Sri Lanka 165/4 on half centuries by Mathews and Thirimanne: India dismissed for 172

Sri Lanka took control of the first Test Match against India closing on a healthy 165 for 4 wickets steered by resolute half centuries by Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews to take a 7-run first innings lead having dismissed India for 172 at the close on the third day’s playmate den gardens, Kolkatta. Mathews made 52 and Thirimanne 51 combining in a solid 99-run alliance for the third wicket. The two experienced campaigners came together with Sri Lanka wobbling on 34 for the loss of 2 wickets having lost openers Dimuth Karunaratne for 8 and Sadeera Samarawickrema for 23 in 6.4 overs. It did open the gate for India to press home that advantage to make it even stevens on the first innings.

But the left handed Thirimanne, making a comeback from a long form rut, batting in the pivotal No.3 slot found an able ally in former captain Angelo Mathews as the right-left combination used all their experience to blunt the Indian pace bowling attack to good effect. Both were content to play the cat and mouse waiting game nudging and padding up in progressively wearing off the Indian seamers. Thirimanne survived a dropped catch at first slip by Shikhar Dhawan which was the one blemish in an otherwise composed knock towards the team’s cause. The Sri Lankan batsmen were of course well aware of the early terrors of the wicket that had seen their bowlers break the backbone of the Indian batting and it was significant they fronted the Indian bowlers to a game plan to drive home the advantage of having bowled out the opposition cheaply.

Both Thirimanne and Mathews lasted ideally 94 balls apiece and struck an equal number of 8 boundaries. When Thirimanne was out not long after after tea though, Umesh hit rhythm and cranked up the pace. An inswinger from around the wicket held its line, took to an outside edge that flew low to Virat Kohli’s left at second slip. The Indian skipper made no mistake and Sri Lanka’s third wicket fell at133 in 36.2 overs. Mathews followed 5 runs later caught Rahul bowled Yadav and it was 138 for 4. But Skipper Dinesh Chandimal who came in at No.5 took Sri Lanka to safety by stumps in an unfinished fifth wicket partnership of 27 runs. Chandimal was on 13 off 33 balls and Dickwella on 14 off 16 as the pair continued to carry on from where Thirimanne and Mathews left.

By and large the gamble by the Sri Lankan skipper to promote his most experienced batter Mathews to No.4 was the dividends paying factor in Sri Lanka getting close to taking a healthy first innings lead. This would largely depend on the rest when play resumes on a decisive fourth day when Sri lanka will need to force the opposition bowling in search of a sizable lead to bowl at India if Chandimal and his charges are to go for a win.

India, resuming on an overnight 54 for 5 wickets, lost Cheteshwar Pujara for 52 adding just 5 to his overnight 47 being comprehensively bowled by paceman Lahiru Gamage as India progressed to 172 helped by a wagging tail. Sri lanka’s hero Suranga Lakmal finished with fine figures of 4 for 26 in 19 overs for a record 12 maidens while Gamage claimed 2 for 59, dasdun Shanaka 2 for 36 and off spinner Dilruwan Perera chipping in with 2 for 19.

By Srian Obeyesekere

-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-