India leave Sri Lanka reeling at 154-5 in first Test
27 Jul 2017
India’s bowlers tore through the Sri Lankan top order to put the visitors firmly on top on the second day of the first Test in Galle on Thursday.
Paceman Mohammed Shami picked two wickets in the same over and Umesh Yadav got rid of opener Dimuth Karunaratne after India posted a commanding 600 all out in their first innings.
Former captain Angelo Mathews was batting on 54 with Dilruwan Perera on six when stumps were drawn for the day, with Sri Lanka still trailing by 446 runs with five wickets in hand.
Opener Upul Tharanga struck a defiant 64 off 93 balls but was run out thanks to quick fielding by Abhinav Mukund.
Mukund also took a fine diving catch to send back Niroshan Dickwella (eight) and reduce the hosts to a shaky 143-5.
Yadav gave his side an early breakthrough after the Indian lower-order batsmen scored at a quick pace despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
Yadav had Karunaratne trapped leg before and although the batsman went for a review, the decision was upheld after replays showed the ball pitching on the middle stump.
Shami then dismissed debutant Danushka Gunathilaka for 16 and Ajantha Mendis for a duck in the space of four balls.
Mathews, who quit as captain after Sri Lanka’s recent one-day series defeat to Zimbabwe at home, tried to steady the innings and had faced 91 deliveries so far.(Agencies)
