India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 3, Highlights: India Eye Massive Win After Ravichandran Ashwin 10-Wicket Haul
Dinesh Chandimal was the star for Sri Lanka and his unbeaten 162 was the key in Sri Lanka reaching 367. Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 4/114 and in the process registered his third ten-wicket haul. Chasing 176, India have lost Rahul and they have ended the day on 23/1, needing a further 153 more for victory. Relive all the highlights here.
Dinesh Chandimal was the star for Sri Lanka and his unbeaten 162 was the key in Sri Lanka reaching 367. Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 4/114 and in the process registering his third ten-wicket haul. Chasing 176, India have lost Rahul and they have ended the day on 23/1, needing a further 153 more for victory. Relive all the highlights here: (SCORECARD | NEWS | FIXTURES)
(All Times IST)
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17:30: That will be stumps on day three and the match is evenly poised. Lokesh Rahul departed cheaply for the second time when he was dismissed by Herath but Dhawan and Ishant have ensured that India suffered no further hiccups. India have ended the day on 23/1, needing 153 more runs for victory.
17:25: Chaos everywhere and Dhawan survives! He pushes this flighted delivery to cover where Jehan Mubarak misfields, Dhawan hesitantly sets off for the single and Kaushal is unable to collect the throw. Had he collected it and broken the stumps, Dhawan would have been in trouble.
17:20: Rahul is a dead-duck and he falls cheaply in the match for the second time! KL Rahul LBW Herath 5(14).
Brilliant ball by Herath. It grips the surface and spins away sharply as Rahul plays down the wrong line, the ball hits the back pad and he is plumb LBW. Enter Ishant Sharma, the night-watchman and India are 14/1, needing 162 runs more for a win.
17:14: Sri Lanka have already started rotating the bowlers in an effort to unsettle the Indian openers. After Herath opened the bowling with Prasad, Tharindu Kaushal comes on at the other end. India are 9/0, chasing 176 for a victory.
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16:55: Dinesh Chandimal was the star of the show with his knock of 162*, his highest score in Tests and he shared important partnerships with Lahiru Thirimanne and Jehan Mubarak. Although the tail hung in there, they did not contribute much. India need 176 for victory and it won't be an easy task. No side has ever chased down over 100 in Galle in the fourth innings and India will be aiming to break down this barrier.
16:47: Fittingly, Ashwin wraps up the innings and he gets his third ten-wicket haul in Tests. Nuwan Pradeep b Ashwin 3 (4).
Ashwin bowls a full delivery that drifts in and straightens on off stump, Pradeep plays down the wrong line and the ball knocks back the off stump. Chandimal is stranded on 162 but it has been a mighty effort from him. Sri Lanka all out for 367 and the target for India is 176.
16:42: India get another one but Sri Lanka's lead has swelled. Tharindu Kaushal c Saha b Ishant 7 (22).
Full and wide delivery outside off, Kaushal has a waft at it and the thin edge is taken by Saha. However, Chandimal is going strong and he is treating the Indian bowlers with utter contempt. Sri Lanka are 367/9, leading by 175 runs. Chandimal unbeaten on 162.
16:36: Over in Chennai, India A have registered a fabulous four-wicket victory over Australia A. Gurkeerat Singh the star with an unbeaten 87. Catch all the action here.
16:33: Chandimal registers his maiden score of 150 in Tests. It has been a fabulous exhibition of batting from him and Sri Lanka's lead is now 160 runs. How much can he manage with the tail? Sri Lanka 352/8. The second new ball has been taken by India and Varun Aaron will start off.
16:12: Missed run-out! Poor running from Tharindu Kaushal. Chandimal works a full delivery tailing in on his pads to deep midwicket, he looks for the second but Kaushal is slow in getting off the blocks, the throw from Ashwin is slightly off target and Ishant fails to collect. Had he collected the throw, Kaushal would have been out. Chandimal is furious with his partner. The lead is closing in on 150.
