Third Test: Sri Lanka Trail By 405 Runs Against India On Day 2
New Delhi: Sri Lanka reached 131/3 trailing by 405 runs after India declared their first innings at 536 for seven on the second day, which was marred by complaints of air pollution, during their third and final Test at the Ferozshah Kotla ground here on Sunday.
Captain Virat Kohli hit his career-highest score of 243 as he shared a 135-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rohit Sharma (65) to power India to a big total. Sri Lanka complained of poor air quality and hazy condition after two players - Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal had to go off. Both seemed to be struggling with their breathing. At the end of the second day's play, Angelo Mathews (57 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (25 not out) were at the crease for Sri Lanka. Dilruwan Perera contributed 42 for the visiting side.
Earlier, riding on some brilliant batting by skipper Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India declared their first innings for 536/7 in the second session, which was marred by several interruptions due to pollution and injuries. Kohli amassed 243 runs -- his highest score in Test cricket -- before being trapped lbw when a delivery from left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan turned more than he expected. It was the sixth double ton of Kohli's career and his third during the current year. Rohit also batted well at the other end, scoring 65 runs off 102 balls to help India put on a mammoth total. Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha (9) and middle-order batsman Ravindra Jadeja (5) were at the crease when Kohli decided to declare. Resuming the day at the overnight total of 371/4, Kohli continued where he left off on Saturday.
Rohit, at the other end, supported him by playing some beautifully crafted shots. Right from the first ball of the morning session, Kohli and Rohit were right on the money. They thrashed the Lankan bowlers at will and maintained a good run rate. The two added 129 runs between them in the session before the Mumbai batsman was dismissed on the last ball of the session. In the process, Kohli completed his sixth double ton in 238 balls. The Delhi batsmen thus joined Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in sharing the record of most number (six) of double centuries for India in Test cricket. The Sri Lankan bowlers, on the other hand, created several chances but failed to make them count and thus got struggled at the placid wicket. Just before lunch, Rohit also completed his half century in 88 balls but just when things seemed good in the middle, Rohit was dismissed on the last ball of the session by Sandakan. For Sri Lanka, Sandakan was the only successful bowler in the morning session.
