Sri Lanka 50 for 2 chasing India’s 622/9 decl.
By Srian Obeyesekere
Like at Galle, Sri Lanka was staring down
the barrel at close of play on the second day at the SSC.
Sri Lanka had lost two wickets for 50 runs consuming 20 overs chasing India’s mammoth 622 for 9 wickets declared. Kusal Mendis was on 16 off 48 balls inclusive of 3 boundaries with skipper Dinesh Chandimal on 8 off 21 balls.
India’s intent was crystal clear of grinding Sri Lanka to the hilt on the field for maximum dwarfing run leverage to bowl at the opposition; the obvious slogan word being cat and mouse tactics of dragging Dinesh Chandimal’s charges.
to the bone on the field with a strong lower middle order and tail to add the fusion to the good work by the top order.
This game plan India perfected to their liking. Having lost overnight century makers Pujara and Rahane between 80 runs from the overnight 333 for 4 wickets, India’s batting lacked nothing with three half centurions in R. A. Jadeja, who slammed an 85-ball cameo of 70 containing 4 boundaries and 3 sixes, and W.P. Saha 67 and R. Ashwin 54. It was the ideal scripting Indian skipper Virat Kohli could ask for from his men to mount the heat on a Sri Lankan bowling attack that lacked penetration or the extra zip. Pujara made 133 and Rahane 132
in a top order run foundation to build on. Herath claimed 4 for 154 off 42 overs, and Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 156 off 38.2 overs.
Sri Lanka carried thehandicap of not having the services of solitary paceman Nuwan Pradeep on the second day bugged by a hamstring injury.
When Sri Lanka batted, Kohli went on the offensive ringing in a close in field with two slips and two close in fielders in a Mohammed Shami-R. Aswin pace-spin operation.
That it brought early dividends by the second over wicket of Upul Tharanga for a duck off the bowling of Aswin to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 1 for naught justified India’s tough tactics wrung over the Sri Lankan top order. Tharanga fended half heartedly at an Aswin delivery for Rahul at forward short leg to press his arms to his chest aftert he ball hit his chest. Karunaratne made 25 off 45 balls inclusive of 2 boundaries and was out in the fourth ball of the thirteenth over. Skipper Chandimal did give a hintt o the rest of the batsmen that the way forward was to fight fire with fire of countering Kohli’s strong in field when he slammed a six. It left an expectantthird day that would be decisive to Sri Lanka, still 578 in arrears.
