India in commmand at Tea Day 3 India vs Sri Lanka President XI, India tour of Sri Lanka 2015
India in command at Tea Day 3 vs Sri Lanka President XI, India tour of Sri Lanka 2015
The tour game seems to be heading towards a draw at Tea on the third and final day between India and Sri Lanka Board President XI which started on August 6, 2015. India lost wickets early in the piece and were eventually bowled out for score of 180 runs. They set them a target of 411 runs. Umesh Yadav had struck for India just before Lunch to have the hosts 14 for one but the pair of Lahiru Thirimanne and Kaushal Silva shared a 45-run stand to steady Sri Lanka Board President XI before Harbhajan Singh struck with one that bounced and turned. The hosts though did not lose any further wicket and are steady at a score of 120 for two at the end of 33 overs needing further 291 runs to win in a session.
For India, it was the pair of KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara who did the scoring to take them past the total of 100 after the experiment of opening with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma flopped big time. Saha failed at number three and India went for runs on Day Three and managed to get bowled out after taking the lead past 400. Live cricket updates: India vs Sri Lanka Board President XI, Day 3, Colombo
On Day Two, Ishant Sharma’s 5 for 23 had the Sri Lanka Board President bowled out for a score of mere 121. Ishant who took five wickets in space of 21 balls for just four runs to reduce the hosts to 10 for five at one point of time. Varun Aaron then took a couple of wickets to give India firm control. The pair of Danushka Gunathilaka and Nirsoshan Dickwella threatened to take the game away but the Indian spinners did the job to bowl them out for a score of 121; handing India a lead of 230 runs. Read:Ishant Sharma takes 5 wickets in 21 balls against Sri Lanka Board President XI
Earlier on the second day, India were bowled out for a score of 351. It was the stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul that gave India the platform of 108 runs. The middle order though collapsed but India found saviour in the form of Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane notched up a fine 109 to help India get past 300 with Pujara who chipped in with a fine score of 42. India though will rue not converting starts in the game. Read: India 314/6 at stumps, Rahane scores hundred, Kohli flops on Day 1 India vs Sri Lanka President XI, India tour of Sri Lanka 2015
Rahul missed out on his fifty and Rohit Sharma did not last long in the first innings. Virat Kohli came in and had a troubled time, he was bowled off a no ball as well. He was eventually caught trying to go after one outside off. India were in trouble at 133 for the loss of four wickets but then Rahane scored a brilliant 109. Dhawan earlier scored his 27th First-Class half-century. Rahane retired on his overnight score of 109 and wickets then fell in a flurry for India on the second day. Kasun Rajitha finished with 5 for 68 for the hosts. Read: Ajinkya Rahane credits positive mindset after scoring ton in India’s tour match vs Sri Lanka President’s XI
Brief scores:
India 351 (Shikhar Dhawan 62, Ajinkya Rahane 109, Cheteshwar Pujara 42; Kasun Rajitha 5 for 68) & 180 (KL Rahul 47, Cheteshwar Pujara 31; Kasun Rajitha 2 for 38) lead Sri Lanka Board President XI 121 (Niroshan Dickwella 41; Ishant Sharma 5 for 23) & 120 for 2 (Kaushal Silva 51*, Upul Tharanga 43*; Umesh Yadav 1 for 19) by 291 runs.