Press Trust of India
Colombo, August 7: Ishant Sharma (5/23) showcased a sensational spell of fast bowling to rout the Sri Lankan Board President’s XI batting line-up as they were bundled out for a paltry 121 in their first innings on day two of the three-day warm-up match at the R Premadasa Stadium here Friday.
The visitors then finished the day at 112 for three in 40 overs at stumps with an overall lead of 342 runs, after their top order collapsed once again.
Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane (109 n o, 127b, 11×4, 1×6) retired out on his overnight score and allowed the tail-enders to get some batting practice. But they folded up for 351 as Kasun Rajitha (5/68) did the maximum damage.
It was all about Ishant thereafter as he struck quick blows one after another. The Delhi medium-pacer struck with his first ball, trapping Kaushal Silva (0) in front. Five balls
later, he bowled Dhananjay de Silva (0) with the score reading 1 for two.
Ishant was then on a hat-trick in the very next over, removing Upul Tharanga (0) for another first-ball duck. New batsman Milinda Siriwardana (32, 48b, 6×4) avoided it.
However, Ishant returned in the 8th over to remove Lahiru Thirimanne (5) and Kusal Perera (0). The fiery spell from Ishant read as following: 4-1-5-5.
Board President’s XI were 38 for five at lunch. In the second session, India cleaned up the remaining batting line-up quickly. Varun Aaron (2/42) struck two quick blows removing Shehan Jayasuriya (7) and Siriwardana.
There was a break in the flurry of wickets afterwards with Niroshan Dickwella (41, 53b) and Danushka Gunathilaka (28, 33b, 2×4) put on 63 runs for the eighth wicket.
R Ashwin (2/8) and Harbhajan Singh (1/7) picked up the remaining wickets at the stroke of tea.
Thereafter, skipper Virat Kohli (18) and Rohit Sharma (8) opened the innings to get some batting practice but were dismissed cheaply by Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando (2/17) respectively. Wriddhiman Saha (1), coming in at number three was also sent back into the hut by Fernando.
KL Rahul (47 batting, 94b, 2×4, 1×6) and Cheteshwar Pujara (31 batting, 90b, 1×4, 1×6) batted solidly to avoid any further loss.
Brief Scores
India 351 (Ajinkya Rahane retd. out 109; Kasun Rajitha 5/68) and 112 for 3 (KL Rahul 47 batting); Sri Lankan Board President’s XI 121 (Niroshan Dickwella 41; Ishant Sharma 5/23). Match to continue.
