India carried on the momentum they got on Day 1 and took the score past 600 to give an edge over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Colombo. Despite Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahana getting out in the first session itself, it did not dim the chances of India posting a mammoth score in the first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin took the charge and scored another half century, Wriddhiman Saha too scored well and got past this century, both the batsmen got out to Rangana Herath who took four wickets. India got past 600, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja who scored 70 and remained unbeaten. Virat Kohli declared India’s innings after 158 overs when they were 622 for 9.
India are once again in a commanding position in the second Test having scored big in the first innings making full use of the toss won by them. After Rahane-Pujara got out in the first session after scoring centuries, it was the duo of Ashwin-Saha who helped the side rebuild the innings and put the pressure back on the hosts. Rahane became Malinda Pushpakumara’s first Test wicket.
Ashwin got off to a great start but once again could not convert it into a big score. Saha too got fooled by the flight from Herath and got stumped out after scoring 67 from 114 balls.
That’s it…There comes the declaration. #TeamIndia declare at 622/9 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/vOHlAyAqpY
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2017
How much more can #TeamIndia pile on the runs? @Wriddhipops and @ashwinravi99 to start the post Lunch session #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/ppfxia9hC3
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2017
Hardik Pandya could not make the most of the opportunity and got out after scoring just 20. Post Saha’s wicket it was Mohammed Shami who came to bat and took the Sri Lankan bowler by a storm. He struck two sixes and a four before getting out for 19. Soon enough Kohli declared as he would have felt that Sri Lankan batsmen will be tired after fielding for two sessions and might give in to Indian bowlers in the latter part of the third session.
— Cricvids (@Cricvids1) August 4, 2017
— Cricvids (@Cricvids1) August 4, 2017
— Cricvids (@Cricvids1) August 4, 2017
Soon enough Kohli declared as he would have felt that Sri Lankan batsmen will be tired after fielding for two sessions and might give in to Indian bowlers in the latter part of the third session.
Sri Lanka will be under pressure and this time around Kohli might just enforce follow on if the spinners do the trick on a dry wicket.
