Ravichandran Ashwin produced another magical spell to scalp five wickets as India notched a series-levelling 278-run victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka, denying the legendary Kumar Sangakkara a fairytale farewell from the game.
Set a daunting target of 413, the islanders caved in rather tamely, bundled out for a meagre 134 in 43.4 overs shortly after the lunch break, allowing the Indians to restore parity in the three-match series.
Wily off-spinner Ashwin again did the bulk of the damage, finishing with superb figures of five for 42, as the Lankans capitulated spectacularly to give Virat Kohli his first Test win as captain with almost two full sessions to spare.
It was a commendable show by the Indians, who dominated the match right from the first day and made amends for their shock defeat in the first Test in Galle, where they lost despite being in the driver's seat for most part of the game.
It was a disappointing end to Sangakkara's stellar career as he not only failed with the bat in both the innings but had to deal with the added misery of seeing his team go down tamely.
Nobody expected the game to end so quickly. Sri Lanka lost lost seven wickets for 58 runs by the lunch break, which was taken early owing to a rain interruption.
Amit Mishra trapped last man standing Dushmantha Chameera (4) to seal the issue, triggering off scenes of celebration in the Indian dressing room while the players hugged each other on the field.
Apart from Ashwin's mesmerising bowling effort, leg-spinner Mishra chipped in with three wickets for 29 runs, while the pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav claimed a wicket apiece.
For the home team, opener Dimuth Karunaratne provided a semblance of resistance with a gritty 46-run knock, which came off 103 balls. None of the other top-order batsmen could hang around for long, making the job easier for the rampaging Indians.
Sri Lanka's day got off to the worst start possible, losing a wicket to the first ball of the morning. Starting at their overnight score of 72-2, skipper Angelo Mathews (23) was caught behind off Umesh Yadav (1-18) in the 22nd over and almost immediately the slide began.
The collapse started thereafter as Ashwin got great purchase from the fifth day pitch. He struck with the sixth ball after the mini-break, removing Lahiru Thirimanne (11), who was caught at silly point by substitute fielder Cheteshwar Pujara.
In the very next over, the 36th bowled by Ishant, Jehan Mubarak (0) edged the first ball he faced to second slip which India skipper Virat Kohli gleefully accepted.
In the 37th over then, Dhammika Prasad (0) stepped out of the crease and mishit one high off Ashwin, holing out to Mishra at midwicket.
Two overs later, Ashwin had his second five-wicket haul of this series when he bowled opener Dimuth Karunaratne (46 runs, 103 balls, six fours).
Three overs went by without a wicket as dark clouds hovered above the ground, bringing the possibility of thundershowers as per predictions.
With 14 minutes to go for lunch, Mishra removed Tharindu Kaushal (5), trapping him leg before, but, thereafter, a sudden rain shower stopped play, forcing the umpires to call for an early lunch.
India took five deliveries after the break to wrap up the proceedings and bring themselves back in the series.
- Also read: 'Sangakkara will rightly go down as one of cricket's greatest-ever players'
© 2024 Rediff.com -