TWIN TONS GRIND SRI LANKA ON DAY 1 OF TEST
DHAWAN’S 190 AND PUJARA’S UNBEATEN 144 POWER INDIA TO RECORD TOTAL
GALLE:Shikhar Dhawan produced a dazzling exhibition of strokeplay to celebrate his return to Test cricket with a glorious 190 on the opening day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.
On the way to his career-best knock, Dhawan completed a hundred in a session for the second time, the knock rekindling memories of his blazing 187 on debut against Australia in 2013.
He faced 168 balls and hit 31 fours. Dhawan found a solid partner in Cheteshwar Pujara (144 batting, 246 balls, 12 fours). The two shared a 253-run partnership for the second wicket as India completely dominated the opening skirmish of the three-Test series, finishing the day on a whopping 399 for three wickets.
The two have fond memories of their previous tour to this island nation. Dhawan’s last century in Test cricket had also come at this picturesque venue, in 2015, and Pujara had turned around his career with anbeaten 145 in the final Test win in that series.
Pujara continued to build on Dhawan’s heroics by adding 113 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (39 batting) for the fourth wicket after skipper Virat Kohli was out for three runs.
Out of the Indian team since October 2016, the stars seemed to realign favourably for Dhawan. After missing 11 Tests, he made the squad as a last minute replacement when Murali Vijay pulled up injured, and only got the opportunity to play because the other regular opener, KL Rahul, reported ill on the eve of the game.
The left-handed opener pounced on the opportunity, lighting up the scenic stadium by scoring 126 off 90 balls between lunch and his dismissal.
In all, he smashed 31 fours at a strike rate of 113.09 as he bettered his highest score.
BATTING BEAUTY
It was a bad toss to lose for the hosts. The surface was beautiful to bat on and Sri Lanka’s inexperienced attack lacked imagination and quality to test the batsmen. What hurt them most was their main weapon, skipper Rangana Herath, who has taken 93 wickets in 16 Tests at this ground, went wicketless.
Pacer Nuwan Pradeep was the lone bright spot, claiming all the three wickets.
However, he seemed fortunate with the second of his dismissals as third umpire Rod Tucker gave Virat Kohli out despite Ultraedge being inconclusive about the edge. Sri Lanka had asked for DRS when umpire Bruce Oxenford turned down the appeal for caught behind after Kohli attempted a hook shot.
Against top teams, matches change on one ball. Sri Lanka will rue the chance they had in the 14th over. It resulted in a double blow from which they will find difficult to recover.