Ind vs SL 2nd Test Day 3: Virat Kohli's double ton leaves Sri Lanka in tatters

Nagpur: After a double hundred from skipper Virat Kohli (213) and hundreds from Murali Vijay (128), Cheteshwar Pujara (143) and Rohit Sharma (102*), India, who declared their innings at 610/6, taking a mammoth 405-run lead against Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the second Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday, have scalped a Sri Lankan wicket to have take giant strides to win the second Test and take 1-0 lead in the series.

Before stumps on Day 3, Ishant Sharma dismissed Sri Lankan opener Sadeera Samarawickrama as Sri Lanka scored 21 runs in nine overs.

While Kohli once again led from the front, Vijay, Pujara and Rohit made sure they contribute to the team’s cause and push Sri Lanka out of the game. Kohli, who was unbeaten on 54 on Day 2, added 159 runs more to his account before being dismissed in the final session on Day 4.

Sri Lanka managed to remove Cheteshwar Pujara but it was India’s session as Virat Kohli brought up his 19^th Test ton on Day 3 of the second Test.

Pujara and Kohli, who resumed play on the overnight score of 312/2, added 87 runs more to their partnership before Dasun Shanaka broke through Pujara’s defence; the only bright spot for Sri Lanka in the first session on Day 3. Kohli, meanwhile, marched to his 19^th Test ton, second hundred of the series and 10^th ton in 2017 to break Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith’s record of most number of hundreds in a calendar year for a captain

While Pujara did not score at brisk pace, Kohli was at his imperious best as he bossed the Sri Lankan attack. While the bowlers lacked spice, Sri Lankan fielding was also a letdown as there were a couple of overthrows. India, meanwhile, cashed in on every possible opportunity to score runs as they stretched the lead 199 runs before lunch with seven wickets still in hand.

Sri Lanka managed to get rid of Ajinkya Rahane immediately after lunch as the Indian vice-captain could not make most of the Dilruwan Perera delivery. Rohit Sharma, who was making a comeback to the Test team after a while, did not miss out on an opportunity to score big as he brought up his third Test ton and stitched a 173-run partnership with Kohli.

The Indian skipper, meanwhile, notched up his fifth double ton as he continued to live upto his ‘run-machine’ nickname. While he got out after scoring 213, India had no trouble going past 600-run mark. Kohli eventually declared the innings after Rohit completed his hundred.

India 597/6 from 184 overs:

WICKET! Dilruwan Perera has his third as he R Ashwin departs.

India 583/5 after 170 overs:

WICKET! Kohli's majestic double ton comes to an end and the crowd rises to applaud the skipper. Throughout his innings, he's made a mockery of the Lankan bowlers and departs going for another big shot. Kohli dances down the track to smack Perera over extra cover, but gets a top edge. Thirimanne at long-off takes a safe catch.

India 567/4 after 168 overs:

200 for Kohli! Top, top innings from the India skipper. Continuing his brilliant ton from Kolkata, Kohli battered the opposition bowlers to bring up his 5th Test ton. With the way he's going, looks like there's no stopping him.

India 455/4 after 140 overs:

150 for Kohli! There's no stopping this man. Certainly not today. He is making merry as India's lead has moved past 250-run mark. Rohit Sharma too adding some quick runs as India continue their dominance against Sri Lanka.

India 414/4 after 130 overs:

WICKET! Ajinkya Rahane departs. Misses out on a chance to score big again. A hit-me ball from Dilruwan Perera and Rahane fails to cash. Early breakthrough for Sri Lanka in second session.

Sri Lanka managed to remove Cheteshwar Pujara but it was India’s session as Virat Kohli brought up his 19^th Test ton on Day 3 of the second India versus Sri Lanka Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday.

Pujara and Kohli, who resumed play on the overnight score of 312/2, added 87 runs more to their partnership before Dasun Shanaka broke through Pujara’s defence; the only bright spot for Sri Lanka in the first session on Day 3. Kohli, meanwhile, marched to his 19^th Test ton, second hundred of the series and 10^th ton in 2017 to break Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith’s record of most number of hundreds in a calendar year for a captain

While Pujara did not score at brisk pace, Kohli was at his imperious best as he bossed the Sri Lankan attack. While the bowlers lacked spice, Sri Lankan fielding was also a letdown as there were a couple of overthrows. India, meanwhile, cashed in on every possible opportunity to score runs as they stretched the lead 199 runs with seven wickets still in hand.

India 399/3 from 125 overs:

WICKET! Finally, something goes past Pujara's defence. Finally, a breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Finally, the Pujara-Kohli stand is broken. But it is still advantage India.

India 373/2 from 119 overs:

HUNDRED! 19th in Test cricket, 51st in international cricket. 10th ton in 2017. Virat Kohli, the run-machine, has done it again. India all over Sri Lanka.

India 360/2 from 114 overs:

Overthrows, easy runs, boundary balls and more; Sri Lanka have been miserable in the field as Virat Kohli moves into 90s and Indian lead sails past 150. Ominous signs for the visitors.

India 334/2 from 108 overs:

Over 40 minutes into the game on Day three and neither Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli looked threatened by Sri Lankan bowlers. While Pujara is taking his time to score at brisk pace, Kohli has added 20 runs to his overnight score of 54.

Can Sri Lanka turn around the game on its head? Or will it be Virat Kohli-led India who will continue to dominate the proceedings? These questions will be on everyone’s mind as the third day of the second India versus Sri Lanka Test kicks off at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday.

After R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma joined hands to bundle out the visitors for 205 on Day 1, the duo of Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara dominated the Lankan bowlers on Day 2 with a 209-run partnership. While Vijay got out after scoring a ton, Kohli joined Pujara as the two stitched an unbeaten 96-run stand by stumps on Day 2.

While Sri Lankan bowlers toiled, it was India who are in an advantageous position. With the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin and Jadeja waiting in the wings, scoring above 600 is not a far-fetched dream.