India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 3: Sun has started to set. It has became dark and the umpires are checking their lightmeter. Chandimal tucks the first ball behind square for a couple. Then Chandimal tried to steal a single to mid off. Jadeja ran towards the money and hurled a throw. He missed. Chandimal made his ground and the ball raced away to the fence. Five runs for Sri Lanka! Too many interruptions and the umpires have decided to stop the play due to bad light.
Day 2 Report: Waging a lonely battle, Chesteshwar Pujara was three short of his 16th half-century as India were reduced to 74/5 when early lunch was called due to rain and more downpour axed Day Two of the first Test at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
Only 105 minutes of play was possible on the second day in the morning session before the skies opened up.
India's Virat Kohli and Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal. Agencies
Lunch had to be called early after rain interrupted play half hour before the break.
Pujara (47 off 102; 4x9) held fort at one end beginning the day on eight runs. The other overnight batsman, Ajinkya Rahane (4 off 21; 1x4), failed to get going and eventually fell to Dasun Shanaka (2/23) playing a poor shot as 21 overs were bowled in the first session.
Ashwin (4 off 21) was also guilty of a naive drive as India failed to recover from their overnight score of 17/3.
Suranga Lakmal, who returned magnificent figures of 6-6-0-3 on the rain-affected first day, conceded his first runs after 46 deliveries off the bat of Rahane, who three overs later fell prey to Shanaka.
Lakmal still had great figures to show for, leaking just five runs in 11 overs and bowling nine maidens and taking three wickets.
On day two, a tempted delivery outside the off-stump took a thin edge off Rahane's bat to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella as he tried to aimlessly drive through covers.
At 30/4, the hosts were in a spot with Pujara finding himself alone in the middle, tasked to bail the team out.
The in-form Saurashtra man played two exquisite off drives to Shanaka before taking on the same bowler a few overs later for another four.
Pujara looked supreme on the off side, hitting Shanaka and Lahiru Gamage for two more boundaries past mid-off area.
He was equally comfortable on the backfoot, punching a short and wide Karu.
While bowling all-rounder Ashwin struggled to settle in, taking a knock on his hand in the 25th over off Lahiru Gamage's bowling before ending his ordeal in the next over. Gamage remained wicketless with figures of 11.5-3-24-0.
Trying to drive a length Shanaka delivery, the right-hander, returning to international cricket after three months, gave an easy catch to Dimuth Karunaratne at backward point.
Later, Wriddhiman Saha, who also looked uncomfortable with the extra bounce on the wicket, went into the break unbeaten on 6 from 22 balls.
HIGHLIGHTS
OUT! And Umesh strikes for a second time in as many overs, as Mathews guides the cherry straight into the hands of an anticipating Rahul at cover while going for an expansive drive! The Indians suddenly are back in the game now! Mathews has a knack for throwing his wicket away in crucial situations, and this is yet another example of the trend. SL 138/4
Mathews c Rahul b Umesh 52(94)
FOUR! What a fine way for Angelo Mathews to bring up his 28th Test half-century, taking 86 deliveries to get to the milestone! Pulling a back-of-length delivery from Umesh towards the midwicket fence! SL 138/3
OUT! And the Indians finally manage to break the partnership! Thirimanne departs as Sri Lanka lose their third wicket with 133 on board. Thirimanne gets a thick top-edge that flies in the direction of the Indian captain at second slip, with Kohli getting into an animated celebration thereafter. Also ends the third-wicket stand at the 99-run mark. SL 133/3
Thirimanne c Kohli b Umesh 51(94)
OUT! Samarawickrama's cameo comes to an end. It was brilliant while it lasted. Bhuvi pitches it on a shortish length and Samarawickrama opts for a wrong shot. Goes for a drive on the up and ends up nicking it to Saha. Samarawickrama departs for 23.
OUT! After four dots, Bhuvi, from around the wicket, angles one around off, Karunaratne leans forward but decides to leave it alone only to be rapped below the kneeroll. India appeal and the dreaded finger goes up. Dimuth, once again, opts for a review, but it doesn't help him this time around as replays show that the ball was hitting the off stump. Review wasted!
