After getting a reprieve on a score of 31, Shikhar Dhawan went on to play an innings of 190 and punished Sri Lanka bowlers till the time he got out.

In one or the other way, one can say that Dhawan missed an opportunity, as Sri Lankan bowling line-up lacked that zeal and other batsmen were making the merry out of it. Dhawan too was one of those but the moment he touched the mark of 190, he surprisingly tried to take on the bowler and gave an easy catch to Angelo Matthews at mid-off.

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It was an unusual way to get out especially at a score of 190, as though he was playing his natural game, but most times we have seen many batsmen changing their approach when they are close to a double century. Dhawan though continued to play his attacking game and gave an easy catch to mark an end to his innings.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar and batsman Ajay Jadeja think Dhawan missed out on a golden opportunity to score a double century or a triple hundred as well.

“You can say that Shikhar Dhawan missed a chance of scoring a triple century. I know that he was dismissed on a score of 190. There was no need for him to play such a shot. He has made a remarkable comeback in the team and he has pressed a strong case as an opener. If he would have played an innings of 200 or 300, then he could have sealed his place for next ten Test matches. I feel that he missed an opportunity to score a double century,” said Gavaskar after the end of day’ play.

Ajay Jadeja too said the same thing and added that Cheteshwar Pujara will tell Dhawan how to score a double hundred,

“I think thank Cheteshwar Pujara will tell Dhawan how to score a double century. He is still there at the crease and might go onto core a double century. If Pujara scores a century, it will be a lesson for Dhawan.”

At the end of the first day’s play, India was on a score of 399 with the loss of three wickets. Dhawan and Pujara shone on day 1. The former played an innings of 190, whereas, the latter scored 144*. Virat Kohli and Abhinav Mukund failed to make most out of the weak Lankan bowling, as both of them scored 12 and three, respectively.

Ajinkya Rahane was the overnight batsmen with Pujara, who will come out to bat on day 2.