Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 2nd Test: Visitors Shine as Hosts Struggle on Day Two in Colombo
Aug 4, 2017 at 7:06 PM
As the pitch continues to spring surprises at the fag end of the day which further included a vicious odd-turn of the cherry, the hosts Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets, before the stumps of Day Two of the second Test at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.
As the stumps were dislodged, the Lions posted 50 for two on the board, in 20 overs with skipper Dinesh Chandimal batting on eight while Kusal Mendis remains not out on 16 off 48 balls, as the hapless Lankans are trailing by 572 runs in the first innings.
The Virat Kohli-led upbeat India scored yet another 500-plus score, in the first innings — to take an early advantage in the game after leading the ongoing three-match Test series 1-0. On the final delivery of second over of Sri Lanka’s first innings, the hosts lost the first wicket when Upul Tharanga was caught at short-leg by KL Rahul on nought on the bowling of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. after the ball stuck into his midriff before completing a catch.
Adding the partnership of 33 runs for the second wicket with Kusal Mendis, the opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was caught by Ajinkya Rahane splendidly at the first slip after scoring 25 off 45 balls, to see Ashwin claiming two for the day.
After starting with the overnight score of 344 for three, the visitors added another 278 runs to declare their first innings score at the staggering total of 622, for the loss of nine wickets.
The left-handed batsman Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 70 off 85 deliveries and Mohammed Shami was dismissed on 19, as he was caught by Upul Tharanga at the deep mid wicket region, on the bowling of Herath. On the other side, Umesh Yadav remained not out on eight off 9 balls after hitting a boundary.
Interestingly, India turned out to be the first side to go post 500-plus score in Lankan backyard in its two consecutive Tests.
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Earlier in the morning session, adding seven runs to the first day’s total, Cheteshwar Pujara was adjudged leg before wicket (LBW), on the bowling of medium-pacer Dimuth Karunaratne.
After opting for the DRS, the TV replays suggested the ball was hitting the stump, as third umpire Richard Illingworth suggested the on-field umpire to change the decision in a favour of Sri Lanka.
The injury-hit Sri Lanka dealt a serious blow when their premier fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep was ruled out of the ongoing Test series after picking hamstring injury on day one of the Test.
The right-handed Pujara was dismissed on 133 of 232 deliveries, as he forged a partnership of 217 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Ajinkya Rahane. After adding crucial 63 runs for the fifth wicket between Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahane, before the centurion was undone after advancing down the ground by left-arm orthodox spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, who earned his maiden Test scalp,
However, the vice-captain Rahane returned to the pavilion after scoring 132 off 222 deliveries, as his innings included 14 boundaries. Following the superb half-centuries from Ashwin and wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha, India were 553 for seven when tea was taken.
Saha was dismissed by Rangana Herath on a vicious delivery which turned and then bounced to see gloveman Niroshan Dickwella dislodging the bails without wasting any time.
The 32-year-old Saha registered 67 off 134 deliveries after hitting a boundary and a six, respectively. At India’s score of 451, Ashwin, who registered his 11th fifty in Tests, was clean bowled by left-arm orthodox Rangana Herath on 54 off 94 balls, as his knock included five boundaries and a solitary six.
Interestingly, Ashwin also becomes the fourth player from India to achieve the feat of crossing past 2000-run mark in 51st Test match and 200 more wickets (which now stand as 280) after former skipper Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
The right-handed batsman Hardik Pandya, who scored run-a-ball 20, was caught at long-off by Angelo Mathews on the bowling of Malinda Pushpakumara.
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