Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

The monsoon winds have finally hit the shores of Galle, exactly when cricket fans were hoping for it to stay away. Nevertheless, not a lot of damage was caused for either of the sides and India are looking well on course to take a 1-0 lead in the Test match. After finishing at 154/5 in 44 overs at the end of Day 2, Dilruwan Perera and Angelo Mathews helped their side get a respectable score, but they are still 498 runs behind after the third day came to an end.

The first Test has turned out to be nightmare for Sri Lanka and barring few individual efforts, there was nothing which went in their favor. While Team India continued their dominance here are the five talking points of the rain effected third day’s play.

1. Crucial runs for Abhinav Mukund

After making his debut almost eight years ago, Mukund’s re-entry into the Indian side was not exactly on the cards but it did happen when the Aussies toured India. He failed to notch any big scores and after maintaining his place in the playing XI in the first Test of the Sri Lanka tour, he was dismissed for 12 in the first innings.

Nevertheless, the veteran has managed to get some crucial runs under his belt, scoring 81 off 116 balls which included some delightful shots across the park. There was a little bit of fortune going his way, but eventually, he got out on the last ball of day 3.

2. The onslaught from Perera and Mathews

Angelo Mathews (83 off 130 balls) and Dilruwan Perera’s knocks saved the day for the Lankans, but maybe not the match. Perera went after the Indian spinners and spanked two sixes each off Jadeja and Ashwin. Mathews too went about his innings at a good pace but got out at the wrong time attempting a nothing shot. Perera stuck along with the tail and remained not out on 92.

3. 3 crucial strikes from Jadeja

The world number one Test bowler Ravindra Jadeja was under the scanner after the last couple of months turned out to be below par. But he registered three wickets in the innings, which includes the important one of Angelo Mathews. Lahiru Kumara and Rangana Herath were the other victims of his spectacular rendition and needless to say this was much needed for the left-arm spinner.

4. Kohli heading to a hundred

Since the Australia series, Kohli has been going through a rough patch. In the first innings against Sri Lanka, he was dismissed cheaply and was trolled on social media for sticking around for the third umpire’s decision despite knowing that he had nicked the ball. But Kohli was at his sleek best today and piled up a much-needed half-century. He will enter day 4 with 76 runs after his name and will be keen to register his first hundred since the double-ton he scored against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.

5. Maiden Test scalp for Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya’s amazing Test debut got even better as he managed to grab his first Test wicket on Day 3. He rattled Nuwan Pradeep’s stumps and that indeed was a delightful way to get off the mark, with the sticks off their grooves. He scored a brilliant half-century on Day 2 and it was his knock that propelled India to 600 in their first innings.