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| Ashwin double blow sealed Day2 in India's favour. Image:ABPnews |
What Sri Lanka feared at the end of day1, turned into reality at the end of Day2.
Contributions -from lower order ensured India crossed 600 once again- sixth time in last 20 months precisely, far ahead of any other test nation. Sri Lanka's troubles continued with the bat as they lost 2 wickets before stumps in the pursuit of the gigantic total, both openers perishing to Ashwin.
Early in the morning, India lost Pujara after he could add only 5 to his overnight score of 128. Karunaratne, who had bowled 2 overs in his test career before this test, took his maiden wicket when DRS reviews found Pujara out LBW.
Ashwin joined Rahane, and added valuable runs before Rahane charged Pushpakumara and missed the line completely, to hand him his debut wicket. Pushpakumara pumped his fist elated in joy on sending Rahane back for 132. Ashwin reached his fifty with a powerful strike down the ground, but got cleaned up when he tried to make room for a cut that didn't exist.
Sri Lanka might have sensed an opportunity to wrap up things quickly but Saha had other plans. He hung in there, supported by Pandya who played a run-a-ball cameo. Pandya's dismissal united Saha and Jadeja to crease, and Jadeja took over the role of aggressor after he got his eye in. Fifties from Ashwin, Saha and Jadeja propelled India to 622/9, before Kohli declared with SL left 20 overs to negotiate till stumps.
But Tharanga's stay lasted briefly, with an attempted pull that unfortunately got stuck with Rahul at short leg, who displayed good presence of mind to not drop it. A dismissal that brought out the 'Dab' from Rahul and Kohli, made sure Sri Lanka didn't win any of the day's session. After Pujara's special day yesterday, Ashwin made a milestone of his own- the fastest to 250 wickets and 2000 runs in tests, taking only 51 to get there, only signalling the impact he has had in Indian test success- both with bat and ball.
Karunaratne and Mendis were starting to weave a partnership when Ashwin struck again, with the ball that Karunaratne played with half conviction of the foot movement, and gave a simple catch to Rahane, by Rahane's slip catching standards. Sri Lanka went into stumps with 50/2 with 572 runs behind the big task ahead of them.
Karunaratne and Mendis were starting to weave a partnership when Ashwin struck again, with the ball that Karunaratne played with half conviction of the foot movement, and gave a simple catch to Rahane, by Rahane's slip catching standards. Sri Lanka went into stumps with 50/2 with 572 runs behind the big task ahead of them.
They are 0-1 down in the series. And the way these two days have shaped, a 0-2 series loss looks inevitable for the island nation, unless they find a hero in their men.
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