Team India performed brilliantly in the opening Test in Galle and ended up winning it by a record margin of 304 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series.
The Indian colts thoroughly outplayed their Sri Lankan counterparts in all three departments of the game and finally registered a victory on the 4th day of the Test.
Captain Virat Kohli scored a magnificent century in the 2nd innings which helped India set Sri Lanka an unrealistic victory target in the 4th innings. India had lost the opening test in Galle during their last tour and Kohli conceded in the post match presentation that it was denting blow last time but this time it was a clinical performance by the boys given the fact that they were two years more experienced than the last time.
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“Last time (2015) we should have won and it was really denting as far as our confidence is concerned. But, this time around it was a very clinical performance. We are a more experienced side now and that’s what is showing in the field. Really happy with the way things have gone and the guys stood up when it mattered the most. All bases were covered nicely. Everyone turned up. The surface didn’t offer much, that’s why the win is special,” Kohli said.
He further praised the bowlers for performing brilliantly especially on a pitch which didn’t offer much assistance to them.
“Bowlers did well on a track that offered nothing and I think that shows how much hard work the boys put in. Persistent pressure for longer periods always pays off and that’s something I believe in. Last time it was good for bowling and this time it is good for batting,” he added.
He also added that he will be having a severe headache on the selection of the openers after both Dhawan and Abhinav played well. With Rahul set to be back for next Test, Mukund might face the axe.
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“One regular opener is not fit right now. I think it is a massive headache (smiles), but a good one to have. At most, only 3 openers make the squad. It’s good to have guys scoring rather than guys not scoring consistently. I think the guys will understand how the dynamics of the team work,” Kohli said.
Speaking on his hundred Kohli said,
“It was a situation where we had to capitalize and not waste deliveries. We are still working on how to pace our innings in the second game. It felt nice that it came off well. I thought Abhinav (Mukund) really batted well. He deserved a 100 as well. To get to another Test 100 is really special.”
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