It is the first session of Day 2. The pitch is expected to help the bowling side. Having that in mind, India took full advantage of scorable pitch conditions on day 1.
Ashwin and Jadeja started where they left yesterday. A composed and defined innings to help India cross 400 runs in the first session of the second day. Their 50 runs partnership got converted into 100 runs partnership very subtly.
Now, India is in a position to pass the mark of 500 runs. Ashwin, too, scored his 12th fifty of his career with a push for a single through mid-off. Sri Lanka is in big trouble. As it appears, they have already given up and have moved to a completely defensive zone. They are relying on Indian batsmen making a mistake to fill their wicket column.
Sri Lankan bowlers missed their trick in the first session. The experienced Suranga Lakmal bagged the wicket of Ashwin who while trying to pull nicked the ball to the wicketkeeper. The star of the first inning was Ravindra Jadeja who scored the second century of his career and first against Sri Lanka in Test cricket.
India batted dominantly and due to crucial long standing partnerships, they reached a mammoth total. Exhausted Sri Lankan bowlers will have to bowl a few more overs before India declares the inning.
Again, the first inning completely went India’s way. Lack of determination has already put Sri Lanka far behind in this game. They have to bat exceptionally well to find their rhythm back.
The key events of the first session were a century, a half century and a wicket. India is expected to declare in the first half an hour of the second session which will be an interesting watch.
India is 468 for 7. Jadeja playing at 102 and Jayant batting at 2. The 130 partnership between Jadeja and Ashwin made a big difference.