On the eve of Independence Day, ranked No. 1 in Tests, India has whitewashed the hosts Sri Lanka by 3-0 on Monday, in the three-match Seagram’s Royal Stag Test series after clinching the third and final Test at Pallekele by an innings and 171 runs in Kandy.
For India, the pick of the bowlers was ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who bagged four wickets after giving away 68 runs in 28.3 overs.
Playing the crucial part with the new-ball, Mohammed Shami bagged three wickets as Umesh Yadav claimed two and Kuldeep Yadav settled with a solitary wicket after four-for in the first innings.
The hosts were bundled out on 181 in 74.3 overs in their second innings when Lahiru Kumara was bowled by Ashwin after scoring 10 off 15 deliveries. At the other end, Vishwa Fernando remained unbeaten on four after facing 17 balls.
For India, the chief architects in the third Test at Kandy were Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm slow bowler Kuldeep Yadav following brilliance from KL Rahul at the top.
Following the all-round performance, as Virat Kohli-led side is enjoying the merry-run while donning the white jersey.
Interestingly, this is the first time in history; India has claimed the 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka at their home owing to the overseas condition.
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As Dinesh Chandimal-led Lankans continued to perform poorly at home throughout the series which further saw the visitors’ top-order giving their best before bowlers marched on the ground to script the history as the visiting team has already completed the eight series wins on trot comfortably.
Earlier, while beginning their innings from the overnight score of 19 for one, Sri Lanka was dismal with the bat again; as they went on to lose three wickets in the morning session.
Adding the score of seven, the hosts lost opener Dimuth Karunaratne when he gave a regular catch to Ajinkya Rahane at the first slip on the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin.
The 29-year-old Colombo-born left-handed batsman Karunaratne scored 48-ball 16, as he crunched three boundaries.
In 21st over, the night-watchman Malinda Pushpakumara (1 off 32) was dismissed by Mohammed Shami after healthy edge was taken by gloveman Wriddhiman Saha at Lanka’s score of 34.
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In the span of two overs, the 22-year-old Moratuwa-born right-handed batsman was trapped in front of the stumps by Shami as he trudged off the ground after posting 12 off 21 deliveries to see hosts reeling at 39 for four in 22.5 overs.
Adding 65 runs for the fifth wicket, skipper Chandimal was caught by Cheteshwar Pujara on the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav.
The right-handed Chandimal, who looked on to spend his time at the crease, returned to the pavilion after scoring 89-ball 36 runs. He has smashed four boundaries in his knock.
Angelo Mathews (35 off 96) was trapped in front by Ashwin, which saw the on-field umpire Richard Illingworth raising his dreaded finger, before the batsman challenged which further saw Bruce Oxenford upheld the decision as the ball was clipping the leg-stump.
Owing to the soft dismissal, Dilruwan Perera (8 off 23) was caught by Hardik Pandya on the bowling of Ashwin.
Lakshan Sandakan was caught by Saha on the bowling of seamer Shami after registering 24-ball 8.