Twitter Reactions: Mukund, Kohli score fifties as India lead closes onto 500

Ever since the very first session of the game, we’ve just seen Team India dominate the proceedings. Day 3 was no different though Sri Lanka had their own consolations. To begin with, the hosts didn’t lose a single wicket in the first hour, resuming from their overnight score of 154/5.

The No.1 ranked Test bowler Ravindra Jadeja affected his first dismissal of the game as he got an important breakthrough in the form of Angelo Mathews. He also had skipper Rangana Herath glove it to Ajinkya Rahane in slip which reduced Sri Lanka to 241/7.

While the lower order kept making guest appearances at the crease, it was Dilruwan Perera’s magnificent knock of 92 not out that gave the Sri Lankan fans something to cheer for. His efforts made sure they scored 291 runs in the first innings but were still 309 short of India.

The Indians surprisingly decided not to enforce the follow-on. While Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara weren’t able to replicate their knocks from the previous innings, it was other’s turn to prove themselves. The incoming opener Abhinav Mukund and skipper Virat Kohli stepped up.

While Mukund scored his first half century in 6 years, Virat finally managed to cross the 50-run mark after failing to do so in his last 7 innings. Together they compiled a partnership of 133 runs for the third wicket. While Mukund got out on 81 in what was subsequently the last ball of the day, Kohli is looking in sublime form staying unbeaten on 76.

Dilruwan Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Kumara were the wicket takers for the Sri Lankan side. India extended their lead to a remarkable 498 runs with 2 days to go. While it seems highly unlikely that Sri Lanka has a chance to win this game, it would be interesting to see if they manage to save this match which seems to be going out of their hold.

Here are some of the amazing Twitter reactions during the course of Day 3 of the first Test:

India continue their dominance of the 1st #SLvInd Test, finishing Day 3 189/3, a lead of 498 runshttps://t.co/lllokzZiRH pic.twitter.com/pPE7jKU4rF

— ICC (@ICC) July 28, 2017

Mukund unlucky to fall in final over. Played fine hand tho. Obviously not too much pressure on Indian batsmen, but he had to prove himself

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 28, 2017

Kohli wants to score a ton or what? #SLvIND

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) July 28, 2017

Hard luck Mukund! Ton would have been so good for him..

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 28, 2017

As the cliché goes, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, but hard to see SL making a comeback in this series. Very hard to see.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) July 28, 2017

Nothing much happening in the ground india slowly build their lead #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/ncEn4XW9bI

— දිල්shan?? (@glcd89) July 28, 2017

Looking more and more like an overnight declaration with a 500 lead in Galle…unless V-Rat pulls a funky late day dec… #slvind

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) July 28, 2017

Not sure I get why Kohli hasn't declared… must have some idea when, thought having tricky 8 overs before stumps #SLvsIND

— Callum Ramsay (@Bombers83) July 28, 2017

Gavaskar says Ind might declare tomorrow morning. Isn't that a bit too late considering weather conditions? #INDvSL

— Mimi Sen (@mimisen22) July 28, 2017

Kohli should be ruthless and bat big when easy runs are up for grabs. No shame in picking low hanging fruits. #SLvInd

— cricBC (@cricBC) July 28, 2017

The men who scored less on the first day is performing today with 50s. #INDvSL @imVkohli @mukundabhinav So that's called #TeamIndia @BCCI

— Mithunraj V R (@MithunrajVR) July 28, 2017

He is back to business. Fifty for Virat Kohli #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/guLxFLXujZ

— ßєคɾɖ ßɷყ ??? (@BeingFlicked) July 28, 2017

Fine day as a fielder yesterday and now a fifty with the bat. Abhinav Mukund manages to save his Test career.

— Abhay Gupta (@Abhay00) July 28, 2017

On 16* now – this is Kohli's highest score in his last 7 innings in Test cricket#SLvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 28, 2017

Pelting down now. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/yQwuewEFjd

— Vishaal Loganathan (@vishaal_CB) July 28, 2017

Umesh Yadav Econ with 5.57..How many chances he needs to imp as bowler god knows ?

— Amit Bhilwade (@ab619cricket) July 28, 2017

India have taken a 300+ first innings lead 13 times; only once before (v Eng, The Oval, 2007) did they not enforce the follow-on. #SLvInd

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) July 28, 2017

Waiting for the 'Dhawan plays too many shots for Test cricket, needs to be dropped' tweets #SLvInd

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) July 28, 2017

Last chance for Mukund to make a mark. Expect India to bat out today and score 200 odd to set it up. #SLvIND

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 28, 2017

Seventh instance of Kohli getting a chance to enforce follow-on and fifth time he hasn't. He ended winning the four previous ones.#SLvIND

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) July 28, 2017

Horrible session for India despite the wickets. Make too many mistakes which won't go unpunished against a stronger side.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 28, 2017

The Lankan top order needs to learn from how the lower half applied themselves today. #IndVSL

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 28, 2017

Jadeja is a friggin bowling machine- tireless, quick, accurate #SLvInd

— Samreen (@SamreenRazzaqui) July 28, 2017

The way batsmen are scoring runs, this match is looking like a Galle cricket match.#INDvSL

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) July 28, 2017

.@hardikpandya7 gets his maiden Test wicket! ? He rattles the timber as Pradeep is gone. Sri Lanka starring down the barrel. #SLvIND

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 28, 2017

Very impressed with Dilruwan Perera. Batted one position higher than he had to and looked completely at home

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 28, 2017

Here comes the GOAT all rounder, Ghareebon ka Jacques Kallis.#SLvIND

— Athar ? (@cricdrugs) July 28, 2017