Kuldeep, Pandya put Sri Lanka on mat

India had multiple players to thank for for their commanding position in the third Test. Mohammad Shami was lethal in his first spell (6-1-15-2) of Lanka’s first innings while Kuldeep Yadav, who added 62 runs for the eighth wicket with Pandya in the afternoon, claimed for 4/40.

Kusal Mendis (18) was then run out after a mix-up with captain Dinesh Chandimal (48) before former skipper Angelo Mathews fell leg before to Pandya without scoring.

Pandya then went onto completing his century off just 86 balls and put a tenth-wicket stand of 66 with Umesh Ydadav to guide India to 487 in the first innings.

It was a googly that accounted for Pandya’s exit, as he tried to scoop Sandakan for a big shot, only to get a leading edge to Dilruwan Perera at deep cover. That meant it was to Hardik Pandya to go on the offensive and he did just that. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav finished with 4-40 as the hosts were bundled out in 37.4 overs – their shortest-ever innings against India. Soon after Pandya reached his fifty, Shami (8) returned a simple catch to Sandakan in the 115th over. First two matches saw a potent lack of passion and intention in the amateur Sri Lankan side which was easily thumped by a dominating India.

At on-going India vs Sri Lanka 3rd test at Kandy, India after winning the toss opted to bat first.

WICKET! This is fine swing bowling from Mohammed Shami and excellent work behind the wickets from Wriddhiman Saha.

“The Sri Lanka bowlers bowled well and pulled the match a little bit on their side”, Dhawan, who celebrated his sixth Test century, said. Malinda Pushpakumara and Lakshan Sandakan spun some momentum in Sri Lanka’s way.

Kuldeep Yadav was pick of the bowlers with four wickets while Shami and Ashwin picked up two wicket a piece.

The prolific Rahul, who timed the ball superbly, etched his name in the record books with yet another half-century and Dhawan raced on to 64 as India reached lunch on 134 without loss. Stumped. Sri Lanka 5 down. It brought the No. 11 to the crease, and provoked a change of approach from Pandya. He smashed 26 runs in an over, which comprised of a hat trick of sixes.

He began the over with a flat, slog-swept four, and followed it with a charge down the pitch for a stinging flat-bat hit past the bowler’s left hand. This was the head-on confrontation that the morning had been building towards all along. Although he did manage to give Pandya a good partnership, it was short-lived as was taken out by Sandakan as well.