OUT! The players had to wait for a long time for this review. Jadeja got rapped on the pads and Sri Lanka appealed. The umpire turned it down. Perera urged Chandimal to take the review and he does. Three reds! And Jadeja has to depart. Excellent review.
OUT! Sri Lanka have got the big wicket. Gamage is ecstatic and why not? He has castled Pujara. Che went for a drive and left a gap between his bat and pad. He was playing with an angled bat which allowed Gamage to go through his defence. Kohli is left shell-shocked. The Indian team cannot believe it. Puajra departs for 52.
Time to say good bye. It was a good day of cricket and Sri Lanka would be happy with their effort. However, they are still two partnerships away from setting up the match for themselves. Can they do it? Join us tomorrow to find out. Day 4 will start at 915 am.
Watch our reporter Vaibhav Shah discuss the day three's play with fans from outside the Eden Gardens stadium.
Sri Lanka have come back splendidly after losing two early wickets. They are within a couple of scoring shot of India's first innings total. Their batsmen have been beaten umpteen number of times. But have stayed focused. Important India do not concede too big a lead. The match is still open with two days to go. Lanka have to bat last. So will not want a big target to chase. This match is not over.
Even as the players have left the field, the two umpires still stand in the centre.
We are going off surely. Joel Wilson removes the bails and that is the end of Day 3's play. We lost more than 26 overs today, nevertheless, the match has moved significantly.
Sun has started to set. It has became dark and the umpires are checking their lightmeter. Chandimal tucks the first ball behind square for a couple. Then Chandimal tried to steal a single to mid off. Jadeja ran towards the money and hurled a throw. He missed. Chandimal made his ground and the ball raced away to the fence. Five runs for Sri Lanka! Too many interruptions and the umpires have decided to stop the play due to bad light.
Pretty gloomy in here. I reckon it is a matter of a few minutes.
As the physios consult Chandimal, the umpires take the opportunity to check on and even speak to the captain. We are continuing for the time being.
The two umpires consult each other in between overs and an official runs out to hand the light meter to Kettleborough. They will be needing it very soon, they might even call it off in the next over.
After 45 overs,Sri Lanka 158/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 6 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 14)
Shami is back. Initiates the spell with a short ball outside off, Dickwella shoulders his arms. Ball two is full and angling in, Dickwella blocks it. Dickwella drives the fourth ball for a boundary. Uh-oh! Bad news for India as Shami walks off the field holding his right hamstring. Kohli finishes the over: a full toss, tapped to covers.
Dickwella creams the drive through the covers and it was so good that it was appreciated by everyone seated here.
FOUR! Fuller delivery, outside off, Dickwella drives it wide of mid off.
Still 27 overs left in day's play. Really doubt we will get even the half of it, with the light fading rather quickly.
After 44 overs,Sri Lanka 152/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 6 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 8)
Back after drinks. Sri Lanka trail by 22 runs. India would like to take a wicket before they cross that mark. Bhuvi continues. Chandimal pushes the second ball through point for a couple. His third ball moves away from Chandimal late and the ball roars past his outside edge.
After 43 overs,Sri Lanka 150/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 4 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 8)
Umesh continues from the High Court End. Chandimal glances one directed at his leg-stump towards long-leg for a single off the third delivery. Dickwella collects his first boundary by glancing a back-of-length ball towards fine-leg, with Kohli not looking too happy. The Lankan keeper-batsman guides the ball towards fine-leg off the next delivery as well, but this time through an inside-edge, fetching the batsman a couple of runs. Seven off the over, with Sri Lanka reaching 150 at the end of it. Another 23 needed to go past India's first innings score. Meanwhile, the umpire calls for drinks.
FOUR! A welcome boundary for the Sri Lankans after the recent dismissals. Dickwella guides a rising delivery off his hips, with the ball running away towards the fine-leg boundary! SL 148/4
After 42 overs,Sri Lanka 143/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 3 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 2)
Bhuvneshwar comes into the attack in the 42nd over of the innings, starting off with a couple of sharp outswingers, with Dickwella collecting a single off the first ball. The Uttar Pradesh pacer tests him for the most part in the over, with the Sri Lankan captain only managing a single off the last ball after deflecting the ball towards the off side. Two off the over.
Umesh's 2 wickets have brought India back into the game. Umesh has bowled a long spell and would be ideal if he or Bhuvi could pick up Chandimal's wicket soon. He's Lanka's best bat.
