Dhawan just pure dynamite

– Shikhar Dhawan (above) smashed a career-best 190 during a brilliant Indian batting assault on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Dhawan struck 31 boundaries in a blazing 168-ball knock and Cheteshwar Pujara joined in with an unbeaten 144 to take the visitors to 399/3 at stumps.

The hosts toiled in the Galle field and suffered a major blow when all-rounder Asela Gunaratne broke his thumb trying a catch. He is expected to miss the rest of the three-Test series.

Dhawan and Pujara put on 253 for the second wicket after skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat under an overcast sky.

Kohli himself went for three when he tried to pull a chest-high delivery from paceman Nuwan Pradeep (3/64). He nicked behind instead to Niroshan Dickwella.

Pradeep’s appeal was initially turned down but the decision was overturned by the TV umpire when replays showed the ball had grazed Kohli’s bat.

It was a blow but no major problem for India as Dhawan took the opening day honours, celebrating his return to Test cricket with a breathtaking array of shots.

It was the second time he had scored a century in a single Test session, having made 187 on his debut against Australia – including 106 in one session.

Dhawan scored 126 off just 90 balls between lunch and tea, leaving Virender Sehwag as the only other Indian batsman to score more runs in a single session.

The 31-year-old got a standing ovation from team-mates in the dressing room upon completing his fifth Test century. – AFP