Cheteshwar Pujara crosses 4000 runs in landmark 50th Test

Chandimal’s comments came after Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Asela Gunaratne was injured in the opening session of the first Test against India.

Ajinkya Rahane and Ashwin made up for the early loss of Pujara with a 63-run partnership before Rahane was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off the bowling of debutant Malinda Pushpakumara for 132 off 222 deliveries, which included 14 boundaries.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis hit fighting half-centuries to keep Sri Lanka afloat during their follow-on against India on day three of the second Test in Colombo on Saturday.

Pujara has been India’s most consistent batsman alongside captain Virat Kohli since the team’s tour of the West Indies, scoring 1316 runs from 13 matches in the 2016-17 home season.

Resuming the day at 50/2, Sri Lanka lost wickets in quick succession.

Gunaratne was player of the match in Sri Lanka’s last Test, leading them to a tense final-day victory against Zimbabwe.

The Lankan bowlers meanwhile could manage to just restrict the runs with none of them making any impression on the Indian batting line-up.

Jadeja too helped himself to an unbeaten 70 as India declared at 622 for 9. “That’s something that has really worked for me”, Rahul told the reporters following the first day’s play.

Rahane was out stumped by Niroshan Dickwella for spinner Malinda Pushpakumara’s maiden global wicket. Together, they hit seven fours and three sixes against Jadeja and Ashwin, who had been introduced into the attack.

Ashwin was the only bowler to take any wickets.

In the second over of the post lunch session, Ashwin reached his half century with a six and also brought 2000 Test runs but he was castled in the very next delivery from Rangana Herath (4-154). Before the start of the Colombo Test, the 29-year old has scored 3966 runs in 49 Tests that includes 12 centuries and 15 fifties. Both batsmen survived DRS reviews for lbw, and took India past the 500-mark in the 134th over.

Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja all passed 50 as Sri Lanka – missing hamstring injury victim Nuwan Pradeep – were made to suffer in the field at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Ashwin broke through in the second over of the innings when he had Upul Tharanga caught by Lokesh Rahul with the team yet to score.