India vs Sri Lanka First Test: Shikhar Dhawan Storms Galle With Second Straight Century

Shikhar Dhawan slammed his fourth Test hundred and second in succession as India were in commanding position in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Day 2 at Galle. On a difficult pitch, where the ball turned sharply, the left-handed opener looked in control, reaching his century off 178 balls. The knock was studded with 10 boundaries. (Day 2 Blog)

Resuming at their overnight score of 128/1, India were off to a good start as skipper Virat Kohli brought up his 11th half-century. The Lankans were aggressive with their field placements but Kohli was at ease, ready to push around for singles. Dhawan's marathon 271-ball stay came to an end when Nuwan Pradeep removed him for 134.

Dhawan, a natural stroke-player, showed the right intent, ran hard and converted the ones into twos. However, once he entered the 70s, Dhawan slammed a couple of sweetly timed boundaries to inch closer to a century.

Dhawan had set the record books on fire when he slammed the fastest hundred on debut by an Indian in 2013. He then went through a slump in form in Test cricket before showcasing his class with a superb hundred against New Zealand in early 2014.

There was another long wait for the third one which came against Bangladesh in the rain-truncated one-off match in Fatullah in June. But this ton could count as the most crucial given the mastery over tricky conditions, suited to spinners.

Dhawan and Kohli added 227 for the third wicket. The two had come together with India in a spot of bother at 28/2 in 9.3 overs but helped the team take the lead without any further damage.

Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin's 6/46 had bowled Sri Lanka out for 183.