India took control of Test 1 against Sri Lanka after Ravindra Jadeja’s record-breaking 175 not-out helped the hosts post a mammoth total of 574/8 before captain Rohit Sharma demanded an explanation. In response, Sri Lanka were reduced to 108/4 in 43 overs at stumps while India dominated Saturday’s proceedings at Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium.
R Ashwin took 2 wickets while Ravindra Jadeja took the big scalp from Sri Lanka’s capstan Dimuth Karunaratne and Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket from senior batter Angelo Matthews as India put Sri Lanka in trouble. Looking solid in the middle, young Pathum Nissanka (26*) has the key if Sri Lanka are to prevent a connection.
Both teams started the day with black armbands and observed a minute’s silence to pay tribute to legendary cricketer Shane Warne, who died at a villa in Thailand on Friday aged 52.
India vs Sri Lanka, Test 1 Day 2: Highlights
India will be hoping their first innings was the only time they had to bat in the Test series opener, as the lower midfield order ensured India surpassed 400 for the first time in the 23rd Test. Ravindra Jadeja, in a fitting tribute to one of his earliest mentors Warne, batted 175 not out, his best result of his Test cricket career.
Jadeja also broke Kapil Dev’s record for the highest score while batting in 7th place. However, he was unable to complete his first double hundred as explained by Rohit, forcing an early tee on Day 2 of the 1st Test at Mohali.
Building on their overnight score of 357/6, India got off to a steady start on Saturday with Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin keeping the scoreboard moving. While Ashwin never missed an opportunity to scoop bad balls, Jadeja took his time and ensured India crushed the Sri Lankan bowling attack that went ahead without the injured Lahiru Kumara.
Jadeja and Ashwin added 130 runs for the 7th wicket partnership as India completely dominated the opening session on Day 2. Ashwin hit 61 balls from just 82 before being dismissed by Suranga Lakmal, who was the only Sri Lankan bowler to always look menacing as he progressed to bowl.
JADEJA WILL NOT RELEASE CAREER-BEST 175
Jadeja went on and reached his 2nd Test hundred but he lost another partner in Jayant Yadav who was undone by Vishwa Fernando for just 2.
Sri Lankan received a boost with two quick wickets and seemed poised to throw India within 500, but Jadeja batted brilliantly with lower-order batter Mohammed Shami. Jadeja managed the strike and changed gears as he brought the attack on Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya, who bowled 46 overs and wasted 188 runs for 2 wickets.
Jadeja and Shami sewed a 103 run stance for the 9th wicket, the former being the dominant partner in their partnership that came in short order. Jadeja hit 175 and looked like a double before the declaration call came.
Jadeja received a big round of applause from the Mohali crowd and the dressing room as he walked back to the pavilion and brandished his trademark sword celebration badge. Jadeja, one of the most improved batsmen in international cricket, showed once again why he will be an integral part of the batting unit in the current cycle of the World Test Championship.
SRI LANKA LOSES BIG RIFLES IN LAST SESSION
India will take to the pitch with their tails in the air on Sunday as they knocked out three veteran batsmen in Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Matthews. The pitch, which didn’t provide much support for Ashwin and Jayant Yadav in their first few spells, was spiced up a bit towards the end of the day when Jadeja squared the ball a few times.
Sri Lanka sewed a steady streak of 48 runs, keeping the two new-ball bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami away, but R Ashwin batted in the 19th over, causing Thirimanne to catch LBW with a straight.
Everything Jadeja touched turned to gold as he took the big wicket from Sri Lanka’s captain Karunaratne in the second-ever delivery of his new spell. Jadeja didn’t get into attack immediately, even when Rohit spun early in the innings as R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav acted in tandem, replacing the pacers.
Towards the end of the day, Sri Lanka suffered a huge shock when they lost the experienced Angelo Matthews at 22 and LBW were trapped by Bumrah. The India Pacer, who played a fiery final spell, was unlucky bowling Pathum Nissanka but in a no-ball.
