Sri Lanka fight back to unbeaten record of 460/9 in the rain-streaked Galle Test.Sri Lanka bounced back to an unbeaten record of 460/9 in the downpour at Galle.
Despite Sri Lanka’s late effort to recoup in the second Test in Galle on the first day, India were in a strong position. The visitors made a massive 172/7 improvement in the night to 460/9 before the rain and dark ended the game early.
Devdutt Padikkal went on an excellent day to continue his run, and eventually moved to 167, while Dhruv Jurel hit a good 51 for the second wicket. Sri Lanka’s debutant spinner Keshara Nuwantha, however, prevailed in the match keeping the hosts in the game with three crucial wickets.
The start was delayed by nearly five hours, as just 45 overs could be played in the daytime.
PADIKKAL AND JUREL keep India AHEAD!
India started off well with a score of 288/2. Rishabh Pant found the run after scoring a couple of runs before Nuwantha got him off when the batter tried to attack the spinner.
KL Rahul, who had retired in the first day due to cramps, got back to the crease and managed to score five more runs before getting bowled off by Nuwantha.
But Prabath Jayasuriya put an end to the composure of Padikkal as he was stumped out and ended his day with 167.
Then it was Ravindra’s turn and he became Nuwantha’s third out, leaving India looking for 377/6 and with a new lease on life.
Jurel gave India what it was asking for. The batter-keeper held on after being stumped on 29 before crossing his half-century. He and Manav Suthar added 55 runs to take India beyond 400.
The under-par batsman Dhananjaya de Silva eventually redeemed himself for the missed opportunity by sipping at the ball at slip to dismiss Jurel for 51.
The lower order in India then contributed some useful runs with the help of Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav getting the visitors the final 460/9 before the end.