15:59: Another wicket and India continue to chip away. Herath c Rahane b Mishra 1 (14).
Mishra comes round the wicket and gets this delivery to spin in, Herath pokes at it and the ball lobs off Saha's thighs and Rahane at slip does the rest. This is now a world record number of catches for a non-wicketkeeper in Tests. Rahane is the first man in Test history to take eight catches in a Test.
That's catch No. 8 in this Test for Ajinkya. And that's a world record #TeamIndia #SLvsIND pic.twitter.com/ux76GcWBV8
- BCCI (@BCCI) August 14, 2015
15:48: Audacious from Chandimal. He employs the reverse sweep and hits it so powerfully that it sails over the ropes at deep backward point. This is now Chandimal's highest individual score in Test.
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15:45: Rahane has had an outstanding catching day and has equalled a world record. Here it is:
7 catches for Ajinkya Rahane, equals Test record with five others! #IndvSL
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 14, 2015
15:42: Just as we speak, Harbhajan gets his first wicket of the match. Vital time! Jehan Mubarak c Rahane b Harbhajan 49 (60).
What a time for Harbhajan to get his first wicket of the match. He floats a flighted delivery outside off and Mubarak pushes at it, the outside edge flies to Rahane who continues to have a great day in the field. Sri Lanka are 302/7, leading by 110 runs.
15:40: Jehan Mubarak goes past his previous highest score of 48 with a pull to deep midwicket. India are running out of ideas.
15:33: The lead has reached 100. Chandimal and Mubarak are playing sensibly and Sri Lanka will be aiming to head into stumps with a sizeable lead.
15:25: After the 125-run partnership with Thirimanne, Chandimal is now sharing a crucial fifty-plus stand for the seventh wicket with Jehan Mubarak. The left-hander has grown in confidence and he hits a massive six off Harbhajan Singh over long-on. He is closing in on his fifty and India are once again struggling to stop the flow of runs.
15:05: There it is! A special moment for Dinesh Chandimal as he notches up his fourth Test hundred off exactly 100 balls. The knock has included 11 fours and two sixes so far. He takes the helmet off and raises his arms to soak in the applause at Galle. Sri Lanka need him to carry on.
15:01: Meanwhile, just before the Tea break, there was some monkey business at Galle. Have a look at this tweet.
Looks like someone mistook the helmet for a basket of blueberries #SLvsInd pic.twitter.com/qpjMDcdhgK
- BCCI (@BCCI) August 14, 2015
14:50: As Tea is being taken in Galle, in Chennai, India A are trying to mount a fightback. Kedar Jadhav holds the key for the hosts. Catch the action here.
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14:40: That will be Tea at Galle. Chandimal (98*) is nearing his century and he has found valuable support in Jehan Mubarak, who is not out on 23. Sri Lanka have dominated this session, scoring 155 runs and losing just one wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne for 44. Ashwin was consistent yet again but Sri Lanka will be hoping to extend their advantage in the final session. Just a note, dark clouds are hovering over the horizon.
14:25: Sri Lanka's lead has reached 50 but they are six wickets down. Chandimal has reached 90 but he needs support from the others.
14:14: India finally have a wicket and they will be breathing easy now. Thirimanne c Rahane b Ashwin 44 (76).
Brilliant bowling from Ashwin. He gets this offbreak just outside off and he pushes at it, Rahane at slip, who has been excellent in this match, makes no mistake and he takes a smart catch. Sri Lanka are 220/6, leading by 28 runs and the 125-run stand is broken.
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14:07: Sri Lanka continue to score at a quick rate and they are increasing the lead. Virat Kohli is a worried man and the bowlers are struggling to contain the flow of runs. The hosts lead by 26 runs and this is a vital period of play for both teams.
13:51: The partnership between Thirimanne and Chandimal has now reached 100 runs. This is a vital partnership and it is the highest partnership for Sri Lanka in this match. After two and a half days, they are finally showing some fight.
