SL v IND, 3rd Test, Day 1 Review: Indian openers lay solid foundation, spinners script Lankan fightback

Owing to the huge amount of differences between the two rosters, the outcome of the Test series between hosts Sri Lanka and travelling side India was already sealed. The men in blue had won the first couple of Tests quite comprehensively. But that does not generally mean that the third Test has no importance. When on one hand India was playing for a clean sweep, Sri Lanka had their pride at stake when the two neighbouring nations faced each other at the Pallekele International Stadium at Pallekele.

Ravindra Jadeja was banned from featuring in the third and final Test of the series, which came as a boon for young chinaman spinner of India, Kuldeep Yadav. But all he did on the first day of the match was being a spectator, as Virat Kohli decided to bat first after winning the toss. Once again, Shikhar Dhawan played a classy knock and was well supported by fellow opener KL Rahul. Dhawan played a solid knock of 116 while Rahul missed out on a century by just 15 runs.

Dinesh Chandimal’s pacers were not right up to the mark as the Indian openers had a stroll in the park. The first session was as dry as drought for the home side as the openers were settled in the crease. Just when the spectators were thinking that the match is all but over for the Lankans, Chandimal opted for a change in bowling and gave the left-arm orthodox spinner Malinda Pushpakumara an opportunity.

Pushpakumara and Sandakan scripts heroic comeback

The spinner utilized it well as he handed the departure ticket to KL Rahul, who was heading towards his century. This time again a lack of patience was shown by the batsman at a crucial stage. Rahul was too eager to get to his ton and decided to come down to pitch for a big shot, ultimately failing to judge the drift of the ball. The end result was that the ball ended up in the hands of Dimuth Karunaratne, thereby giving the Lankans their first joy of the day.

Dhawan was dismissed within a span of just eight overs by the same man. The left-handed batsman was offering some sweet sweeps to the bowlers, but this time it was ineffective. The ball headed towards the short leg and wanted a good fielder to catch it. Luckily for the home team, skipper Dinesh Chandimal was there to grab the catch and complete the second dismissal.

In-form batter Cheteshwar Pujara was not able to do something special today as he was dismissed for just 8 runs. He went for the cut shot off Sandakan’s bowling, only to edge the ball and land it safely in Angelo Mathews’ safe pair of hands. From there on, every batsman chipped in with some contributions but a long and steady innings was missing.

Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed on 17 by the star of the day for the Lions, Pushpakumara. Rahane walked down the track to offer a shot but failed to make any sort of connection, as the ball finally connected with the stumps to complete Pushpakumara’s third wicket. Skipper Kohli played a handy 42 and was sent back by Sandakan via another slip catch, this time by Karunaratne. By this time, the Lankans were back in the game owing to their spinners.

The Indian team, which was once looking strong at 219-1, was now struggling at 296-5. Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin tried to build a partnership but it did not last long as the spinner was dismissed by Vishwa Fernando, which was the first and only success for a pacer today. Credits must be given to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella, who took a superb catch by diving as far as the first slip’s position. At the end of the day, India is comfortably placed on 329-6.

Though the middle order has collapsed like a can of tin, India is still looking comfortable owing to the rock solid foundation laid by the openers. After dropping a couple of chances, which later proved to be crucial, the Lankan fielding has improved considerably. If Saha manages to build a partnership with Pandya, who is the last recognised batter in the lineup, and manages to get India to 400 then that will be a worry for the Lankans as the pitch is already offering a tinge of turn.

Chandimal’s approach will be interesting to see tomorrow as the men in blue are more or less heading towards a whitewash. But the game will remain at parity if the spinners, Sandakan and Pushpakumara, manages to repeat similar performances tomorrow. Overall, a great day of the purest form of the game, with the wheel of advantage swinging between two sides and finally resting in a neutral position.

Brief Scores

Ist innings

India- 329/6 (Shikhar Dhawan 116, KL Rahul 85, Malinda Pushpakumara 3-40)