News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 9 years ago
Home  » Cricket » Galle Test: Chandimal's resilient ton makes India bat a second time

Galle Test: Chandimal's resilient ton makes India bat a second time

Source: PTI
Last updated on: August 14, 2015 18:26 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

India lose early wicket after being set tricky target of 176 runs.

India captain Virat Kohli (left) and Ajinkya Rahane (centre) celebrate the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath on Day 3 in the first Test, in Galle. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

India were set a tricky target of 176 runs to win the first Test against Sri Lanka after Dinesh Chandimal produced a counter-attacking unbeaten 162 to lead a spirited fightback for the hosts on Day 3, in Galle, on Friday.

- Scorecard

Tottering at a precarious 95 for five at one stage, after conceding a 192-run first innings lead, Chandimal staged a remarkable recovery as he notched up a career-best knock to help Sri Lanka amass 367 in the second innings. 

The Indians have themselves to blame for allowing the hosts to wriggle out of a tight position, even though there were some dubious umpiring decisions that went against them.

- Photos

India were 23 for one at stumps, requiring another 153 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The visitors lost opener Lokesh Rahul (5), who was trapped leg before by Rangana Herath.

Shikhar Dhawan (13) and Ishant Sharma (5) were at the crease at the end of the day's play.

Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal plays a shot during Day 3 in the first Test against India, in Galle. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Chandimal's effort not only helped the Lankans avoid an innings defeat but gave them a sizable lead to throw open the match on a track providing some turn for the slow bowlers. 

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman found able allies in Lahiru Thirimanne (44) and Jehan Mubarak (49) as they put on valuable partnerships to frustrate the Indians.

It was a commendable fightback from the Sri Lankans, who counter-attacked the Indian spinners and completely destroyed their rhythm.

At lunch time, it looked as if India would run away with an easy victory, with Sri Lanka reeling at 108 for five. However, Chandimal changed the complexion of the game as he clobbered the bowlers to register his fourth Test century. 

He hit 23 boundaries, including four sixes, during his fighting knock and raised a 125-run stand with Thirimanne for the sixth wicket.

With Mubarak he was involved in a 82-run partnership for the seventh.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took six for 46 in the first innings, was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming four for 114. In the process, he completed his third 10-wicket haul in a Test.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra took three for 61 while Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron and Harbhajan Singh accounted for a batsman each. 

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

New Zealand's tour of India 2024

New Zealand's Tour Of India, 2024