India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test Day 5 Highlights: Ashwin's 5/42 Scripts 278-Run Win for India to Level Series 1-1
Ravichandran Ashwin took 5 for 42 as India crushed Sri Lanka by 278 runs to level the series 1-1. Catch all the highlights here.
India dismissed Sri Lanka for 134 to draw level in the three-match series. Catch all the highlights here (Scorecard | Schedule | Photos):
1336 hrs (IST): That is all from the P. Sara Oval and it's down to the series decider at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo which begins on August 28.
1334 hrs (IST): He praises Kohli and the Indian team. "Thanks for kind words. Couldn't have asked more than tough cricket. Losses don't matter."
1332 hrs (IST): Sangakkara breaks down as he talks of his family. "My parents are here with me, they are my inspiration, you're amazing."
1331 hrs (IST): "I'll miss the dressing room. Chatting, laughing & talking about nonsense, will cherish the memories," he adds.
1328 hrs (IST): "I thank all my coaches. To all my teammates, thank you for all you have done for me," says an emotional Sangakkara.
1327 hrs (IST): Sangakkara comes to deliver his farewell speech. "I have so many people to thank, especially everyone here who took the time to come and watch the cricket," he says.
1323 hrs (IST): The Sri Lankan president offers Sangakkara the High Commissioner's post in the United Kingdom.
1320 hrs (IST): Kohli presents a signed Indian Test jersey to Sangakkara.
1318 hrs (IST): The likes of Gavaskar and Ranatunga are present as Sri Lanka honours Sangakkara for his service to the game.
1311 hrs (IST): The special ceremony to felicitate Sangakkara gets underway.
1259 hrs (IST): The presentation ceremony is over but now a special event for the retiring Kumar Sangakkara.
1256 hrs (IST): Virat Kohli is pleased with his team's performance. "Commendable effort to regroup so soon and putting up this show," he says.
1252 hrs (IST): Lokesh Rahul is the Man of the Match. "Very happy with this result and it will help us going into the final Test," says Rahul.
1250 hrs (IST): "I would like to thank Sangakkara for his contribution to Sri Lankan cricket. We can't thank him enough," says Angelo Mathews.
1248 hrs (IST): This is India's first Test win since July last year when they beat England at Lord's.
1238 hrs (IST): It's all over! Mishra removes Chameera and Sri Lanka crumble on Day 5. India have won the game by 278 runs. Kohli has his first Test win at the helm.
1231 hrs (IST): Play resumes and India looking for that final wicket to seal the issue.
1222 hrs (IST): This will be Virat Kohli's first win as Test skipper. He came close in Australia and in Galle in the last game, but it seems he will be third time lucky.
1215 hrs (IST): One session is enough to change a game and that's just what happened for India. In 21.3 overs, Sri Lanka lost 7 wickets for 58 runs. The hosts are staring at a massive defeat. Not the way Kumar Sangakkara would have wanted to end his international career.
1205 hrs (IST): India's last Test series win in Sri Lanka was in 1993. On their last tour in 2010, the series was drawn 1-1.
1158 hrs (IST): An early lunch has been taken. So some respite for Sri Lanka and India will look to finish it off once they come back on.
1154 hrs (IST): The good news is that is has stopped raining. It remains to be seen how soon play will resume.
1149 hrs (IST): The covers come on as rain stops play. The crowd cheers as only the weather can prevent a Sri Lankan defeat. Sri Lanka 130/9, Target: 413.
1144 hrs (IST): WICKET! Kaushal trapped leg before by Mishra. Sri Lanka 128/9, Target: 413.
1142 hrs (IST): The match could well end before lunch the way things are going. Sri Lanka 124/8, Target: 413.
1132 hrs (IST) WICKET! Ashwin has five as Karunaratne's vigil ends. Sri Lanka 123/8, Target: 413.
1120 hrs (IST) WICKET! Prasad tries to hit Ashwin into the stands but only skies a catch to Mishra. India on the verge of a huge win. Sri Lanka 114/7, Target: 413.
