Rahul celebrates after scoring his second Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka brought themselves back into contention with a few quick wickets at the end of the first day of the second Test in Colombo after India opener Lokesh Rahul scored 108.

Rahul was well supported by batsman Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli, who made 79 and 78 respectively.

Kohli would have been regretting his decision to bat first early on as opening batsman Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane were both dismissed cheaply.

However, Kohli and Rahul stabilised the innings with a 164-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Kohli was brilliantly caught by Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews at slip off the bowling of Rangana Herath.

Kohli’s fantastic knock of 78 came off 107 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.

Kohli’s good form with the bat continued

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Rahul and Sharma kept the runs flowing with a 55-run stand, during which Rahul registered his second Test century, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera.

Rahul’s magnificent innings of 108 came off 190 deliveries and included 13 boundaries and a six.

India lost all-rounder Stuart Binny soon after before Sharma and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha amassed a 52-run partnership, during which Sharma surpassed his half-century, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Mathews on the last ball of the day.

Sharma’s brilliant knock of 79 came off 132 balls and included five boundaries and three sixes.

Sharma hit five boundaries and three sixes during his knock of 79

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Herath and Dhammika Prasad picked up two wickets apiece, while Mathews and Chameera claimed one wicket each.

India ended day one on 319/6 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.