Mohammad Shami snapped two while Ravichandran Ashwin pocketed one wicket to give a highly positive start to India’s pursuit of a 3-0 clean sweep. Sri Lanka, who were asked to follow on yesterday after getting bowled out for just 130 in reply to India mammoth 487 runs, started at 19/1 on day three.
With two days in the pockets, a stubborn batting approach was expected in the morning today but the Indian bowling attack did not allow any such endeavours for the hosts.
Overnight batting pair of night watchman Malinda Pushpakumara and Dimuth Karunaratne 7 runs to the scoreboard before latter was dismissed as Ravichandran Ashwin landed a huge blow to Sri Lanka within few minute into the play.
Shami swung into action on the slow wicket and inflicted further blows to the batting side.
Few overs later, Malinda’s 32 ball struggle – which yielded only a single run – was brought to an end by Shami, giving India its second breakthrough.
The proceedings took a miserable turn when Shami managed to trap Kusal Mendis LBW in the 23rd over. This was by far the most staggering setback of the morning.
A long partnership was need of the hour. The situation didn’t look to have turned hopeless as Mendis kick starting his innings in an optimistic manner by getting off the mark with the help of two boundaries and Chandimal at the other end, it seemed that Indians will have to wait for some time before tasting the next success.
However, Shami ensured another big wicket fell and making Sri Lanka lose their first four wickets inside fifty runs for the first time in test cricket.
The urgency for a stable stand was acknowledged soon as Chandimal found a partner in Mathews fortunately.
The pair looked solid and played out the remainder of the session with a defensive approach and added 43 runs for the 5th wicket to keep the Lankan resistance alive for now