The day began with a brief celebration of Virat Kohli’s 100th match between India and Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series in Mohali and Rishabh Pant set off some fireworks.
See here the key points of discussion from the first day of the first Test
Kohli 100th
One of the finest batsmen not only of the current era but generation after generation, Kohli on Friday became only the 12th Indian to play 100 or more Tests. The 33-year-old was presented with a special baggy blue cap by the legendary Rahul Dravid to mark the special occasion. The former India captain was accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma at the ground and his brother was also present at the venue. Kohli thanked his teammates and the BCCI for their role in his journey.
His path was different from his career to the generations to come – in an era where cricket has now become a three-format game, Kohli has played 100 Tests. It should definitely serve as an inspiration.
kohli outfox
Expectations are always high these days whenever Kohli goes out to bat and especially since he has relieved himself of the burden of captaincy. It is now more than two years since he last scored a century in any format. So, when he started timing the ball and dominated the Sri Lankan attack in Mohali, it looked like the drought was nearing its end. Wish it didn’t have to be.
Lasith Embuldeniya outfoxed Kohli along the trajectory after setting him up well and bowled him for 45. It was a brilliant delivery that pushed Kohli to the backfoot as it turned after pitching to crash at the stumps. The wait for the 71st ton is on.
vihari at home
While all eyes were on Kohli, Hanuma Vihari quietly stepped into the big shoes of Cheteshwar Pujara after being promoted to No. 3 places. With Vihari’s scintillating half-century, the commentators couldn’t stop raving about his calmness and composure. With Pujara’s exit, the Indian team management has given the middle-order batsman a chance to prove himself in a crucial batting position in any format.
Vihari scored 58 off 128 before a loose shot ended his scintillating innings. He has passed the audition and Bharat is hopeful that he will continue to go ahead with it.
pant tees off
Rishabh Pant entertainment on the field is guaranteed. If he isn’t chirping non-stop while keeping the stumps, Pant is busy stunning everyone with his shameless strokeplay, which either completely entertains you or is incredibly frustrating. Friday was fun.
After displaying immense grit (by his own standards) to reach 50 off 75, Pant had enough. In the blink of an eye, he scored 82 off 84 and launched the ball into all parts of the field. And when he was just four runs away from three points, an accidental block proved to be his downfall but he did his job and put India on top.
troubled srilankan
Sri Lanka made a curious selection call by including just one specialist spinner in their playing XI and going with three pacers. In contrast, India has two fast bowlers in the eleven with three spinners. He regretted the call when Lasith Embuldeniya troubled India’s batsmen, but he had no spinning partner to support from the other end. At the end of the day, the tourists lost the services of Lahiru Kumara, who walked off the field due to a hamstring defect and did not return, meaning captain Dimuth Karunaratne fell short of a specialist bowler as India piled on 357. Gone.
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