IndvSL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 17, 2017
Last year some Indian Fans:Pujara should be out of his S/R
Now:DEPENDABLE,BEST TEST BATSMAN OF THIS TEAM etc. #INDvSL
— ~~ (@spidernoir99) November 17, 2017
‘Make bowlers bowl to your strengths’
Pujara showing how it’s done. Courtesy his patience and the knowledge of where the off stump is. #IndvSL— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 17, 2017
Patience is the key when you bat in such conditions. Pujara putting on a show of test match batting here. India needs him to stay for long #INDvSL
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) November 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cricket24com/status/931408277447020544