Sri Lanka vs India 2015 Photos

Sri Lanka Fightback on Day Three After Ishant Sharma Five-Wicket Haul Gives India Sizeable Lead

August 30, 2015 17:27

Cheteshwar Pujara became the fourth Indian player to carry his bat and India finished on 312. Ishant Sharma's haul of 5/54 helped India gain a 111-run lead before Sri Lanka fought back towards the end of day three to reduce India to 21/3, a lead of 132.

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Ishant Sharma was the star of the show on day three of the third Test at the SSC as he bowled with pace and venom on a pitch that was assisting the fast bowlers. He bowled impecabble line and lengths to finish with his seventh five-wicket haul. His exploits had extended India's advantage that was laid on day two thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara. (All images courtesy: Reuters and AFP)
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Cheteshwar Pujara had notched up his seventh Test century on day two and at the start of day three, he allowed India to go past 300. However, India were bowled out for 312 and Pujara joined an elite club, becoming only the fourth batsman after Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid to carry his bat in an innings.
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Sri Lanka got off to a poor start with both Upul Tharanga and Kaushal Silva faling cheaply. Umesh Yadav and Ishant were troubling the batsmen with their impeccable line and length as Sri Lanka wilted.
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Ishant and Yadav got plenty of assistance from the wicket and they exploited it wonderfully. Ishant, in particular, was getting plenty of movement and extra bounce and Sri Lanka continued to lose wickets on a regular basis.
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As lunch approached, Stuart Binny also chipped in with vital wickets. He sent back the well-set Dinesh Chandimal on 23 and just before the lunch interval, he got Dimuth Karunaratne for 11 as Sri Lanka headed into the break at 47/5.
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Things did not get any better for Sri Lanka after the lunch break. Lahiru Thirimanne departed for 0 and Dhammika Prasad retired hurt after he was struck on the left hand by a bouncer from Ishant. Sri Lanka were now in danger of getting bowled out at 47/6 and India were rampant.
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Kusal Janith Perera, playing in his first Test, began the rebuilding phase and along with Rangana Herath, helped Sri Lanka get back on the right track. Perera stroked an attacking fifty off just 49 balls and his 79-run partnership was frustrating India.
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There was plenty of tension during the partnership. Ishant and Herath exchanged stares. On 55, Perera miscued the pull shot and was caught at mid-off by Virat Kohli who kicked the ball away in frustration. Ishant and Perera had a heated exchange and it needed the efforts of Ajinkya Rahane and Herath to separate the two. Along the way, Kohli also had a word or two for Perera who retorted back.
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Following the dismissal of Perera, Ishant and Amit Mishra picked up the remaining wickets. Ishant managed to pick up his maiden five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka and thanks to his efforts, India had managed a lead of 111. The advantage was clearly with India and it needed something special from the home team.
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Sri Lanka responded in grand style in the second innings. Pujara, who had carried his bat in the first innings, was cleaned up for 0 in the second ball of the innings when Dhammika Prasad got a delivery to nip away sharply. This wicket boosted the hosts and they choked India.
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Nuwan Pradeep got the wickets of Lokesh Rahul (2) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) as India tottered at 7/3. However, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma looked to rebuild but heavy rain resulted in early stumps. At the end of day three, India are 21/3, leading by 132 runs and the onus is on Kohli and Rohit to ensure that India reach a position of safety.

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