Lanka vs India: Kohli and co. complete series clean sweep in Pallekele
Pallekele: Virat Kohli led Indian side completed its first series cleans weep away from home as it defeated hosts Sri Lanka by an innings and 171 runs in the third and final Test of the series here on Monday.
R Ashwin scalped four wickets while Mohammed Shami scalped three as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 181 in their second innings after India had enforced the follow-on on Day 2 after posting 487 runs, batting first.
Sri Lanka, who could only score 135 runs in the first innings, showed no fight in the second innings as Indian bowlers run through the Sri Lankan batting to end the third match in less than three days.
Sri Lanka 181 from 74.3 overs:
WICKET AND THE CLEAN SWEEP IS COMPLETE! R Ashwin disturbs the timber as India win the third and final Test by an innings and 171 runs.
Sri Lanka 168/9 from 68.3 overs:
WICKET! Ajinkya Rahane takes a fine catch as Umesh Yadav scalps his second wicket in the innings. Sri Lanka 9 down as Niroshan Dickwella departs.
Sri Lanka 166/8 from 68.3 overs:
WICKET! Shami strikes. His 3rd wicket in this innings. Lakshan Sandakan departs as Saha takes a catch. India 2 wickets away from a cleansweep.
Sri Lanka 138/7 from 59.3 overs:
WICKET! Ashwin has third as Hardik Pandya takes a fine running catch to end Dilruwan Perera's innings. The Sri Lankan's attempt to take on Ashwin has backfired. Sri Lanka 7 down.
Sri Lanka 118/6 from 54 overs:
WICKET! Trapped before the wickets. Angelo Mathews reviews the decision. Unsuccessfully. R Ashwin is elated. Sri Lanka 6 down. India 4 wickets away from 3-0 series win.
Sri Lanka 104/5 from 50.5 overs:
WICKET! Dinesh Chandimal's resistance comes to an end. Bat and pad and taken at the short-leg. Kuldeep Yadav strikes. Sri Lanka 5 down. Half the side is back in the dressing room.
Sri Lanka 82/4 from 42 overs:
LUNCH! Two of Sri Lanka's most experienced campaigners from the current side - Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chadimal - have done well not to allow India to run through the Sri Lankan batting line-up after losing three quick wickets in the opening session - Dimuth Karunaratne, Malinda Pushpakumara and Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka 39/4 from 23 overs:
LBW! Kusal Mendis walks straight away after getting trapped in front of the stumps by Shami. Chandimal gestures the ball might be straying down leg, but Mendis does not look in a mood to stay out there. Replays show the ball just kissing the leg stump. However, it's another wicket for India and a big one.
Sri Lanka 34/3 from 20.1 overs:
WICKET! Nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakuma has to depart after a short stay at the crease, managing to score just a run from 32 deliveries. Shami bowls a fuller one this time forcing Pushpakumara to drive. The Sri Lankan batsman nicks one straight to Saha. Captain Chandimal makes his way to the crease.
Sri Lanka 26/2 from 15.3 overs:
WICKET! Ripper from R Ashwin in his first over of Day 3 and Karunaratne has no answers to tackle that. Spin and bounce as the ball kisses the outside edge of the bat and Ajinkya Rahane takes an easy catch in the slips. Super star for India.
Pallekele: Runs, more runs, wickets and more wickets. India did everything right on Day 2 of the third Test as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 135 in the first innings and then were reduced to 19/1 at stumps on Sunday.
Come Monday, with Sri Lanka still 333 runs behind India’s first innings total, Virat Kohli and co are eyeing their first cleansweep away from home as third day’s play begins here on Monday.
After Hardik Pandya’s blitz powered India to 487, Kuldeep Yadav (4/40) and co dismantled Dinesh Chandimal-led unit. While the chinaman got the most number of wickets, Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped with two wickets each as the hosts’ poor batting show was once again was on display with no batsman barring skipper Chandimal showing willingness and grit to bat for long hours.
India made the most of Sri Lanka’s below-par showing to take giant strides to win their second consecutive match by an innings.
While the Sri Lankan fans will hope that their team puts up some fight, a big defeat and 3-0 series loss seems eminent for the Islanders.
