Mendis and Karunaratne show some fight to frustrate India’s attack
India tightened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka despite a fighting century by Kusal Mendis during the hosts’ follow-on in Colombo yesterday.
Mendis put on 191 runs for the second wicket with opener Dimuth Karunaratne (92 not out) before falling to paceman Hardik Pandya for 110 just before stumps on the third day of proceedings.
The hosts were 209-2 at close, still trailing India by 230 runs in their second innings. Karunaratne and nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara on two were at the crease.
“Credit to them, they batted really really well. I don’t think we did too much wrong,” said India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took five wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings. “Hopefully we will try and nick them off tomorrow.
“I think this wicket will get slower and slower. It is not going to be easy work tomorrow, for sure.”
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka nosedived from their overnight 50-2 to 183 all out at lunch, handing the visitors a chance to clinch the three-match series 2-0. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who topscored for the hosts with 51 in the first innings, said the team needs to back itself at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
“We weren’t good in the first session. We had plans before the second innings started,” Dickwella said. “Track is not difficult at all. We adapted brilliantly. We had a plan and we executed it well and that’s the reason why we are 209-2.
“We have to back ourselves 100 per cent. We are international players and we need to adapt quickly.”
The islanders were in early trouble in the second innings when paceman Umesh Yadav got opener Upul Tharanga out for 2 after lunch on a seemingly deteriorating pitch.
The left-right batting combination of Karunaratne and Mendis then dug in their heels to thwart the Indian bowling attack.
The duo handled the Indian spinners with aplomb, using their feet to good effect as they led the recovery.
“They both are great players. They executed the plans and used the crease and swept well. Mendis has been a brilliant player in his small career,” Dickwella said.