Galle: Bowlers put their foot on the pedal after a flamboyant innings from debutant Hardik Pandya (50, 49b, 5×4, 3×6) helping India take control against Sri Lanka at stumps on day two of the first Test here Thursday. The hosts were 154 for five in reply to India’s first innings score of 600 all. Sri Lanka will need another 247 runs to avoid follow-on when the game resumes Friday.
Mohammed Shami (2/30) had an impressive comeback to Test arena while Umesh Yadav (1/50) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/49) were the wicket-takers for the visitors.
The Lankan slide started with opener Dimuth Karunaratne (2) being trapped leg before by Yadav in the second over of the Lankan innings and the batsman wasted a DRS review in a bid to reverse the decision.
Then in the post-tea session, Shami hit the right length and was duly rewarded. First he accounted for Danushka Gunathilaka (16) in the 15th over and then four balls later, he sent back Kusal Mendis (0), with both batsmen caught at first slip by Shikhar Dhawan.
Veteran opener Upul Tharanga (64 runs, 93b, 10×4) batted well and was associated in two partnerships of some substance. He first put on 61 runs for the second wicket with Gunathilaka and then added another 57 runs for the fourth wicket with Angelo Mathews (54 batting, 91b, 8×4).
The hosts reached 100 in the 25th over. Shortly afterwards, Tharanga was run-out as his bat was found hanging in the air and Abhinav Mukund stationed at silly point showed smartness to hit the stumps, effecting a run-out.
Mukund’s sharp reflexes helped India get another wicket as he held on to a fine one-handed catch at silly point to give Ashwin his first wicket of the match. Niroshan Dickwella (8) being the batsman.
Earlier Pandya’s rollicking innings was the difference between a score of 550 and 600. He was dropped at first slip off Rangana Herath (1/159) when he was batting on four. But thereafter, he didn’t give any chances to the opposition, unleashing his full array of strokes as he sped to his half century.
Shami (30, 30b, 3×6) gave him good company and the duo put on 62 runs for the eighth wicket. The latter fell to Lahiru Kumara (3/131) but not before making sure India built on their commanding position.
In the morning, Pradeep took his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India reached 503 for seven at lunch after losing four wickets for 104 runs in the first session.
Cheteshwar Pujara (153, 265b, 13×4) and Ajinkya Rahane (57, 130b, 3×4) looked to continue their overnight partnership, and were batting fluently. However, after getting to 153, Pujara fell caught behind off Pradeep in the 98th over. It started the slide for India as Rahane was caught at slip four overs later off Kumara.
Surprisingly, Ashwin (47, 60b, 7×4) and Wriddhiman Saha (16) both came out to bat ahead of debutant Pandya.
