Sri Lanka v India 3rd Test Day 4: 5 Talking points

Sri Lanka v India 3rd Test Day 4: 5 Talking points: When the 4^th day of the 3rd Test commenced at Colombo, both the teams had come to the ground with the aim of tilting the match in their favor. India had lost three early wickets before the end of the 3^rd day’s play that made the match evenly poised. The Indian team started the day at 21-3 but by the team they got all-out they were in the position of ascendancy as they had set an improbable target of 386 runs for the hosts to win the decider match of the series. Sri Lankan team has never chased down a total of more than 352 runs in Test cricket.

And when Indian bowlers made early in-roads in the Lankan batting line-up, they were left in a dire situation. By the end of the day, the hosts were struggling on 67/3 needing further 319 runs on the final day to win the match.

Here are the Sri Lanka v India 3rd Test Day 4: 5 Talking points:

1. India’s fight back with the bat:

In the 2^nd innings, India got off to the worst possible start as they lost their first 3 wickets on 7 runs. Suddenly, India’s chances in the match started looking grim. But today, the batters put up a solid show in testing conditions that helped India post a total of 274 runs in the 2^nd innings. Rohit Sharma and Binny played resilient knocks while the Indian lower-order which is characterized for collapsing like pack of cards put up an indifferent show. The last four batters added 103 runs and put India into the driver’s seat in the match. Ashwin top-scored in the innings with 58 runs.

2. Rohit – Binny partnership:

At 64/4, it seemed that Sri Lankan’s were turning the tables but then the pair of Rohit Sharma and Stuart Binny came to India’s rescue. They added 54 runs for the 5^th wicket in as fewer as 63 deliveries to halt Sri Lanka’s resurgence in the match and drift the momentum of the game in favor of the Indian’s. Rohit Sharma caressed some elegant shots while Binny proved his mettle with the bat and justified why he was drafted in the Indian squad. Rohit and Binny scored 50 and 49 runs respectively.

Also Read – Twitter reactions: Ishant and Ashwin ease India into the driver’s seat

3. Fast bowling pair of Prasad and Pradeep:

The bowling pair of Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep blew fire on the 22 yards throughout India’s 2^nd innings. The pitch which assisted fast bowlers was fully exploited by both of them. They bowled aggressive line and lengths and their pace made the things even more difficult for the Indian batters. Prasad and Pradeep scalped 4 wickets each and accumulated 8 wickets in the 2nd innings. At once, it looked that they can snatch the match away from the tourists as well but then came a brilliant show of batting by the Indian team.

4. Ishant Sharma’s tiff with the Sri Lankan’s:

When Ishant Sharma came out to bat, Dhammika was bowling some fiery bouncers and was not ready to take a step back as with bouncers Ishant was served with some hostile piece of words as well. In between all this, Chandimal was also spotted making a slight physical contact with Sharma. Umpires interrupted in between to calm down things in the middle. After the innings ended, Prasad was seen running after Ishant towards the dressing room. Ishant was fired up after the incident and after he scalped Chandimal’s wicket, he celebrated the wicket crazily by banging on his own head. It seems that exciting turn of events is awaiting itself on the 5^th and final day of the 3^rd Test.

5. Mathews blunder on the captaincy front:

Nuwan Pradeep and Dhammika Prasad were looking at their impeccable best on a pitch which was very unlike the Colombo track, we know. The ball was not spinning as much as it was seaming. But today Mathews brought Rangana Herath in the 6^th over of the day and then persisted with him in the morning session. The Indian batters who were struggling for life on a lively track suddenly started feeling sigh of relief as they were not attacked with fast bowlers from both the ends. As a result, Binny and Rohit were able to stitch a 54 run stand which helped the Indian’s to stage a comeback in the match.