The third day of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka was called-off due to bad lights with…
(Photo: AFP)
The third day of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka was called-off due to bad lights with Sri Lanka, at 165/4, trailing India by seven runs at stumps on Saturday.
Captain Dinesh Karthik (13*) and wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella (14*) were on the crease when bad light interrupted the play at Eden Gardens.
Sri Lankan batsmen Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne scored impressive knocks of 52 and 51 runs respectively to propel their team to a comfortable score.
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After bowling out the hosts for 172 runs at lunch, Thirimanne slammed eight boundaries to reach 51 runs.
Earlier, India rode on Cheteshwar Pujara’s half-century to score 172 runs in their first innings.
Trying hard to fight back after an awful start, the third day of the test began with Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja putting on a brave partnership in the face of Sri Lankan bowling onslaught.
However, just as the partnership started to look promising, a flatter delivery from Dilruwan hit Jadeja’s pad. Although, the umpire turned down the appeal, Sri Lanka went for a review the left handed batsman was declared out after scoring 22 runs.
Moments later, Saha too was out caught as he tried to sweep a Dilruwan delivery that got a bit bounce and kissed the top edge of Saha’s bat before falling into the hands of Mathews. Saha scored 29 runs and faced 83 deliveries.
As India tottered on 146/9 with a possibility of being bowled out for less than 150 runs, Mohammed Shami walked in and threw his bat at practically every delivery.
After scoring a quick 24 runs in 22 balls and helping India get past the 150-run mark, the fast bowler was out caught by Shanaka.
The last wicket partnership was of 26 runs, in which Shami hit three boundaries before Gamage got his back.
For the visitors, Suranga Lakmal took four wickets while Dasun Shanaka, Dlruwan Parera and Lahiru Gamage took two wickets each.
Brief scores: India 172 all out in first innings (Chesteshwar Pujara 52, Wriddhiman Saha 29; Suranga Lakmal 4/26, Dilruwan Perera 2/19, Dasun Shanaka 2/36, Lahiru Gamage 2/59) vs Sri Lanka.
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