Dinesh Chandimal smashed an unbeaten 162 off 169 balls to lead a brilliant revival by Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test against India at Galle yesterday.
The hosts, who trailed India by 192 runs in the first innings, were reduced to 95-5 in their second knock before Chandimal launched an audacious counterattack to steer his team away from imminent disaster.
Sri Lanka went on to make 367, setting India a tricky target of 176 runs to take the lead in the three-match series.
Photo: AFP
India ended the day at a shaky 23-1 after Lokesh Rahul was trapped LBW by Rangana Herath for five. First-innings century-maker Shikhar Dhawan was unbeaten on 13 and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was on five.
The 25-year-old Chandimal hit four sixes — one of them a spectacular reverse sweep off Harbhajan Singh over the mid-wicket boundary — and 19 fours in his fourth Test century.
Chandimal put on 125 for the sixth wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne (44) and 82 for the seventh with Jehan Mubarak (49) to frustrate India’s bid to force an early victory.
Chandimal and Thirimanne, who came together before lunch with their team still 98 runs away from wiping off the deficit, batted through a large part of the post-lunch session, though they survived several chances.
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AFP, SYDNEY
Batsman Steve Smith yesterday was named Australia’s new Test captain to replace Michael Clarke, who announced his retirement after his side’s drubbing in the Ashes, Cricket Australia said.
David Warner, 28, will be the Test team’s vice-captain, it added.
Smith, who skippered Australia in Tests against India during the previous home season when Clarke was sidelined with a hamstring injury, was the natural choice for the position, Cricket Australia said.
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