Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli hit centuries before Sri Lanka fought back on the second day of the first Test against India at the Galle International Stadium yesterday, only to slip early in their second innings with the bat.
The tourists, replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 183, took their overnight total of 128-2 to 375 all out after an eventful post-lunch session.
Left-handed opener Dhawan scored 134, his fourth Test century and the second in succession after making 173 against Bangladesh in June, while skipper Kohli returned to form with 103.
Photo: AFP
The pair put on 227 runs for the third wicket in a fine partnership after India were reduced to 28-2 after tea on the first day.
However, Sri Lanka lost openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Jayan Silva, both bowled without scoring, to first-innings tormenter Ravichandran Ashwi and the off-breaks of Amit Mishra respectively to end the day on 5-2, still trailing by 187 runs.
At the crease were Dhammika Prasad (three not out) and Kumar Sangakkara (one not out).
India were cruising at 255-2 when Sri Lanka hit back with four quick wickets on either side of the second new ball to make it 304-6 at tea.
India lost their final four wickets around Wriddhiman Saha’s 60, with off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal taking 5-134.
Dhawan, who was on 53 overnight, reached the three-figure mark 20 minutes before lunch by driving fast bowler Dhammika Prasad through the covers for his 10th boundary.
Dhawan was lucky to survive a loud appeal for LBW against Kaushal when he was on 79.
Replays showed the ball pitched in line and would have gone on to hit the stumps, but since the Decision Review System is not being used in the series, umpire Bruce Oxenford’s decision stood.
Kohli went to his 11th Test century with an off-driven boundary against Kaushal, his first 50-plus knock in 12 innings across all formats since making 107 in the World Cup match against Pakistan in Adelaide, Australia, in February.
Kohli was given out LBW later in the same over as he attempted to pull the off-spinner, but replays indicated the ball might have turned enough to miss leg stump.
Kaushal struck again in his next over, trapping Ajinkya Rahane LBW for no score as India slipped from 255-2 to 257-4. Sri Lanka found instant success with the second new ball, which was claimed after 86 overs, as seamer Nuwan Pradeep (3-98) bowled Dhawan and Ravichandran Ashwin (seven) in the space of six deliveries.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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