- India take first-innings lead of 192 runs
- Sri Lanka slump to 5-2 in second innings
India took a firm grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka by taking a first innings lead of 192 and snaring the hosts’ openers in the second innings by the end of Day 2 in Galle on Thursday.
Replying to Sri Lanka's paltry first innings total of 183, India put up 375 in 117.4 overs following hundreds from Virat Kohli (103) and Shikhar Dhawan (134), who were involved in a 227-run stand for the third wicket.
When the Lankans returned for their second innings, India skipper Kohli employed a double spin attack and Ravichandran Ashwin, opening the bowling, struck immediately, castling Dimuth Karunaratne (0) with a doosra and Amit Mishra's googly breached Kaushal Silva's defence to leave the islanders in the dumps at 5 for 2, 187 runs in arrears of India's total.
With three full days left, the hosts face a daunting task to save the game and prevent India from taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's (60) maiden Test half-century also went a long way towards India extending their lead close to 200 runs.
Off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal was Sri Lanka’s most succcessful bowler with figures of 5-134 in 32.4 overs, while pacer Nuwan Pradeep chipped in with 3 for 98.
While India got a handsome lead, they were unable to score briskly, managing 247 runs from the 83.4 overs they batted on the second day.
However, credit should be given to both Kohli and Dhawan for keeping the Lankan bowlers in check in the first session of the day.
While Kohli faced 191 balls for his 103 that had 11 boundaries, Dhawan also showed loads of patience during his 273-ball-134 that had 13 hits to the fence.
Kohli, in the process, registered his 11th Test hundred while his Delhi teammate helped himself to his fourth and second in successive Test matches.
Starting the day at 128 for two, the duo slowly and steadily paced their innings playing both pacers and spinners comfortably.
Both waited for the loose deliveries, which were time and again provided by the spin duo of Kaushal and veteran Rangana Herath (0-67 in 33 overs), who never looked penetrative.
Dhawan completed his century during the first session with a regal cover drive off Dhamika Prasad as India went to the lunch at 227 for two.
However, the Indians lost momentum as far as run-scoring was concerned in the second session even though Kohli completed his 11th Test century with a drive through extra cover off Kaushal.
It is his fifth Test hundred in his last six five-day matches. He was, however, soon adjudged leg-before as he tried to sweep Kaushal.
Ajinkya Rahane (0) encountered a rare Test match failure which brought under-pressure Wriddhiman to the crease.
While Dhawan completely went off the boil, runs didn't come easily. He finally played on off Pradeep while Ashwin (7) was also castled.
It was left to Wriddhiman, who showed patience and technique en route his first 50-plus score in longer format. His innings had six boundaries and the only six off the innings which was hit off Pradeep over long-off.
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