Sri Lanka vs. India, 1st Test, Day 2: Visitors Well Ahead After Two Days
India are dominating the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after two days, as they have reduced the hosts to 5-2, still behind by 187 in the second innings.
That strong, late bowling performance came after the away side’s batsmen made 375 to take what could be a vital lead of 192 runs and set themselves up in a match-winning position.
Having resumed on 128-2, there were certainly some interesting moments for India, while Sri Lanka struggled all day to assert themselves with either bat or ball.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
It also sets up what could be a very intriguing third day, with the visitors in the ascendancy and surely on track for victory.
Before we get to the third day, let’s take a look at some takeaways from the second.
Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli step up
Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli resumed on 53 and 45, respectively, and over the course of the day were India’s biggest run-scorers as they racked up 375 all out.
Kohli was finally out for 103, while Dhawan finished on 134, and the pair put on a staggering 227 for the third wicket, leaving India in a position of real strength.
Their contributions were good for India, who only had Wriddhiman Saha pass 50 and two other players—Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra—reach double figures.
Two of India’s superstar batsmen did most of the work, however, and ensured the away side would look strong, even as a number of other stars failed to impress.
However, the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma will surely get another chance in either this game or subsequent fixtures, so all hope is not lost.
It was a tribute to the work of Dhawan and Kohli that they were able to steer India into a position of such dominance.
Tharindu Kaushal takes wickets expensively
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had a decent day despite conceding a big lead, and they were led by Tharindu Kaushal who took 5-134.
Unfortunately, Kaushal’s figures came in 32.4 overs and contained just two maidens, meaning he conceded his runs at an economy rate of 4.10 runs an over.
Compared to his teammates, who largely hovered around conceding three runs an over, it was disappointing to see Kaushal leak runs in spite of taking wickets.
Even more troubling, the off-spinner sent down nine no-balls in the course of the innings, something that is inexcusable for a slow bowler to do once, let alone nine times.
If he is to continue as one of Sri Lanka’s front-line spinners, he needs to rectify these problems, especially as he will likely play on a lot of spin-friendly pitches.
India profit despite lack of late aggression
Late on the second day, India’s tailenders were left to try and get the lead up past 200, and they are mostly capable batsmen who are able to hit out and up the run rate.
However, the away side did not do so, and instead seemed to dither a little even as the overs ticked away, meaning they would have less time at Sri Lanka’s batsmen in the evening.
Singh was one of the worst culprits, as he made 14 from 31 balls, while Ishant Sharma’s unbeaten three came from 39 balls.
Sharma’s effort was understandable as he tried to play a supporting role, but with so little time left in the day, surely the strategy would have been to hit out and see what happens.
Instead, India were bowled out for 375 having dallied in the last few minutes and been left just four overs to bowl at Sri Lanka before stumps.
That they were able to take two quick wickets and reduce the Sri Lankans to 5-2 at the close was a tribute to the Indian bowlers, who look very handy on this pitch.
However, if they had a little more time, maybe their position would be even stronger.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
