Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test day 3 review: Mishra hands India the initiative as Lankans falter

Sri Lanka v India 2^nd Test day 3 review: Mishra hands India the initiative as Lankans falter: Three days of Test cricket and finally one team has the upper hand. Indian bowlers provided an excellent display of patient and disciplined bowling to dismiss the hosts to a far lesser total they once looked to get. History suggested that the P Sara Oval remains good for batting and the third day was crucial for both teams as Sri Lanka were looking to get well ahead of the visitors’ total while India aimed for quick wickets.

Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirmanne batted brilliantly in the first hour. The two put on a fifty-run stand for the 4^th wicket and looked solid in the middle. Sri Lanka dominated the Indian attack as they reached 224 for 3 without losing any wicket in the pre lunch session. Virat Kohli tried all the bowlers but none of them was able to get the breakthrough.

India resorted to strange tactics straight after the lunch interval when the new ball was handed to Ashwin while Ishant Sharma attempted a round the wicket-short ball strategy. Ishant however reaped rewards for his attempt when Thirimanne was adjudged out caught-behind looking to drive a full delivery. Both Thirimanne and Mathews expressed their displeasure at the decision but the former had no choice but to walk in the absence of DRS.

After going wicketless in the morning session, India came back strongly to take 4 vital wickets including the crucial scalp of Chandimal. It was a start-stop session as there were two rain breaks. Not to forget, amidst all that, Mathews battled hard at the other end and soon registered his 6th Test ton, one of his better ones and a class innings. However, Binny sent him back soon after he reached the triple figures and recorded his first wicket in Tests. Dhammika didn’t last long as Mishra got one to turn and bounce.

At Tea Sri Lanka reached 295 for seven in 103 overs, still trailing India by 95 runs. The visitors were looking to pick up the remaining three wickets as soon as possible. Sri Lanka’s attempts at reducing the first innings deficit suffered an early blow in the evening session when the last specialist batsman, Jehan Mubarak was cleaned up by Amit Mishra. The leggie soon wrapped up the Sri Lankan tail as he got Tharindu Kausal stumped for six.

India made a good comeback as they picked up seven wickets for 65 runs to bowl out Sri Lanka for 306 and take an all important lead of 87 runs. Angelo Mathews (102), Lahiru Thirimanne (62) and Kaushal Silva (51) anchored Lankan innings. Mishra was the pick of the bowlers with four for 43 while R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma bagged two wickets each.

India’s 2^nd innings started much in the same way as their first with an early wicket. First innings centurion KL Rahul was done in by a Dhammika delivery which cut in sharp after pitching, Rahul was forward committed to the drive; but she beat his defense and uprooted the stumps. Angelo Mathews’ ploy to give the new ball to Rangana Herath didn’t bear dividends as both Vijay and Rahane batted circumspectly to get their eye in. The 50 of the partnership came up even as Mathews introduced both spinners into the attack. The duo put their heads down and carried their bats unbeaten when the light meters were out and play was called off with the Indian score at 70/1.

Earlier in the day India were made to work hard for their wickets, especially by Mathews and Thirimanne, but they stuck to their guns and would be very happy after having a brilliant day at the office. They have a sizeable lead of 157 and 9 wickets in the kitty to build on it. The Lankan bowlers bowled with a lot of heart in the final session but have just the one wicket to show for their efforts.

India is in a position from where they can call the shots. Sri Lanka need a big effort from their bowlers tomorrow if they are to get back in it. A Sri Lankan comeback can’t be ruled out though, especially after what we saw at Galle.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka 1^st innings – 306 (Mathews 102, Thirimanne 62; Mishra 4-43)

India 2^nd innings – 70/1 (Vijay 39*, Rahane 28*; Prasad 1-12) lead by 157 runs.