1st Test, Day 2: Indian bowlers put up a good show to push Sri Lanka on the back foot

ICC
India are in the driver’s seat against Sri Lanka at the end of day 2. Image Source: twitter

Internet Desk: India are comfortably in the driver’s seat as the hosts Sri Lanka as they are tottering at 154/5 at the end of Day 2 of the first cricket Test at the Galle Cricket ground today. The visitors are still leading by 446 runs in the first innings with three days left in the match.

The Indian bowlers started well today as Umesh Yadav gave the team an early breakthrough by sending Dimuth Karunaratne (2) back to the pavilion when the hosts were on 7. After that Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka tried to hold the innings together as they added 61 runs for the second wicket. India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami (2/30) then came to the business as he took both the wickets of  Danushka Gunathilaka (16) and Kusal Mendis (0) to crumble the Lankan batting line-up. Tharanga too didn’t last long as he was run out on 64. Angelo Mathews is at the crease on 54 along with Dilruwan Perera (6) at the end of day’s play.

Earlier, a fiery knock from debutant all-rounder Hardik Pandya (50) and Mohammed Shami (30) helped India to reach 600 before they bundle out in the first innings against Sri Lanka at Galle International stadium today.  Earlier with Cheteshwar Pujara (153) holding a side, Dhawan (190) got the license to kill in the middle as they put up a 253-run stand for the second wicket to provide the World No.1 team a solid platform.  However, after Dhawan’s dismissal, Pujara continued the good work and shared a 137-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (57). On a pretty flat track, pacer Nuwan Pradeep registered his best figures (6/132) in Test cricket.

India’s star all-rounder Ravi Ashwin too scored 47 runs to help the side. Bengal lad Wriddhiman Saha though failed to stay at the crease for long as he got out on 16.