Angelo Mathews struck his 28th half-century in Test cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne scored 52 and 51 respectively to ensure Sri Lanka remained in control on the third day of the first Test against India in Kolkata.
Starting off the day on 74/5, India added five runs to their overnight score before Cheteshwar Pujara was clean bowled by Lahiru Gamage for 52, which came off 117 balls and included 10 boundaries.
Ravindra Jadeja and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha made up for the early loss of Pujara with a 48-run partnership before Jadeja was trapped lbw off the bowling of Dilruwan Perera for 22.
Jadeja was not given out initially, but after Sri Lanka opted for a review, the decision was overturned as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to crash into the stumps.
Saha was on his way back to the pavilion three balls later as he was caught by Mathews at first slip for 22.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar made 13 runs before India were bowled out for 172 when Mohammad Shami was dismissed by Gamage for a 22-ball 24.
Suranga Lakmal was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Gamage, Dilruwan and Dasun Shanaka chipped in with four wickets apiece.
Trailing by 172 runs, Sri Lanka made a brisk start to their innings before opener Dimuth Karunaratne was given out lbw off the bowling of Kumar for eight runs. Karunaratne opted to go for a review, but it failed to change the outcome.
Sadeera Samarawickrama was looking in good form, but his time at the crease came to an end when he was caught behind off the bowling of Kumar for a 22-ball 23.
Mathews and Thirimanne stabilised the innings as they amassed a 99-run partnership, during which Thirimanne brought up his fifty.
Lahiru Thirimanne scored his fifth Test fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
However, he was unable to make the most of it as he was brilliantly caught by India captain Virat Kohli at second slip off the bowling of Umesh Yadav for 51, which came off 94 balls and included eight boundaries.
Like Thirimanne, Mathews also registered his fifty before falling shortly after as he spooned a catch straight to Lokesh Rahul at short cover off the bowling of Yadav.
Mathews’ knock of 52 came off 94 deliveries and included eight boundaries.
Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella began the rebuilding process and had put together an unbeaten 27-run partnership before bad light brought play to an end for the day.
Chandimal finished on 13, while Dickwella remained undefeated on 14 off 16 balls, which included two boundaries.
Kumar and Yadav claimed two wickets each.
Sri Lanka ended day three on 165/4 and will continue batting on Sunday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.