Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka hold on to a fighting draw at Kotla, India seal series

It was a rather anti-climax ending to the Test series between India and Sri Lanka. Much against all expectations, the visiting side showed great character with the bat to settle for a draw in the final Test at the Feroze Shah Kotla, Delhi. Over the last five days in the match, there was a lot of brouhaha over the things on which the players had very little control.

The smog dominated the news headlines more than the career-best majestic double ton from the Indian captain Virat Kohli. Amidst all this, team Sri Lanka managed to carve out a mini victory for themselves in the match. When they arrived in to the tour, they were expected to be whitewashed by the Indian team. This was largely due to their tourwash numbers in the reverse fixtures earlier this season.

However, the experienced batsmen of the Sri Lankan team took responsibility to ensure that their first innings did not crumble like ten pins. Also, the youngsters stepped up in the second innings to avoid a defeat. All in all, the team effort helped them avoid a 2-0 scoreline in the series. For the hosts, they would be happy with a series win.

But the scoreline of 1-0 is something that Virat Kohli’s men will find hard to digest. Considering the fact that they were minutes away from a turnaround win in Kolkata, and a few good deliveries away from a win in Delhi, the team will have a hard pill to swallow as they regroup for the limited overs.

Talking about the match, team India posted a mammoth 536/7 in their first innings before Kohli was forced into a premature declaration due to Sri Lanka’s antics. Murali Vijay and Kohli scored tons for the hosts. In response, tons from Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews kept the Indian team at bay. Some quick runs from India in the second innings saw Sri Lanka getting a target of 410.

The target was never achievable but they always would have taken a draw with both hands. Dhananjaya de Silva’s ton, combined with the grit of Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella saw the match end in a draw.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to the game:

The Test ends in draw, but India win the series – their 9th series-win on the trot. With this India have equalled Australia's world record of most consecutive series-wins in Test cricket.#INDvSL #INDvsSL #SLvsInd

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 6, 2017

Sri Lanka's 299/5 is the highest total by a visiting side in fourth inns of a Test match in India#IndvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 6, 2017

Sri Lanka dominated only the first day and the last day of the series and ended with a pretty good result. Funny series this has been. #INDvSL

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) December 6, 2017

Well played to Sri Lanka…. last of the six Tests this year… but they finally came to the party. India should think hard about their slip cordon ahead of SA tour. #IndvSL

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) December 6, 2017

Most consecutive series wins in Test cricket:

9 – Australia, 2005/06-2008
9* – INDIA, 2015-2017/18*
8 – England, 1884-1890#INDvSL

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 6, 2017

Very impressive batting by Lanka – some so called bigger countries could learn about application from them… #indvsl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) December 6, 2017

This has been a top-drawer effort from Sri Lanka's batsmen. Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva have shown admirable discipline and shown what they can do if they apply themselves #INDvSL

— Arun Venugopal (@scarletrun) December 6, 2017

After first Test: Sri Lanka draws the match which is no less than a win.
After third Test: Sri Lanka draws the match which is equal to a win.

Hence, Sri Lanka wins the series 2-1. Congrats @OfficialSLC #INDvSL

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) December 6, 2017

Dhananjaya de Silva & Roshen Silva were benched for first 2 Tests & Thirimanne played. Explain this @OfficialSLC selectors? @sajfernando #SriLanka #LKA

— Daniel Alexander? (@daniel86cricket) December 6, 2017

Fantastic batting from @OfficialSLC Yes.. couple who have been sitting out for a long time have stepped up and have effectively lost Only 1 wicket today against all odds #INDvSL Cmon .. see it home !!!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 6, 2017

Most wins for a Captain in International cricket in a calendar year:

31 – Ricky Ponting, 2005 (1 win for World XI)
31 – VIRAT KOHLI, 2017
29 – Sanath Jayasuriya, 2001
29 – Ricky Ponting, 2003
29 – Ricky Ponting, 2007
29 – Graeme Smith, 2007#INDvSL

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 6, 2017

Dhananjaya de Silva Retired Hurt. All Credits To Me. Thank Me Later. #Smog #INDvSL #INDvsSL

— Arvind Kejriwal (@TroluKejri) December 6, 2017

Big LOL at umpiring standards in India, Mathews should've been also given not out, well well. #INDvSL

— Inthiqab Omer (@Inthiqab93) December 6, 2017

Lol, Sanjay Manjrekar says bowler deserves some credit for getting a wicket off a no-ball? The commentaries during this #INDvSL have been beyond ridiculous.

— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) December 6, 2017

Angelo Mathews out off a NOBALL. Sri Lanka play against 14 players, smog and pollution in Delhi. Dimuth & Lakmal fell last evening when they should have gone off for bad light #INDvSL #SriLanka #LKA

— Daniel Alexander? (@daniel86cricket) December 6, 2017

Lost only just one wicket (even with bad air) in the FINAL DAY of the test match….

Can't ask more. Well done our heros??#INDvSL @RusselArnold69 pic.twitter.com/qS5VJoHnQu

— A Cricket Fan ? (@VishuddikaSri) December 6, 2017

It's a draw in Delhi! Handshakes all around after Sri Lanka reach the final half hour on 299/5, India win the series 1-0! #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/4I29NaSZqC

— ICC (@ICC) December 6, 2017

When you are too much excited about #makarsakranti
Test ko choro Patang ko pakdo.. ??@imVkohli #India #indiavssrilanka #Delhi #INDvSL # pic.twitter.com/c76jaTYSGW

— RJ Ravi (@rravi88) December 6, 2017