Sri Lanka reach 140/3 in reply to India's 393
Sri Lanka, aided by right-handed batsman Kaushal Silva's 51 runs, reached 140/3
India were bowled out for 393 in their first innings, adding only 74 runs for the loss of four wickets at the P. Sara Oval. At stumps, Sri Lanka trailed by 253 runs with seven wickets in hand.
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Lahiru Thrimanne and skipper Angelo Mathews were unbeaten on 28 and 19 respectively. Fast bowler Umesh Yadav, spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra grabbed a wicket each for the visitors.
Veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara was the first man out in the last session of the day as an Ashwin turner found the edge of the left-hander's bat. Ajinkya Rahane, who had taken eight catches in the last Test, dived to his left to pluck the ball and complete the dismissal.
Silva on the other hand was having no trouble tackling the Indian bowlers. The right-hand bat after forging a 74-run partnership with Sangakkara, remained firm and clobbered a few more boundaries.
However, his stint at the middle was cut short by leg-spinner Mishra as he top-edged a ball to short fine leg while trying to sweep the tweaker.
Thirimanne and skipper Mathews ensured there were no further setbacks as they started rebuilding the innings when the day's play was brought to a halt.
In the morning session, the Indian innings resumed at 319/6. Sri Lanka provided an early jolt as Ashwin (2) fell cheaply.
Ashwin's partner Wriddhiman Saha lived a charmed life at the other end. He survived a Dhammika Prasad delivery that kissed his off stump without dislodging the bail and benefited from a strong caught behind appeal turned down by the third umpire after review.
Mishra also got lucky when he was adjudged not out despite edging. But the Indians failed to capitalise on the opportunities and scored very slowly.
The Saha-Mishra duo weathered the swinging new ball and played with a lot of determination to strike a 46-run partnership.
Mishra departed after scoring 24 runs as he knicked one to wicket-keeper Dinesh Chadimal off a Dushmantha Chameera delivery but not before ensuring India a sizeable total.
Earlier, after bowling out India for 393, Sri Lanka came out to bat in the post-lunch session and the tourists got an early breakthrough as Dimuth Karunaratne (1) was trapped right in front of the stumps by Yadav.
Sangakkara, playing his last Test, was the next man to come in as the Indians gave him a guard of honour.
(IANS)
