Rohit Sharma could not have asked for a better start to his Test captaincy stint, thanks to the all-round heroism from “rockstar” Ravindra Jadeja as India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs within 3 days in the first match of the 2nd Test. Match Series on Sunday in Mohali.
India picked up 16 wickets on the third day as Sri Lanka were bundled out twice in 4 seasons and took a 1–0 lead in the 2-match series.
With the win, India also ended a 2-match losing streak in Tests as they bounced back from a loss against South Africa earlier this year, albeit in a Test match at home against the Sri Lankan side. There was a lack of intention during ,
The difference in class between the two sides was no match for the well-oiled Indian team as the visiting team, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, paid a fitting tribute to former captain Virat Kohli, who completed his 100th Test in Mohali. .
India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 3: Highlights
175*, 9-Wicket Match Hall: Rockstar Jadeja reigns supreme
Ravindra Jadeja, who paid tribute to one of their early mentors – the late Shane Warne, single handedly dominated the Sri Lankans with both bat and ball as he became only the 6th cricketer to score over 150 and take 5. Taking wickets in test matches. He created history by becoming only the third Indian and the first in 60 years Polly Umrigar in 1962.
Jadeja took 5 wickets in the first innings to finish with figures of 4/46 in the second innings as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 174 and 178 on Sunday.
Jadeja’s unbeaten 175 helped India post a mammoth total of 574/8 declared in their first innings total, when Rohit won the toss and opted to bat. He returned to hurt Sri Lanka with the ball, after taking 5 wickets, conceding only 41 runs as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 174 in the first innings.
Jadeja, who dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne on the first day of the series, ran through Sri Lanka’s lower middle order in the first session on Sunday. Jadeja dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for 2 and then in the same over, Suranga Lakmal was dismissed for 0. He then took the wickets of Visva Fernando and Lahiru Kumara in successive deliveries as India bowled out Sri Lanka for 174 in the first innings. Big lead of 400 runs.
Captain Rohit had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on as India bowled only 65 overs in their first innings.
R Ashwin surpasses Kapil Dev as Sri Lanka follow-on
It was time for R Ashwin to create magic in the second innings as the off-spinner dismissed opener Dimuth Karunaratne early after Sri Lanka were asked to bat again. He then took the big wicket of Pathum Nisanka, who hit an unbeaten 61 in the first innings to equalize 434 wickets in Kapil Dev’s list of all-time Test wicket-takers.
Ashwin had to wait a little longer to get the milestone wicket, but he found Charit Aslanka right after tea to leave Kapil behind in the elite list. With 435 wickets and counting, Ashwin is now the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests as he is behind only Anil Kumble, who ended his career with 619 wickets. Ashwin is now ninth in the all-time list.
Jadeja and Ashwin dealt a blow to Sri Lanka, ending stiff resistance from Angelo Mathews and Aslanka. Jadeja took the big wicket of Mathews to put the final nail in the visitors’ coffin after which he removed Suranga Lakmal for a pair.
Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah didn’t have to put in much effort as they bowled only 35 overs between them in the first Test. 5th bowler Jayant Yadav also could not make much inroads.
It was disappointing to see a timid batting effort from Sri Lanka, who were expected to do better against spin after India’s good run, scoring a 500-plus total on a fine batting pitch in Mohali. Pathum Nisanka was the only batsman for Sri Lanka to score a half-century in a disappointing performance in the first Test.
Lots of positivity for new captain Rohit
Earlier in the Test, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant missed out on scoring a century by just 4 runs after Kohli was dismissed for 45. India were in trouble but a 130-run partnership for the 7th wicket between Jadeja and Ashwin took the match. away from sri lanka
Jadeja batted brilliantly with tail-ender Mohammed Shami as the duo put on 103 runs for the 9th wicket before India declared their innings with Jadeja at 175, their highest Test score.
India have a lot of positive things to do with their big win in the first Test as Hanuma Vihari also scored a half-century in the first innings while batting at No. 3 for the first time. Captain Rohit didn’t have much on his plate but he looked confident to lead India in whites for the first time.
The second Test, Day-Night Affair, will be played in Bengaluru from March 12.