Sri Lanka snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

Galle: Rangana Herath and Dinesh Chandimal scripted one of the most remarkable comebacks for Sri Lanka in test cricket with the seasoned pro left armer bagging 7 Indian wickets to hand the hosts a victory in the first test. Sri Lanka looked all but out of the test match till the second session of the third day when at that point it looked India was going to win the match by an innings and some runs, but as they say cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and Dinesh Chandimal seemed to be inspired by that quote as he produced a remarkable counter attack to stun the visitors with a belligerent 162. He formed vital partnerships with the Sri Lankan lower order to first take the hosts past the safety mark and then build a substantial lead.

India, set a victory target of 176 runs, folded up for 112 in their second innings after lunch on the fourth day with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath finishing with seven wickets.  Veteran Rangana Herath, who went wicketless in the first innings, and the tyro Tharindu Kaushal came together to rip the Indian top-order apart, they were ably supported by the Lankan close in catching fielders. Some exceptional catching around the bat yielded six Indian wickets in the first session as the pendulum of momentum swung viciously in favour of the hosts. All the hype about playing agressive cricket, India were easily the more passive side on Day 4 as opener Shikahar Dhawan took 35 deliveries to get off the mark that too off an out side edge. Rohit Sharma continued with this poor performances in the test whites, while captain Kohli too couldn’t cause much trouble for the Lankan bowlers. Only Ajinkya Rahane looked like staying in the middle for team India, but he was fighting a lone battle as India were bunndled out for 112.