India vs Sri Lanka first Test : Hosts 5 down at lunch

This is usually a golden probability for Indian group to win a collection in Sri Lanka as the house group is in a rebuilding course of and are literally fighting the similar. India bundled Srilanka for 183.

Matthews enjoys superb batting record as captain in Tests – his aggregate being 1858 in 19 Tests at an average of 71.46, including four hundreds and 11 fifties. “But as the game goes on, it is going to get really slow”. It was the first time since 1997 that India has played three spinners away from home.

Starting their innings, the Indian team was in a spot of bother as the Lankan bowlers picked up 2 wickets in quick succession. “I think Sangakkara’s wicket in the first over helped”. Kohli was undefeated on 45, while Dhawan has 53. Hence, Indians would look not to bat again. Then getting two-wicket or three-wicket hauls, breaking partnerships, which is what I did with Angelo Mathews. Problems galore for Sri Lanka. India’s new Test No 3 disappeared soon enough as Mathews scalped his wicket. He also becomes only the second opener to score a ton at Galle for India in Tests.

Thereafter, Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne offered resistance, through a blend of flat batting and aggressive strokes. Both Dhawan and Kohli have not hurried into the big shots yet and are playing carefully.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli who is the Test Captain of India is hopeful for the return of Murali Vijay who is the consistent run getter for India in the previous year. From thereon it was about keeping yourself focussed and also about planning.

“Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is always a hard team to beat”.

On this occasion the southpaw only managed to have a thick outside edge of his bat as Rahane took a clean low catch at first slip.

Ishant Sharma provided his side with the first break through of the day in form of Dimuth Karunaratne, as the lanky, long-haired speedster bounced out the Lankan batsman.

“I consider myself lucky to have played alongside a champion performer like Kumar”, said While he was emotional about the farewell of his closest friend (they run a restaurant together in Colombo – Ministry of Crabs), Jaywardene did not forget to mention that India will have an “upperhand” in the upcoming series.

Sri Lanka will be hoping to be having a better day at the office than they did yesterday. Rangana Herath alone has accounted for 263 wickets.

His skipper Angelo Mathews, who will make his 50th appearance next time out, lies a single place and 14 rankings points further behind, with his opposite number Kohli in 10th position, eight points behind Australia’s Chris Rogers.