With 49 runs ahead of Sri Lanka, India went lost the wickets of KL Rahul, who could add only six runs from his overnight score of 71 runs. Suranga Lakmal was once again on fire as he removed Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession. However, skipper Virat Kohli looked fluent as wickets tumbled on from the other side of the pitch. While the other batsmen found it tough to play the Sri Lankan bowlers, Kohli was in his normal self and played some glorious shots.
The 29-year-old Kohli brought his 50th international hundred as he reached the landmark with a six off Lakmal. Kohli steps down the pitch to play an inside out over the cover region which took him to the milestone as he rushed towards the dressing room. India declared at 352 runs for 8 with 231 runs to play with.
However, when Kohli was batting on 86, he was seen signalling to the dressing room suggesting he wants to declare the innings to go out for a win. But team India coach, Ravi Shastri insisted him to complete his hundred and score some quick runs before declaring the innings. He was also spotted gesturing to send some extra fielder to the ground with the message. Abiding that, Ravi Shastri sent his message to the ground via a substitute fielder.
In reply to India’s target of 231 runs, Sri Lanka lost two early wickets and was struggling at 2 for 2. Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were accurate as they removed both the openers taking a piece each.
Here is the video of Kohli-Shashtri sign conversation:
How about that for sign language? Care to decode this conversation between the Captain and Coach? #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/cN54UzGJy8
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2017