Sri Lanka vs. India, 1st Test, Day 1: Ashwin Puts Sri Lanka in a Spin
Sri Lanka and India may not have contested a Test match since 2010, but it didn't take the hosts that long to become re-acquainted with the pavilion after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
The precise spin of Ravichandran Ashwin proved too much for the home side's batting lineup, who folded for a paltry 183, with the 28-year-old slow bowler running through the side to finish with figures of 6/48.
Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli then rammed home the advantage with a century partnership that took India to 128/2 and significantly improved India's chances of winning what would be just their third overseas Test in 26 attempts.
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Let's take a look at some of the takeaways from this action-packed day, which yielded 12 wickets, 311 runs and numerous talking points.
Ashwin Wins Battle of the Spinners
Before a ball was bowled, all of the talk involving R Ashwin referred to the contribution he would have to make with the bat, in order to prop up a shortened Indian batting lineup.
However, after being brought into the bowling attack as early as the 12th over when both Sri Lankan openers were already back in the hutch, it only took him 63 balls to collect his five-for.
Picking up four left-handers, including Kumar Sangakkara, Ashwin extracted plenty of turn and bounce to put the hosts on the back foot, with only Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal putting up resistance.
Conversely, when it came to India's chance to bat on what appeared to be a real Bunsen burner (a turning wicket), they milked Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal's 15 wicketless overs for 56 runs.
Dhawan Cements Place (for Now)
None of India's top six have previously played a Test in Sri Lanka, but this didn't affect Dhawan and Kolhi from decreasing their side's deficit to just 55 runs with eight wickets in hand by the close of play.
Indeed, despite scoring a ton against Bangladesh in June, it is conceivable that Dhawan may have even missed out on selection in Galle had Murali Vijay not been ruled out with a hamstring injury
However, one straightforward half-century later and the 29-year-old's flashing blade that once seemingly suggested a like-for-like replacement for Virender Sehwag had been found could be back to stay at the top of the order.
From when his skipper joined him at 28/2, the pair added an unbeaten hundred partnership that will give their side hopes of batting just once in this game.
"The poll results are in, and nearly half have voted for @KumarSanga2 as #SriLankasBest. Thanks for the votes! #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/zSjNGH23je
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 12, 2015"
Sangakkara Makes Rare Failure
In 2000, a somewhat fresher faced Kumar Sangakkara made his debut on this ground, scoring 23 runs against a more-than-useful South African bowling attack.
The small matter of 228 innings, 38 Test centuries and more than 12,000 runs later, the veteran failed in penultimate batting effort on the famous Galle turf that he knows so well.
Sanga lasted just 12 balls before he became Ashwin's first victim of the day and given the state of the match, may need to produce one of his signature knocks the second time around if Sri Lanka are going to get out of jail.
Tomorrow
As is often the case in cricket, a couple of early wickets in Thursday's morning session could change the course of this game, especially with India's top order lacking depth.
However, if Sri Lanka fail to make in-roads, then it could be a long few days with the wicket breaking up just in time for their second innings.
From India's point of view, if they can survive the morning session with most of their wickets intact, then they'll have a great chance of establishing a significant, match-defining lead.
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