Twitter Reactions: Dimuth Karunaratne's century puts Sri Lanka in command in first Test against West Indies

Dimuth Karunaratne slammed an unbeaten 132 on Day 1.

By Gaurav Tripathi

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Dimuth Karunaratne
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Dimuth Karunaratne. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Sri Lanka have made a strong start in the ongoing two-match Test series against West Indies. Electing to bat first in the opening Test, the home team ended Day 1 at 267/3. It was a day to remember for Sri Lanka as their skipper Dimuth Karunaratne put up a batting exhibition and slammed a brilliant ton at the Galle International Stadium.

The southpaw walked back unbeaten at 132 at stumps, and would be raring to enhance his tally even further. Besides the veteran opener, Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva also showcased great resistance and notched up half-centuries. As far as West Indies are concerned, off-spinner Roston Chase scalped a couple of wickets while Shannon Gabriel took the other wicket.

Notably, this game marked the start of both teams’ campaign in the second edition of the World Test Championship. As neither Sri Lanka nor West Indies could make a significant mark in the previous edition, this game was very crucial for both camps. While Sri Lanka would undoubtedly be the happier team at the conclusion of Day 1, the Caribbean camp has some thinking to do.

Dimuth Karunaratne smashed his fourth Test ton in 2021

Speaking of the proceedings, the track looked ideal for batting and Sri Lankan openers did miss out on making a mark. Both Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka tackled the new ball with precision and added 139 runs for the first wicket. While the former was dismissed for 56, Karunaratne wasn’t in any mood of throwing his start away.

He went onto smash a sensational ton as West Indies bowlers looked utterly clueless. Notably, the Sri Lankan opener became the only second batter after England’s Joe Root to smash four or more centuries in Test matches in 2021. Meanwhile, the visitors seemed to have made some sort of comeback after Oshada Fernando and Angelo Mathews perished after scoring three runs apiece.

Nevertheless, Karunaratne found a substantial partner in Dhananjaya de Silva, who looked in great touch. The all-rounder backed his attacking approach and scored runs quickly. He also walked back unbeaten at 56 . It has to be noted that as many as eight West Indies bowlers rolled their arm over on Day 1. However, only two of them were among the wickets. While the Lankan Lions would like to post a mammoth first-innings score on Day 1, the visitors will aim to minimize the damage.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to the proceedings of Day 1 of Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st Test:

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