13:40: Drinks have been taken in Galle. The match has come alive thanks to this stand between Chandimal and Thirimanne. While Chandimal has persisted with attack, Thirimanne has played calmly and sensibly. The real challenge for Sri Lanka will be to ensure that the partnership continues till the end of the day and build a sizeable lead.
13:37: Sri Lanka have erased the deficit. This wonderful partnership between Chandimal and Thirimanne is currently worth 97 runs and the real work for Sri Lanka begins now. The hosts are 192/5.
13:30: While India continue to work hard to break this partnership, over in Chennai, India A have made a confident start in the final against Australia A. They have restricted them to 226/9 and the openers have started positively. Catch the action here.
13:25: Chandimal continues to have a good match. After scoring 59 in the first innings, he notches up yet another fifty. It has come off 48 balls and it is his ninth overall. This partnership is slowly making India tense.
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13:10: The partnership between Chandimal and Thirimanne has crossed 50 and they are scoring at a great rate. If they continue in this vein, India could face some nervous moments. Sri Lanka are 152/5, trailing by 40 runs.
13:03: Sri Lanka continue the attack after lunch. Chandimal is continuing to improvise with his sweeps and reverse sweeps while Thirimanne is also tackling Ashwin confidently. After lunch, Sri Lanka have scored 39 runs in seven overs at a run-rate of over five.
12:54: Sri Lanka will be looking to avoid an innings defeat at Galle. They have not lost a Test by an innings in Galle since 2000. Here is the stat
June 24, 2000: the last time Sri Lanka lost by an innings at home - by an inns & 163 runs to Pakistan - also at Galle! #IndvSL
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 14, 2015
12:50: Chandimal has come out attacking after the lunch break. He smashes a boundary off Ashwin while he launches Amit Mishra into the stands at deep square leg.
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12:05: That will be lunch on day 3 and India are closing in on an emphatic win. Everything was going smoothly when Sangakkara and Mathews were stitching a 87-run stand for the fourth wicket but once Sangakkara fell, caught brilliantly by Rahane, Sri Lanka were severely jolted. They were demoralised further when Mathews fell to Mishra. Chandimal and Thirimanne have survived a few nervous moments but one feels that it is only a matter of time.
12:01: This could become a talking point. Dinesh Chandimal survives. Chandimal drives a flighted delivery and the ball hits Rohit Sharma's boot at silly point, the ball lobs to Mishra and he takes the catch. Once again, replays show that there is plenty of doubt although it shows that the ball hit the boot on the full. However, the umpire gives it not out. In the past 10 minutes, the umpires have been under tremendous pressure.
11:54: Umpiring Blunder Alert! Two overs, two blunders. First it was Oxenford, now it is Nigel Llong. Mishra gets this delivery to spin back into Lahiru Thirimanne and he jabs at it. The ball takes the inside edge onto the pad and silly point takes the catch. Mishra and the Indian fielders appeal vehemently but it is not given. Replays confirm the inside edge. Poor umpiring!
11:51: Kohli is flabbergasted that Chandimal is not given out. He has a talk with umpire Bruce Oxenford and he still can't believe it. Chandimal attempts to sweep Ashwin, but the ball brushed the edge and hits the helmet, the ball lobs to backward square leg and India appeal for a catch but it is not given.
11:47: Wonderful stuff from Mishra and Mathews goes. Mathews c Rahul b Mishra 39 (63).
This is probably it for Sri Lanka. Mishra gets this legbreak to spin and bounce a bit extra from the pitch, Mathews prods forward and stabs at it, the ball flies off the outside edge and Rahul leaps up at silly point to take the catch. Sri Lanka are 95/5, trailing by 97 runs.
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11:41: Brilliant catch by Rahane and that ends Kumar Sangakkara's final innings at Galle! Sangakkara c Rahane b Ashwin 40 (70).
Brilliant catch by Rahane. Sangakkara goes on the back foot and looks to push this offbreak to the offside, but the ball takes the outside edge and Rahane at slip dives and stretches his left hand to take a brilliant catch. All of Galle stand up and applaud Sangakkara as he plays his final innings at this venue.