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1114 hrs (IST): WICKET! Ishant gets rid of Mubarak for a duck. India look set to wrap things up. Sri Lanka 111/6, Target: 413.
1113 hrs (IST): WICKET! Thirimanne is sent back by Ashwin thanks to a sharp catch by substitute Pujara. Sri Lanka 106/5, Target: 413.
1102 hrs (IST): A productive session for India so far. Two wickets at the cost of just 34 runs from 13 overs. Sri Lankans playing for survival at the moment. Unless the momentum shifts, this could be the trend for the rest of the day. Sri Lanka 106/4, Target: 413.
1055 hrs (IST): Kohli juggling his bowlers well so that nobody has to bear extra load. Ishant back into the attack. Sri Lanka 102/4, Target: 413.
1044 hrs (IST): A close attacking field being maintained by Kohli as with Ashwin and Mishra bowling in tandem. India clearly looking to expose the lower order before lunch. Sri Lanka 100/4, Target: 413.
1036 hrs (IST): WICKET! Mishra gets rid of Chandimal as the latter tries to sweep but the ball disturbs the furniture behind. India breaking through the middle order. Sri Lanka 91/4, Target: 413.
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1026 hrs (IST): Sri Lanka are faced with the third highest successful chase in Test cricket history. Their best chase was 352/9 vs South Africa in 2006. Sri Lanka 90/3, Target: 413.
1017 hrs (IST): The Lankans looking to get through the first hour. Losing Mathews early was a big blow and India will have their tails up as they aim to make further inroads into the hosts' batting line-up. Sri Lanka 82/3, Target: 413.
1008 hrs (IST) Chandimal has joined Karunaratne in the middle. Sri Lanka have been jolted early after a first-ball strike by Umesh. The hosts face as uphill task from here. Sri Lanka 72/3, Target: 413.
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0959 hrs (IST): Players take the field and India will target a couple of early wickets. Umesh Yadav runs in for the first ball and WICKET! Mathews edges it to the keeper and Lokesh Rahul takes it gleefully. Sri Lanka 72/3, Target: 413.
0947 hrs (IST): All set for the final day's play in Colombo. Will Sri Lanka go for the win or try to force a draw? One thing for certain is that India are pushing for victory to draw level in the three-match series.
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India were on top at the start of day four in the second Test at Colombo. All they needed was to extend their advantage and bat Sri Lanka out of the game. India did exactly that thanks to Ajinkya Rahane. In overseas conditions, his contributions have been pivotal for the team and he once again played a knock when the team needed it the most. His fourth Test century, all outside India, put them in the driver's seat and set Sri Lanka a target of 413.(Ishant Sharma Fined)
When Kaushal Silva fell to Ashwin, all eyes were fixed on Kumar Sangakkara. He got a guard of honour and looked in great touch by spanking three glorious boundaries. However, R Ashwin broke a million Sri Lankan hearts when he sent back the legend for the fourth time in this series. It brought an end to Sangakkara's glorious career and with his dismissal, Sri Lanka are staring down the barrel.('Sangakkara One of the All-Time Greats')
Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne ensured that there were no further problems until stumps. But, with Ashwin making life hard out there, the hosts face a massive task of saving this match on the final day.(Rahane's Ton Gives India Advantage)
The stars for India in this Test have been the bowlers. Ishant Sharma has contributed at vital times with the new ball while Amit Mishra has been lethal on this wicket. Mishra is the latest line of leg-spinners to trouble Sri Lanka after Imran Tahir and Yasir Shah and he will be the key along with Ashwin on the final day.(Day 4 Statistical Highlights)
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Sunil Gavaskar has emphasised that India need Ashwin and Mishra in order to win the match. Sri Lanka will be aware that a loss could dent their chances heading into the third and final Test. They will be determined to ensure that Sangakkara signs off his final day without a loss.(Gavaskar Says India Need Ashwin, Mishra to Win)
One way or the other, the final day of this Test match will be an emotional moment for Sri Lanka. With 12400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40, the curtains have come down on a stellar career. Cricket will be a poorer game without the presence of Sangakkara, an all-time great.('Rahane's Knock Took the Game Away From us')