Kolkata: Opener Shikhar Dhawan (94, 116b, 11×4, 2×6) and KL Rahul (73 batting, 113b, 8×4) restored India’s dominance with fluent half centuries as the hosts erased a 122-run lead to nose ahead in the opening cricket Test against Sri Lanka, here Sunday.
Taking advantage of the improved conditions, Dhawan and Rahul raised a near-flawless 166-run partnership which put India ahead by 49 runs at the end of the fourth day’s play. At stumps, India were 171 for one in their second innings with Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara (2 batting) at the crease.
Paceman Mohammed Shami (4/100), who had walked off the field Saturday due to cramps in his right leg, bowled well in the morning session to help India bowl out the visitors for 294 early in the second session.
With sun shining bright, the wicket had dried up, becoming conducive for batting but the Indian openers played their drives along the ground in the safe cover region.
The ball was swinging a bit but it came nicely on to the bat. The Indian batsmen got used to the pace of the ball quickly, making Lankan pacers toil hard without much success.
Dhawan and Rahul were calm and patient in their approach, playing mostly with the straight bat but once the deficit was erased, Dhawan opened up later in the innings to punish the visiting bowlers. A confident Dhawan used his feet very effectively against the spinners, specially against Rangana Herath, whom he lofted twice out of the park.
The left-hander also swept the left-arm spinner with ease, never allowing Hearth to find his rhythm. However, he ran out of patience when he approached his century and was caught behind while charging paceman Dasun Shanaka (1/29). Rahul restricted himself to the V, abstaining himself from playing extravagant shots, befitting the situation.
The same Sri Lankan bowlers, who shot India out for a paltry 172 in the first innings appeared ordinary even as the pitch did offer bounce occasionally.
Earier, both Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/88) and Shami claimed four wickets each as it took India 38 overs to scalp the remaining six batsmen.
Sri Lanka’s number nine batsman Rangana Herath (67, 105b, 9×4) emerged the highest run-scorer, which helped them grab a decent 122-run lead.
Resuming at 165/4, Sri Lankan duo of Niroshan Dickwella (35) and skipper Dinesh Chandimal (28) began in aggressive fashion. But after a good start Sri Lanka soon found themselves into trouble as they lost quick wickets with Indian pacers hitting the right length. Except Herath no other batsmen could defy the Indian bowlers.
press trust of india