11:32: Mathews unfurls the reverse sweep and collects a boundary. Both these batsmen are tackling the offspinners comfortably and the partnership is growing. Sri Lanka are 90/3, trailing by 102 runs.
11:21: In the tri-series final, India A have fought back admirably against Australia A in the final at Chennai. Karn Sharma is causing all kinds of trouble by taking three wickets. Catch all the action here.
11:18: Mathews is employing the sweep well against Ashwin while Sangakkara is struggling slightly. However, both of them are slowly rebuilding for Sri Lanka and they need them to carry on. Sri Lanka are 73/3, trailing by 119 runs.
11:02: Mathews survives a close chance! Ashwin gets this offbreak to kick up viciously from the pitch, Mathews goes on the backfoot and tries to turn it to the leg side and he almost finds Kohli at leg slip. The ball just manages to bounce in front of the Indian skipper as he scoops it up. The umpire asks for the replay and it proves to be inconclusive. Mathews survives and Sri Lanka continue to hold on. There was too much doubt in the replays and thus, the umpire gives it not out. Sri Lanka are 55/3.
10:58: Sangakkara and Mathews notch up the fifty-partnership and Sri Lanka need these two to carry on. Mathews shows his intent by advancing down the track and launching Ashwin to long-on for a six. Sri Lanka are 55/3, trailing by 137 runs.
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10:43: Spin into the attack for the first time on day three. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been Sri Lanka's tormentor in this match, comes on to bowl but Sangakkara plays him comfortably.
10:27: Good confidence shown by Mathews after the blow on his body. He strikes two boundaries off Ishant and these two are slowly settling into the groove.
10:21: OUCH! That will hurt. Ishant gets this good length delivery to cut back in sharply off the seam and it hits Mathews on the hip, who walks away in pain. The Sri Lankan physio has come out and is treating Mathews but the Sri Lankan skipper seems to be alright. He has strapped a hip guard and he is ready to go.
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10:18: Aaron is maintaining the short-pitched barrage and Wriddhiman Saha is finding it difficult to keep wickets to him. Sangakkara is looking in decent touch out there. Sri Lanka 20/3 in the second innings.
10:13: Decent first over from Ishant. He bowls in the right channels and manages to induce Sangakkara into edging a full ball past gully for a boundary.
Really impressed with the way Ajinkya Rahane is catching in the slips. Can replicate Rahul Dravid in that area as well. #INDvSL
- Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 14, 2015
10.05: Angelo Mathews at the crease. He and Sangakkara have a massive task on their hands. Five wides and that's a rare poor delivery from any of the Indian bowlers in this brief innings so far. Sri Lanka 10/3, trail by 182 runs
10: 02 AM: WICKET! Varun Aaron has struck off the first ball of the day, removing night-watchman Dhamika Prasad (3). The Lankans are tottering at 5/3, trailing b 187 runs
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His 11th Test century was his first against Sri Lanka and it was his fourth in four games. The 227-run stand was broken by Tharindu Kaushal when he trapped Virat Kohli LBW for 103. Sri Lanka struck with the second new ball when Dhawan was bowled for 134. Wriddhiman Saha struck his maiden Test fifty and he helped India gain a huge 192-run lead. For Sri Lanka, only Tharindu Kaushal was the pick of the bowlers with a haul of 5/134. (Dhawan Chooses Team Interest Over Style)
Towards the fag end of the day, Kohli unveiled his master-stroke when he decided to open the bowling with Ashwin and Amit Mishra. Ashwin, who tormented Sri Lanka in the first innings with 6/46, got the early wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for 0 and Mishra complimented him superbly by snapping up Kaushal Silva for 0 with a googly. Sri Lanka ended the day on 5/2 and looking at the performance of the Indian spinners, it will take a miracle or a big knock from both Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews to avert defeat. (Ganguly Says He Sees Maradona in Kohli)