Change of bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack in the 42nd over, replacing Mohammad Shami from the Pavilion End.
After 41 overs,Sri Lanka 141/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 2 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 1)
Umesh almost snares a third wicket after Dickwella appears to top-edge a short delivery to lob the ball over to the keeper for a simple catch. The Sri Lankan keeper-batsman though, reviews the umpire's decision immediately, with replays showing the ball deflecting off Dickwella's right shoulder, forcing umpire Llong to reverse his decision in favour of the visitors. Dickwella gets off the mark with a single towards sweeper point off the next ball. Chandimal sets off for a quick single off the fifth delivery, with the fielder at square-leg missing out on a direct hit that could have sent Dickwella back to the pavilion. Three off the over.
After 40 overs,Sri Lanka 138/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)
Chandimal attempts to swing his bat towards the off-side off the second delivery of the Shami over, with the ball travelling dangerously close to his outside edge while moving away from the batsman. Another peach of a delivery, this time off the last ball of the over, as the ball beats Chandimal's defence, missing the top of the stumps in the process, before travelling to the keeper. Another maiden for Shami.
After 39 overs,Sri Lanka 138/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)
Umesh's probing line outside off fetches him his second wicket in as many overs as the set batsman Mathews guides one straight into the hands of KL Rahul at cover while looking for a boundary off a drive. With two new Lankan batsmen at the crease, the Indians are back in the game and will look to dominate the evening session in order to extend their control on the match.
OUT! And Umesh strikes for a second time in as many overs, as Mathews guides the cherry straight into the hands of an anticipating Rahul at cover while going for an expansive drive! The Indians suddenly are back in the game now! Mathews has a knack for throwing his wicket away in crucial situations, and this is yet another example of the trend. SL 138/4
Mathews c Rahul b Umesh 52(94)
After 38 overs,Sri Lanka 138/3 ( Angelo Mathews 52 , Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1)
Shami continues from the other end, angling one sharply in the direction of Chandimal's pads off the third delivery but hitting him too high above the knee roll to appeal for a catch whatsoever. The Lankan captain, who is yet to settle at the crease, opts to remain cautious in the remainder of the over as Shami collects his fourth maiden.
After 37 overs,Sri Lanka 138/3 ( Angelo Mathews 52 , Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1)
Umesh starts the over off with a steep bouncer, to which Thirimanne has no option but to duck. The southpaw though, gets a real surprise next ball as he gets a thick edge off the top edge of his bat off a rising delivery, getting caught in the slips to depart for 51. Captain Chandimal walks out to bat, getting off the mark with a single off the second delivery he faces. Mathews then brings up his 28th Test fifty with a pull towards the midwicket fence. Some over this turned out to be!
FOUR! What a fine way for Angelo Mathews to bring up his 28th Test half-century, taking 86 deliveries to get to the milestone! Pulling a back-of-length delivery from Umesh towards the midwicket fence! SL 138/3
OUT! And the Indians finally manage to break the partnership! Thirimanne departs as Sri Lanka lose their third wicket with 133 on board. Thirimanne gets a thick top-edge that flies in the direction of the Indian captain at second slip, with Kohli getting into an animated celebration thereafter. Also ends the third-wicket stand at the 99-run mark. SL 133/3
Thirimanne c Kohli b Umesh 51(94)
After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 133/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 51 , Angelo Mathews 48)
Shami angles it on a length but the line is outside off, which allows Mathews to leave it comfortably. Shami responds with a lovely delivery. Same length but the line was closer to the stump, Mathews looks to drive but it whizzes past the outside edge. This time he goes on the backfoot to block it. Ball four was full and on the sticks, Mathews clips it towards midwicket. DROPPED! The ball has travelled between second slip and gully once again. The fielders, Rahane at gully and Kohli at second slip, didn't move one inch as the ball rolls away for a boundary.
After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 129/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 51 , Angelo Mathews 44)
Umesh continues. A quick single off the first ball. Some drama. Mathews gets the first official warning for running on the wicket. Thirimanne plays uppishly off the third ball. Played with hard hands. Lucky that the ball did not carry to any of the fielders. Mathews collects three next. Shami puts in a good effort at the boundary. Kolkata is known for its football, and the local boy shows his football skills. The next two balls are banged in short. Quick and short is the way to go on this pitch clearly. Five runs to the Lankans from that over.
