Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2: Play Called Off Due To Rain, Pujara Fights Lone Battle

Heavy rain yet again played spoilsport as Day 2 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka was called off early at the Eden Gardens. The first day saw India reeling at 17/3 at stumps. Day 2 was no better for the hosts as the Lankans remained on top. Barring Cheteshwar Pujara's gritty 47, Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin fell cheaply as India could only reach 74 for 5 when play had to be abandoned after just a couple of hours of match action. Dasun Shanaka took both the wickets of Rahane and Ashwin. The pitch also favoured the bowlers as the visitors focused on their line and length giving no chance to the Indian batsmen to score runs. Pujara is nearing a half-century and he will have to bat well if India are to stay in the game. (Scorecard)

Catch the highlights of India vs Sri Lanka, first Test, day 2, straight from Eden Gardens

02:50 IST: Thank you for joining our live coverage of Day 2. Do join us for Day 3 live coverage.

02:36: Play on Day 2 called off. The rains refused to stop leading the match officials to call off the day's play. India are 74/5 after 32.5 overs in their first innings of Day 2. 
Cheteshwar Pujara 47 (102), Wriddhiman Saha 6 (22) | Suranga Lakmal 3/5

That's all folks. No more play possible due to the rains here in Kolkata. #TeamIndia 74/5 at the end of Day 2 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/DvDaQQMyYt

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

02:12: The drizzle hasn't stopped yet for the covers to come off. It looks highly unlikely for any play to resume.

01:28: A lot of water deposited on the covers. The soppers doing their best to suck up the water for the play to resume.

12:58 IST: The covers are coming off and the super soppers are operating in full swing. However, mild drizzle has begun. The rains refuse to abate it seems.

12:04 IST: The ground is completely under covers now. No sight of green as of now.

Under wraps the Eden Gardens post lunch #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/fxS8MZuW5a

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

11:27 IST: Early lunch taken. It has started pouring heavily now. Hopefully these are passing showers.

It's an early lunch at the Eden Gardens with India on 74/5 (Pujara 47*, Saha 6*) https://t.co/ln05So6Mox #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/gskupV9D73

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

11:00 IST: Rain stops play. The covers are on as it has began to pour with the groundstaff rushing to the field of play. India are 74/5 after 32.5 overs in their first innings of Day 2. 
Cheteshwar Pujara 47 (102), Wriddhiman Saha 6 (22) | Suranga Lakmal 3/5
 

‘Make bowlers bowl to your strengths’
Pujara showing how it’s done. Courtesy his patience and the knowledge of where the off stump is. #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 17, 2017

UPDATE - Play has been interrupted due to rain #INDvSL

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

10:54 IST: FOUR! Wriddhiman Saha opens his account with a boundary. Short ball pushed onto the offside for a four. Two boundaries in the over. Expensive over from Karunaratne giving away 12 runs. India 73/5 after 32 overs.

10:46 IST: FOUR! Pujara drives a loose ball on the offside. Pujara is now at 39 off 94 balls, with 8 boundaries to his name. Dimuth Karunaratne, right-arm medium is brought into the attack. Saha is yet to open his account though. India 60/5 after 30 overs.

10:39 IST: TRIVIA! This is the 41st Test match played at the Eden Gardens.

10:25 IST: OUT! Ashwin departs. Batsman searching for the drive but fails to connect properly. Ashwin trying to hit the drive, gives it straight to the fielder Karunaratne. Departs for 4 runs. Shanaka takes his second wicket of the day. India in trouble now after losing half their side. India 50/5 after 26 overs.

Playing here after limited overs cricket is like a tough maths exam in an era where teachers are encouraged to set 90+ papers....

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 17, 2017

10: 24 IST: Fifty up for India. Had to work hard. This session has seen India score 33 runs for the loss of one wicket. 

10:21 IST: FOUR! Pujara drives it straight to the boundary. Bowler searching for that swinging delivery. A good-looking drive on the offside by Pujara. Shanaka looks rusty and gets equally punished. India 49/4 after 25.2 overs.

10:05 IST: Ashwin trying to build a partnership with Pujara after Rahane's departure. Sri Lanka's Lahiru Gamage is back into action.
However, it's drizzling now. The ground staff wait at the boundary ropes with the covers just in case it begins to pour. India 41/4 after 23 overs. 

09:52 IST: FOUR! Pujara drives it straight to the mid-off boundary. Shanaka gives an overpitched delivery, the batsman sends it to the ropes. India 38/4 after 19.2 overs.

Two players who played county cricket in England in 2017, now batting in English conditions at the Eden Gardens!#IndvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 17, 2017

09:47 IST: R Ashwin is the next batsman who opens his account with a boundary off a full toss by Dasun Shanaka. India 34/4 after 18 overs. 

09:41 IST: OUT. Rahane edges the ball, straight to the keeper. Sri Lanka get the breakthrough they've been looking since the morning. Poor shot selection by Rahane. Departs for 4 runs. India 30/4 after 17.2 overs.

09:33 IST: 1st single in 54 balls for Pujara. He flicks the ball to long leg. India 30/3 in 16 overs.

We are going back to what we were told about cricket. Give the 1st hr to the bowlers, play in the 'V', admire patience and resilience, play close to the body.....

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 17, 2017

09:30 IST: Finally runs off the bat for Rahane. Lakmal concedes a boundary after giving room to the batsman. India 29/3 in 15 overs.

09:24 IST: Superb back-to-back fours by Pujara. Two boundaries in the over. Dasun Shanaka gives room to the batsman, gets punished with two fours. India 25/3 after 14 overs.

09:20 IST: Suranga Lakmal is yet to concede a run. Seven maidens from as many overs for the pacer. India 17/3 after 13 overs. 

09:15 IST: Play begins. Pujara faces Gamage. Outside the off stump, Pujara leaves the ball.

09:08 IST: Mostly cloudy but no traces of rain. Pujara and Rahane will resume Day 2's play for the hosts. Play to begin soon.

08:58 IST: The pitch hasn't changed considerably since the first day. Batting could be slightly tough provided the Sri Lankan bowlers maintain their line and length. 

Weather Update....great news from Eden Gardens #AakashVani #IndvSL pic.twitter.com/M1g7gV6e0F

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 17, 2017

08:52 IST: The sun is playing hide and seek at the Eden Gardens and it's good news as we can expect a day of cricket unlike the first day that was curtailed by rain. The first session will begin at 9:15 IST.

Day 2 of the 1st Test - Hours of play #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/cxtNr4ev1m

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

08:39 IST: It's not raining on the grounds at the moment. If it remains the same, the match should begin on the stipulated time.

08:35 IST: Hello and welcome to the live blog of Day 2 of the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka. The hosts were left reeling after a sensational spell of fast bowling from Suranga Lakmal on Day 1. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will be key to India's hopes of a revival.

Day 2 of the 1st Test - #TeamIndia will resume their first innings at 17/3 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/KOjfMSV3hk

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017

In the second over after tea, skipper Kohli was trapped anticipating an away delivery when the ball sharply cut back in. Kohli went for the review but was given out on umpire's call to bring his innings to an end with zero from 11 balls. Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeaten on eight after playing 43 deliveries in an anxious stay at the crease with Ajinkya Rahane at the other end. Bad light and rain meant only an hour's play was possible in the day. The first session was washed away due to drizzle and a wet outfield, and the second session began at 1.42 pm as play was possible only for 43 minutes. The post-tea period began at 3.30 pm and there was no change to India's score in the session but the Lankans added the prized-wicket of Kohli in a 17-minute session.