India clinches victory by an innings and 222 runs on the 3rd day of the first test against Sri Lanka in Mohali, following Jadeja and Pant’s fireworks to propel India to 574.
Floodgates Open Following Asalanka’s Wicket
Carrying on 108/4, Sri Lankan batters Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka demonstrated discipline in the first hour of play on the 3rd day. India lost a chance to dismiss Nissanka early in the day due to Iyer dropping an easy catch in the deep. A whisker also saved Asalanka a couple of times against Ashwin, who surpassed Kapil Dev to become 2nd highest wicket-taker for India in test cricket, behind only the great Anil Kumble in the coveted list.
Captain Rohit Sharma brought in his gun bowler Jasprit Bumrah in search of a breakthrough in the first session. Boom Boom Bumrah honoured the trust of his skipper and trapped Asalanka for leg before providing India with the much-needed wicket.
At five down, Sri Lanka lost the will to fight against the non-relenting Indian bowling line-up. None of the batters after Asalanka managed scored in two digits. Jadeja accomplished a unique distinction of being the only cricketer in the last 41 years to score above 150 and pick a fifer in a match when he dismissed Lahiru Kumara at the end of the inning.
Sri Lanka can only fathom 174 runs in their first innings. Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, decided to continue the momentum and imposed follow on to let the visitors bat again. Batting for the second time, Sri Lanka lost one of its openers in Thrimanne to finish for 10/1 at the break of lunch.
India Stamps their Authority
Following lunch, India stamped their authority on the Sri Lankan batters and quickly bundled them out for an easy win. Nissanka, the only batter to last until the end of the first innings of Sri Lanka, was the first one to depart after lunch.
Apart from Mathews and Aslanka’a short-lived fireworks, no one from the Sri Lankan team could counter-attack the Indian bowling line-up. Jaddu and Ashwin picked four wickets each, and Sri Lanka managed a paltry 178 in the 2nd innings.
Ravindra Jadeja was declared man of the match for his unprecedented contribution in the first test. Here’s how BCCI’s official handle on Twitter celebrated the Indian win.
