GALLE: Bowlers put their foot on the pedal after a flamboyant innings from debutant Hardik Pandya enabling India to be in firm control of the proceedings in the first Test against Sri Lanka, here.
At stumps on the second day, Sri Lanka were struggling at 154 for 5 after Pandya’s 49-ball-50 helped the visitors reach a mammoth first innings score of 600. Shikhar Dhawan with 190 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 153 were the cornerstone of the gigantic total.
Sri Lanka need another 246 runs to avoid the follow-on with former skipper Angelo Mathews batting on 54.
Mohammed Shami (2/30) had an impressive comeback to Test arena while Umesh Yadav (1/50 in 8 overs) was erratic unable to hit the right length. Ravichandran Ashwin (1/49 in 18 overs) was economical and Abhinav Mukund’s alertness in the field contributed to a run-out.
“I think the key for us, even in the last season, was that we have bowled really well. There is some assistance as well for the spinners. Ashwin and Jadeja both have been bowling really well even in the last season,” senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara said at the end of the day.
“I think our bowlers, they have bowled better lines and lengths (thank Sri Lankan bowlers) and I think tomorrow onwards, we will see a little more turn on this wicket. The pitch is drying up, so there will be more assistance tomorrow onwards,” he added. (AGENCIES)
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