VIRAT COMPLETES 1000 RUNS AS CAPTAIN
MUKUND, KOHLI PROPEL INDIA’S LEAD TO 498 AGAINST SL
India ticked all the boxes on Day 3 with Virat Kohli and Abhinav Mukund, who had missed out on runs in the first innings helping themselves to half-centuries but not before the bowlers ensured a handsome first-innings lead against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Kohli (batting 76 off 114 balls) and Mukund (89 off 117 balls) scored at a brisk pace, adding 133 off 178 balls to help India finish on 189 for three and stretch the lead to 498 at close on the third day at the Galle International Stadium.
With the game predictably growing one-sided with every over, the contrast between the two sides was most obvious in the way they negotiated the final session of play --- Sri Lanka on Thursday and India on Friday. The Indian bowlers had turn, drift and bounce on offer when they prised out the home team’s top-order, while on the third evening watching Kohli and Mukund bat, it felt like they were playing on a featherbed.
Earlier, India took a 309-run lead after bundling out Sri Lanka for 291. The India captain opted to wait before going for the kill by not enforcing the follow-on.
STRONG STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN KOHLI
The interest on the third day mainly centered around Kohli. It is his first Test after the belowpar series against Australia at home, and the coach-controversy. It is natural to feel the pressure. To add to it, he had failed in the first innings. But, when he walked out to bat after the 86-minute stoppage caused by a thundershower in the afternoon session, Kohli was confidence personified. He began with a boundary and continued to play delightful strokes.
When Pradeep came on for his second spell, Kohli greeted him with back-to-back fours; first a cover drive and then one to the square leg fence.
It completely deflated the Sri Lankan attack. Pradeep, who took six wickets in the first innings, conceded 35 runs in six wicketless overs.
It was expected that after getting Kohli out on a bouncer in the first innings, the Sri Lankan pacers would target him with the short stuff.
Surprisingly, they hardly tested the India captain with the short stuff. One reason could be that the first innings effort had taken a toll on them.
MUKUND MAKES AN IMPRESSION
If KL Rahul is declared fit, Mukund knows he is unlikely to get another chance in this series, especially after flopping in the first innings. With the pressure of selection off him, the southpaw played freely, leaving a good impression with a polished innings.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets and debutant Hardik Pandya claimed his maiden Test wicket as India restricted the Sri Lankan lower-order.
But for an unconvincing DRS verdict against Dilruwan Perera, India could have wrapped up the proceedings much earlier than 291.
Perera, who defied India with some bold hitting on way to an undefeated 92, looked plumb in front of the wicket against Jadeja’s slider when he was on 38, but the ‘Ultraedge’ bizarrely showed the ball was going over the stumps.
The ball had hit below the batsman’s knee roll and didn’t have much distance to travel to the stumps.