After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 124/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 50 , Angelo Mathews 40)
Shami continues. Bowling round the wicket. The first ball is in a good channel. Left alone by Thirimanne. The next ball is cut hard. Well fielded at the point boundary. One run and that is fifty for Thirimanne. Mathews collects a four off the next ball. Picked the length up early. Six runs from that over.
FOUR! Mathews picks up the length early and pulls that ball from Shami through mid wicket and collects four. He moves on to 39.
Fifty! Short from Shami and Thirimanne cuts past point to get to his fifth Test fifty. Fifty off 86 balls with eight fours.
After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 118/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 49 , Angelo Mathews 35)
Umesh comes in to bowl. Thirimanne on strike, two runs away from his fifth fifty. The first ball is left alone. Again good carry. One run off the third ball. The batsman are being pushed on the back foot by Umesh. The fourth ball is a fuller one and driven through the cover and to the fence by Mathews. That is letting the pressure off on the batsman. No runs off the next two balls. Five runs from that over.
FOUR! Juicy fuller one from Umesh and Mathews cover drives it handsomely to the boundary. Bit of inconsistent bowling from Umesh.
After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 113/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 31)
Right then, we are back at the Eden Gardens for the final session of Day 2. Sri Lanka start 59 runs behind, as Mathews takes guard. Shami to start off proceedings in the post-Tea session for India. It has ghot overcast in Kolkata again. Good ploy to start with pace. The first ball is a delicious full one. Defended by Mathews. The batsmen may have spotted the ball late. Two more balls produce no runs. The fourth bal is a Jaffa. Great seam position, on a good length and shapes a touch away from the batsman. Beats him all ends up. There is still a lot on this Eden pitch. The last ball is left alone and that ends the first over after Tea. There is good carry for the bowlers. A maiden.
India need to break this partnership very soon. Mathews and Thirumanne have been beaten often but they have stuck to their job.They are also going at a healthy run rate. Good tea score for Lanka. India have plenty to do.
After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 113/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 31)
Tea taken. After the early strikes, Mathews and Thirimanne have put Sri Lanka in a strong position. A single off the last over before the end of second session.
After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 112/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 30)
Ashwin has kept it tight. But this pair has settled down and things are looking bleak at the moment. One off this over.
After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 112/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 30)
Bhuvi to bowl his fourth over of this spell. The wicket, however, is still eluding him. The thing is India are also not able to build pressure because of the trail. The hosts need a magical spell to turn things around.
After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 110/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 29)
Kohli will have to start thinking about the runs now. The trail is reducing with each over. One came off this over but India desperately need wickets now and a couple of them.
After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 109/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 28)
Bhuvi continues. After going for three runs on the first three balls, he bowls a peach. Swings it in from outside off and the ball whizzes past Thirimanne's inside edge.
After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 106/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 25)
Ashwin continues. Mathews eases the first ball to long for a run. Two loopy deliveries followed by a quicker one which is swatted away to the midwicket fence. Five runs off the over.
FOUR! Nothing going India's way at the moment as Thirimanne sweeps one over midwicket.
After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 101/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 44 , Angelo Mathews 24)
Runs flowing for Sri Lanka and this partnership is blossoming. Courtesy the eight runs (two boundaries) in the over, the 100-run mark has come up for the Lankans. The trail is only 71 now.
FOUR! Leg stump line. Thanks, says Lahiru, and tickles it fine.
FOUR! Goes full and Thirimanne stands tall to flick it through midwicket.
After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 93/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 36 , Angelo Mathews 24)
Time for spin. Ashwin to bowl for India after a long time. Slip and leg gully deployed for him. Sticks to the same length and line in this first three balls; the third of which goes a run. After that, Pujara puts on the shin pads and Kohli keeps a forward short leg. Single also comes on the last ball. Two runs off the over.
After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 91/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 35 , Angelo Mathews 23)
Bhuvi is back after some rest. Three slips in. Two singles off the first two balls followed by four dots.
Ashwin just 8 wickets short of 300th Test victim. He would be fastest to mark.