Shikhar Dhawan fell six runs short of his seventh Test century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul scored 94 and 73 not out respectively as India turned the tables on Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test in Kolkata.
Starting off the day on 165/4, Sri Lanka added 35 runs to their score before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was caught by India captain Virat Kohli at second slip off the bowling of Mohammed Shami for 35.
Dasun Shanaka did not trouble the scorers, while Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal was caught behind off the bowling of Shami for 28.
Dilruwan Perera only made five runs, but Rangana Herath and Suranga Lakmal steadied the innings via a 46-run partnership, during which Herath brought up his fifty.
Rangana Herath scored his third Test fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
However, Herath’s time at the crease came to an end when he was caught by Shami at deep backward point off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 67, which came off 105 balls and included nine boundaries.
Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 294, which gave them a 122-run lead, when Lakmal was clean bowled by Shami for 16.
Shami and Kumar picked up four wickets apiece, while Umesh Yadav chipped in with two.
Trailing by 122 runs, Dhawan and Rahul not only got India off to a spectacular start, but also put them in the lead through their 166-run partnership, during which both batsmen surpassed their fifties.
With both batsmen settled at the crease and Dhawan quickly approaching his hundred, disaster struck for the hosts in the penultimate over of the day as Dhawan was caught behind off the bowling of Shanaka for 94, which came off 116 balls and included 11 boundaries and two sixes.
Dhawan reviewed the decision after being given out, but with ultra edge showing a spike, the umpire’s decision was upheld.
Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara put together an unbeaten five-run partnership in the 2.2 overs that were played after Dhawan’s dismissal before bad light brought proceedings to an end for the day.
Lokesh Rahul struck eight boundaries during his unbeaten 73
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Rahul finished on 73 off 113 balls, which included eight boundaries, while Pujara remained undefeated on two.
Shanaka was the only bowler to take a wicket.
India ended day four on 171/1 and will continue batting on Monday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.