India Vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test – Day 3
The Indian Cricket team had a good day at the office on Day 3 of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at P Sara Oval, Colombo. The Indians finished the Day after building a lead of 157 runs and bowling Sri Lanka out for 306 even after Angelo Mathews hit a century.
Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne resumed play after Day 2 and the pair put on a 127-run stand between them to frustrate the Indian bowlers as they seemed to have a reply for everything. But that was the last big partnership the hosts could put on as they bundled out after adding just 65 runs and losing 6 wickets in succession.
Ishant Sharma’s spell after lunch gave the visitors their first breakthrough as he sent Thirimanne back for 62. Ishant then got rid of Chandimal whose heroics in the last match took Sri Lanka to a superb win.
Stuart Binny then sent Angelo Mathews back to the pavilion after he completed his 6th Test hundred. Binny took his first Test wicket in the process as Mathews edged one to first slip.
Amit Mishra was the pick of the bowlers as he didn’t let the tail enders spend time at the crease.He took figures of 4/43 in 21 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma took 2 wickets each whereas Umesh Yadav and Stuart Binny claimed 1 wicket each.
India had lead by a handy 87 runs before they came out to bat in the 2nd Innings on a pitch that still looked good for batting. But the visitors lost the wicket of KL Rahul who scored a magnificent hundred in the first innings. Rahul was bowled by Dhammika Prasad to an inside-edge.
Murli Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane carried on the show although the Sri Lankan bowlers really bowled their heart out in the final session of play.
At stumps on Day 3, the score was India: 70/1, with Vijay batting on 39* and Rahane on 28*.
Day 4 promises exciting action as Sri Lanka need to get back into the match by taking quick wickets and their bowlers need to be up to the task for it. India and Captain Virat Kohli on the other hand, will look to maximize the lead.
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