Twitter Reactions: Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer's splendid half-centuries tighthen India's grip over Bengaluru Test

Rishabh Pant went berserk with the willow in hand and scored a resplendent half-century.

By R Sai Siddhharth

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Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer
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Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: BCCI)

India tightened their grip in the ongoing 2nd Test match, as Sri Lanka were rendered totally helpless. At the end of Day 2, Sri Lanka were reeling at 28/1, as the hosts completely dominated their opposition. Chasing a target of 447 on a trick Bengaluru track, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket in the very first over of the innings, when Lahiru Thirimanne was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.

The left-hander walked back for a duck. However, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis played out a tricky spell of bowling from the Indian pacers to prevent any further damage.

India start their second innings in a steady manner

Meanwhile, skipper Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal started the Indian second innings with a solid 42-run stand for the opening wicket. Both batters struck some crisp boundaries in their association. India lost their first wicket when Mayank Agarwal edged Lasith Embuldeniya to the slip cordon.

Hanuma Vihari then came in and put on a 56-run stand with Rohit Sharma. But just when it seemed as if the partnership would bloom further, Rohit hit Dhananjaya De Silva straight down the throat of Angelo Mathews at long on.

As expected, there was a massive roar when batting colossus Virat Kohli walked out to the middle. However, the 33-year-old once again flattered to deceive. Kohli was trapped dead in front of the stumps by Praveen Jayawickrama and walked back for just 13 runs.

Rishabh Pant goes berserk

Then, Rishabh Pant went completely berserk with the willow in hand. The left-hander was in the mood for annihilation. Pant made his intentions clear off the second delivery he faced. The left-hander danced down the track and deposited Jayawickrama into the stands. His second six came off the 7th delivery he faced, where the Pant stepped out and hit Dhananjaya De Silva over Long off.

At the other end, Shreyas Iyer came in and settled into the groove, while Pant went about taking apart the opposition bowlers. Pant reached his half-century off the 28th delivery he faced with a  sizzling cover drive. Soon after he reached his half-century, Pant departed. The left-hander skied a Jayawickrama delivery, and the bowler completed a ‘caught and bowled’ safely.

Shreyas Iyer continued to pile the misery on the Sri Lankan bowlers after Pant’s dismissal. The right-hander shifted the tempo between caution and aggression and scored a handy 87-ball 67 for India, his second half-century of the match. India declared their second innings with their scorecard reading 303/9, thereby setting Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 447.

India polish off the Sri Lankan lower order

Earlier, all it took for India to take the final four Sri Lankan wickets was 5.5 overs. Bumrah’s short ball proved to be the end of Lasith Embuldeniya. The left-hander went for the hook shot, top-edged it, and Rishabh Pant completed the formalities behind the stumps. Ravichandran Ashwin then cleaned up Suranga Lakmal with the carrom ball that Lakmal failed to spot.

Bumrah then picked up his 5th wicket of the innings with a well-directed bouncer, and all that Niroshan Dickwella could do was edge the ball to the keeper. The Sri Lankan innings came to a close when Ashwin snaffled Vishwa Fernando. The visitors were subsequently bowled out for a paltry total of 109.

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