The hosts were bowled out for 306 shortly after the tea break
India's Amit Mishra appeals for a leg-before on Day Three of the second Test match in Colombo on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)
Colombo: India gained an upperhand in the second Test against Sri Lanka by taking a handy 87-run first innings lead despite a fighting century by rival skipper Angelo Mathews, here on Saturday.
Resuming at the overnight score of 140 for three, the hosts were cruising along comfortably with Mathews (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (62) adding 127 runs for the fourth wicket before losing seven wickets for a mere 65 runs on an engrossing third day’s play.
The hosts were bowled out for 306 shortly after the tea break with leg-spinner Amit Mishra being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/43 in 21 overs. Mishra was well complemented by Ishnat Sharma (2/68) and R. Ashwin (2/76) as they turned the tide just when it looked like Sri Lanka were on course of a decent first innings total.
India lost first innings centurion KL Rahul (2) in the very first over being bowled by Dhamika Prasad but Murali Vijay (39 batting) and Ajinkya Rahane (28 batting) ensured that there were no further setbacks by taking the score to 70 for one and extending the overall lead to 157 runs.
With two full days left, India will push for a series levelling win by setting a big target for the hosts on a tricky fifth day P. Sara Oval track. The track which has already shown signs of wear and tear with the spinners getting enough turn to make batting difficult on the final two days.
The first session belonged to Sri Lanka as they went into lunch at 224 for three with Mathews batting on 72 and Thirimanne was undefeated on 57.
Scoreboard
India (First innings): 393.
Sri Lanka (First innings): D. Karunaratne lbw b Yadav 1, K. Silva c Ashwin b Mishra 51, K. Sangakkara c Rahane b Ashwin 32, L. Thirimanne c Saha b Ishant 62, A. Mathews c Vijay b Binny 102, D. Chandimal c Rahul b Ishant 11, J. Mubarak b Mishra 22, D. Prasad c Rahane b Mishra 5, R. Herath lbw b Ashwin 1, T. Kaushal st Saha b Mishra 6, D. Chameera (not out) 0. Extras (b-2, lb-6, nb-5) 13. Total (in 108 overs) 306.
FoW: 1-1, 2-75, 3-114, 4-241, 5-259, 6-284, 7-289, 8-300, 9-306.
Bowling: Ishant 21-3-68-2, Yadav 19-5-67-1, Binny 18-4-44-1, Ashwin 29-3-76-2, Mishra 21-3-43-4.
India (Second innings): M. Vijay (batting) 39, K. L. Rahul b Prasad 2, A. Rahane (batting) 28. Extras: (w-1) 1. Total (for one wicket in 29.2 overs) 70. FoW: 1-3
Bowling: Prasad 4-0-12-1, Herath 11.2-3-23-0, Chameera 4-0-14-0, Mathews 2-1-1-0, Kaushal 8-0-20-0.
( Source : PTI )
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