India 206-3 in second Sri Lanka Test at tea

You won’t be shocked to learn that the leading run-getter here is Kumar Sangakkara, with 11 Tests.

KL Rahul scored his second century for India on day one of the second Test before the hosts Sri Lanka fought back to restrict them to 319 for six in Colombo. The result wasn’t too dissimilar to the one at the MCG, Dinesh Chandimal settling around the skier even as Rahul’s shoulders dropped immediately after bat made contact with the ball.

Sri Lanka’s injured seamer Nuwan Pradeep was replace by fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera who has recovered from injury.

“I felt I should have done a lot better and I am feeling a little disappointed”, said Rahul. Never more so than when he delivered the 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s, in which he spoke captivatingly about the role cricket has had in uniting a country torn apart by a 26-year civil war, and how the influx of money into the game there following Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup victory played havoc with its administration. “When the series is over, we will sit down and figure out how important is it or how much we want to use it”. This is the biggest learning for us.

Australia made two changes for captain Michael Clarke’s last Test match, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh recalled and Peter Siddle called up. So I came here with a very clear mind with a very positive attitude and get runs.

Tottering at 12/2, it was Rahul and skipper Kohli who took on the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. “They batted positively after that chance”.

Rahul fell after top edging a Chameera bouncer, but Rohit scored freely to take India past 300. “It was not entirely his his fault”, commentators say, when a batsman is at the receiving end of an unplayable delivery. “It is good to have partners like them”, he added.

“We got Stuart here because his bowling gives us the balance and at number six his batting can be handy” he said of Binny, reports Reuters. “You have got to play cricket that suits your team, that suits the pitch that you are playing on and the opposition that you are playing against”. I tried to bowl in good areas.

“Today’s practice session is important, we would know if he is 100 percent fit to play”, Kohli said on Wednesday. “So it’s something that I have to work on and discipline myself”, he opined. And I felt I should have been there and could have got more runs for my team. “That’s what I have to work on”. Vijay didn’t have time to adjust, for it was not an inswinger to which he would have shown a dead bat.

He has long secured his place among the pantheon of the all-time great left-hand batsmen who have graced the game.

“The best thing we can do is try and win the series for him”. He kept the scoreboard ticking and didn’t let the Sri Lankan bowlers dominate proceedings. They need to change their attitude, take a step back from the chest-thumping. “So, I enjoy being there and being a part of the team”, he signed off.

India will have to end a run of nine Test matches without a victory if they are to prevent Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakarra bidding farewell to the global stage by helping his country to a series win.