India ahead in Sanga’s farewell Test despite Mathews’ heroics

India took control of the second Test against Sri Lanka after a fruitful third day’s play at P. Sara Oval grounds on Saturday. 

Post-lunch, Indian bowlers led by Amit Mishra grabbed the final 7 Lankan wickets for 65 runs to dismiss the hosts for 306 even though Captain Marvel, Angelo Mathews caressed his 6th Test century, another fabulous knock by the 28-year old star all-rounder. 

Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane added 55 runs for the 2nd wicket and withstood the Lankan bowlers in the fading light to stretch the lead to 157 runs with 9 wickets and 2 days in hand. 

India in their second innings lost their first-innings centurion, KL Rahul for 2 when his leg-stump was uprooted by a cracking Dhammika Prasad in-deeper in the very first over. 

Earlier, the hosts’ resumed from their overnight score of 140 for 3 and added 84 runs without losing a wicket in the opening session. The Indian seam pairing, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav bowled with good control to the Lankan pair of Thirimanne and Mathews but they negotiated the threat excellently. 

After lunch, Ishant Sharma ended the 127-run stand for the 4th wicket when Thirimanne was given caught behind after scoring his 6th half-century. He was unhappy with the decision but without DRS, on-field umpires have the final say. 

Galle Test match’s hero, Dinesh Chandimal (11) was the next to go when he was induced for an outside edge by Ishant Sharma and was caught by KL Rahul at second slip. 

Mathews brought out the reverse-sweep against Ashwin’s off-spinner to reach his milestone but few balls later he chased a wide delivery off Stuart Binny and was caught at second slip. Incidentally this was Binny’s first Test wicket.

Dhammika Prasad was undone by Mishra’s spin and bounce as the ball brushed the glove and lobbed to Rahane at first slip. 

Soon after the tea break, Mishra clean bowled Jehan Mubarak (22) using his guile and spin. Within five overs, Indian spinners cleaned up the irresponsible Lankan tail to secure a valuable 87-run first innings lead. 

India – 393 all out in 114 overs: KL Rahul 108, Rohit Sharma 79, Virat Kohli 78, Wriddhiman Saha 56, Rangana Herath 4/81, Dushmantha Chameera 2/72, Angelo Mathews 2/24, Dhammika Prasad 2/84.

Sri Lanka – 306 all out in 108 overs: Kaushal Silva 51, Kumar Sangakkara 32, Angelo Mathews 102, Lahiru Thirimanne 62, Amit Mishra 4/43, Ishant Sharma 2/68, R Ashwin 2/76.

India (2nd inn) – 70/1 in 29.2 overs: Murali Vijay 39*, Ajinkya Rahane 28*.

Full Scorecard (Courtesy – BBC Sport)

India 2nd Innings