Kolkata: Skipper Virat Kohli (104 n o, 112b, 12×4, 2×6) hit one of the finest counter-attacking centuries in recent times as India nearly scripted an amazing win before the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka ended in a draw here at the Eden Gardens, Monday. It was Kohli’s 18th Test and 50th overall in international cricket.
Riding on Kohli’s knock, India declared their second innings at 352 for for eight. This left Sri Lanka with an improbable 231 to chase in little over a session.
The target was out of reach but the Indian bowlers went full throttle raising visions of a victory, reducing Sri Lanka to 75 for 7 before umpires called off play due to deteriorating light.
Nearly 20 overs of play was still left but light was always going to be a factor as Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11-8-8-4) rocked the Sri Lankan batting in the company of Mohammed Shami (2/34) and Umesh Yadav (1/25).
After being dominated for the better part of the first four rain-truncated days, Kohli took it in his own hands to completely alter the complexion of the match.
With the opposition’s best bowler Suranga Lakmal (3/93) removing KL Rahul (79, 125b, 8×4), Cheteshwar Pujara (22) and Ajinkya Rahane (0) within the first hour of play, the visitors were sniffing victory with India effectively 91 for 4 at that point of time.
Kohli didn’t get any stable partners but initially played it safe till the lunch session before launching a ferocious counter-attack in the post-lunch session. The two sixes over extra cover off Lakmal were a statement of intent that he was not ready to play for time trying to save the match.
The moment he completed his hundred with a six off Lakmal’s delivery, Kohli declared the innings making his intentions clear.
Shami and Bhuvneshwar gave India a rocking start castling Sri Lankan openers Sadeera Samarawickrama (0) and Dimuth Karunaratne (1) respectively to make it 2/2 inside four overs. It soon became 22 for four as Bhuvi dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne (7) and Umesh accounted for Angelo Mathews (12).
However, Nirosan Dickwella (27, 36b, 2×2, 2×4) and skipper Dinesh Chandimal (20, 33b) used time-wasting tactics to stop India’s run.
Press Trust of India
