India takes a second innings lead of 498 over Sri Lanka at stumps on Day 3 of the first Test at Galle International Stadium on Friday, after skipper Virat Kohli and left-handed batsman Abhinav Mukund registered the fifties each — to pile-up the miseries for hosts. (Read Here: Test Call-Up Double Delight For Shikhar Dhawan).
Before the bails were removed from the groove by umpires, the visitors posted 189 for three in 46.3 overs, while losing out Mukund on 81 off 116 deliveries, as he hit eight boundaries.
The 27-year-old Mukund was adjudged leg-before wicket at the last minute of the close of play, on the bowling of off-spinner Danushka Gunathilaka.
Shouldering the responsibility, Kohli remained unbeaten on 76 off 114 deliveries in which he has crunched five boundaries.
In the third session, India collected 133 runs in 29.3 overs, while giving away a solitary wicket of opening batsman from Tamil Nadu.
Kohli and Mukund forged a partnership of 133 for the third wicket, as the decision from on-field umpire was upheld by TV umpire, as the replays suggested the ball was hitting the middle stump.
Moreover, in fourth over, the visitors lost their in-form batsman Shikhar Dhawan on the bowling of slow bowler Dilruwan Perera when he opted for a cut short to find Danushka Gunathilka stationed at point region after scoring run-a-ball 14.
Following the slow nature of the pitch, the ball held onto the pitch and came slower onto the bat of Dhawan, as India lost its first wicket on the score of 19.
On the penultimate ball of 17th over, the visitors lost Cheteshwar Pujara at the team’s score of 56.
Pujara added 37 runs for the second wicket with opener Abhinav Mukund, as latter opted for a flick on his stronger side – to pick Kusal Mendis at leg gully, who pulled a spectacular catch which almost bobbled out before the rain stopped play.
Pujara posted 15 off 35 balls as his short innings included two boundaries.
After restricting hosts Sri Lanka on 291, India took the massive first innings lead of 309 before coming to bat again, as skipper Virat Kohli has decided not to enforce follow-on against Rangana Herath-led Sri Lanka.
Earlier, starting from the overnight score of 154 for five, Sri Lanka struggled before showing a bit of urgency to opt for big shots which somehow benefitted the hosts – to post quick runs on the board, before the hosts innings was wrapped by left-arm orthodox spinner Ravindra Jadeja after cleaning up Lahiru Kumara, who scored 2 off 12 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka on the third-day, Dilruwan Perera (6) and Angelo Mathews (54) started the proceedings which saw the former skipper Mathews being undone by Ravindra Jadeja after Kohli completed a catch when Sri Lanka was 205 for six in 58.5 overs.
Sri Lanka added just 137 to their overnight score of 154, as Dilruwan Perera played a significant role in the first innings of Lions while posting unbeaten 92 off 132, to become the top-scorer for his side.
The 35-year-old Panadura-born all-rounder Perera smashed 10 fours and four sixes in his patient knock.
For India, the pick of the bowlers was Jadeja, who claimed three wickets after conceding 67 runs in 22.3 overs.
Mohammad Shami picked two wickets, as Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hardik Pandya picked wicket apiece.
Angelo Mathews (83 off 130) and Upul Tharanga (64 off 95) posted the other two fifties for the struggling hosts.
Nuwan Pradeep scored 10 off 26 before being bowled by Hardik Pandya, who also claimed his first Test scalp when Lions’ score was 280 in 73.5 overs.
Rangana Herath was dismissed on 9 off 13 balls by Jadeja when a ball found the part of a glove to find Ajinkya Rahane as a close-in fielder, as the on-field decision was upheld by third umpire Rod Tucker.