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Colombo Test: India walk the talk at SSC

Updated on: 05 August,2017 07:48 AM IST  |  Colombo
Anand Vasu | sports@mid-day.com

After declaring at 622-9, Ashwin picks up two Sri Lankan wickets late in the day to put India in driver's seat

Colombo Test: India walk the talk at SSC

India
India's R Ashwin celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga on Day Two of the second Test in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI


For four and a half hours, Sri Lanka's spinners did all they could to make inroads into an Indian batting line-up that is high on confidence, skill and application. The only relief for the bowling unit, which was without the services of their lone quick bowler, Nuwan Pradeep, was that neither Cheteshwar Pujara (133) nor Ajinkya Rahane (132) were able to cash in and go big.


But this Lankan joy was overshadowed by the fact that the lower order did not spurn the opportunity to bolster their batting numbers. R Ashwin helped himself to 54, completing the rare double of 2000 Test runs and 200 wickets, Wriddhiman Saha cheerfully worked around for 67 and Ravindra Jadeja gave himself the chance to bring out the sword twirling celebration with an unbeaten 70.


Batting won't be easy
With 622 on the board, Virat Kohli invited Sri Lanka to face 69 minutes of largely high quality spin and the manner in which the dust puffed off the surface was clear indication that batting is going to be anything but easy going forward.

Ravindra Jadeja clobbers one to the fence during his unbeaten 70 on Day Two of the second Test vs Sri Lanka yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI
Ravindra Jadeja clobbers one to the fence during his unbeaten 70 on Day Two of the second Test vs Sri Lanka yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI

Beating the bat repeatedly, Ashwin was unlucky not to end up with more than two wickets, but he will admit that his first scalp, Upul Tharanga, came through a stroke of good fortune. A firmly hit flick struck KL Rahul, fielding close, in the midriff and the fielder managed to snatch the ball off his body.

Accurate Ashwin
No luck was involved in Ashwin's second dismissal, Dimuth Karunaratne having played and missed so often that the oohs and the aahs from the close-in fielders came thick and fast, an accurate off break drew the edge, the ball landing safely in the hands of the slip fielder. As the day drew to a close, Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal brought out the sweep shot against the spinners, and connected cleanly enough four times to end the day on 50 for two.

Sweep, a high-risk shot
But, India will be more than happy with Sri Lanka's approach. "It's high risk, playing the sweep on this pitch because bounce is quite variable," said Rahane. "Some balls are bouncing, few are keeping low. The key from here on will be to bowl in the right areas for long periods of time."

Rahane certainly did not favour the stroke in the course of his innings, his first century in nearly 10 months. For him the knock was a very satisfying one as he was able to not only occupy the crease but also take the attack to the opposition when required, ensuring that the bowlers could not get on top of the batsmen for any length of time. "It was one of my best innings against spin. I wanted to dominate in Melbourne (2014-15), and managed to do that, but this was a slightly different pitch," said Rahane.

"We are the No. 1 team in the world and we wanted to bat like that, to dominate so that we don't get under pressure even at 133 for three. This is something we have spoken about in the dressing-room." At the Sinhalese Sports Club, India walked the talk. Trailing by 572 runs with three days of play left, Sri Lanka need a miracle to win this Test and keep the series alive.

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