SANJJEEV K SAMYAL

After an intense contest on the opening day, normalcy was restored in the one-way battle between India and Sri Lanka with the visitors completely dominating proceedings on the second day of the third Test at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s bowling on the first day proved an aberration, as they were unable to maintain the intensity when challenged by the talent of young Hardik Pandya. It was a day when the Indian allrounder could do no wrong, smashing his maiden Test hundred (108 off 96 balls) to lift India’s total to 487 and then taking a wicket with the third ball he bowled.

After the Pandya show, India were all over the Sri Lanka team, like vultures hovering over their helpless prey. Led by Kuldeep Yadav’s second four-wicket haul in as many Tests, the hosts were shot out for 135. Forced to follow-on, they were 19 for one. With India still 333 runs ahead, the visitors are firmly in line for a historic clean sweep in the threeTest series.

The story of the day, however, was Hardik Pandy’s batting. The 23-year-old Baroda player batted with the responsibility of a seasoned pro to absorb all the early pressure before wading into the attack when left to bat with the last man.

Pandya moved from fifty to hundred off just 25 balls with two fours and six sixes, reaching his hundred off 86 balls with seven fours and seven sixes.

Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara bore the brunt of Pandya’s blade, taken apart for 26 runs in one over with two fours and three sixes - the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in one over in Tests, bettering Sandeep Patil and Kapil Dev, who both had 24 each.

Pandya got invaluable support from Kuldeep Yadav, the two sharing a 62-run partnership (117 balls) for the eighth wicket. Yadav made 26 runs (73 balls, 2 fours) before he was eighth out at the total of 401.