Ravichandran Ashwin finished with figures of 4-67 off 28.1 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin carved through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up with a four-wicket haul to put his side on top on the opening day of the second Test in Nagpur.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow as opener Sadeera Samarawickrama was caught by Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip off the bowling of Ishant Sharma, who is playing in his first Test match since March, for 13.
Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews fared no better as they were dismissed by Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for nine and 10 runs respectively.
Dimuth Karunaratne and captain Dinesh Chandimal stabilised the innings with a 62-run partnership, during which Karunaratne brought up his fifty.
Dimuth Karunaratne scored his 14th Test fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Karunaratne was unable to make the most of it though as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Ishant for 51 off 147 balls, which included six boundaries. The 29-year-old reviewed the decision, but it went in vain as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and hitting the top of off stump.
Following Karunaratne’s dismissal, Ashwin and Jadeja began to tear through Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order.
With Chandimal being the only other batsman to put up a fight with his 122-ball 57, which included four boundaries and a six, Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 205.
Dinesh Chandinal struck his 14th half-century in Test cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Jadeja and Ishant chipped in with three wickets apiece.
Trailing by 205 runs, India were dealt an early blow as opening batsman Lokesh Rahul was clean bowled by Lahiru Gamage for seven runs.
Murali Vijay and Pujara ensured India didn’t lose another wicket as they put together an unbeaten four-run partnership before stumps was called.
Both Vijay and Pujara remain unbeaten on two.
Gamage was the only bowler to take a wicket.
India ended day one on 11/1 and will continue batting on Saturday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.