India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2 in Kolkata: Day 2’s play has been called off due to incessant rains. Only 21 overs were possible today. India, as well as Sri Lanka, must be left frustrated. Just when Pujara was getting into his groove, it started raining. He will have to go through the process of getting set once again tomorrow. Day 1 report: Pacer Suranga Lakmal took three wickets to shave off India’s top order and reduce them to 17/3 at stumps on a heavily rain-truncated opening day of the Test at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. Play was stopped for three and a half hours after light drizzle, coupled with the wet outfield, forced covers to remain on the field throughout the morning. After a delayed toss, the proceedings had to be halted thrice due to bad light. [caption id=“attachment_4213697” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] India’s Virat Kohli and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal. Agencies[/caption] Of the 11.5 overs bowled over 60 minutes of play that was possible, the tourists had the hosts on the mat from the word go. At stumps, which was called early due to bad light, India were reeling at 17/3. Lakmal (3/0) accounted for opener Lokesh Rahul (0) on the very first delivery, also taking the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (8 off 11; 1x4) and captain Virat Kohli (0 off 11) in a spell of devastating swing bowling courtesy the seam-friendly wicket. Rahul’s golden duck ended his streak of seven consecutive Test fifties. A seaming delivery squared on the Karnataka right-hander inside the crease, forcing Rahul to edge the delivery which had extra bounce away from his body to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella. At the other end, Dhawan dragged the ball onto his stumps the only time he was brought to his front foot by Lakmal. Pujara got his first runs after 21 balls, pushing at a delivery short of a good length which went for a four towards the third man boundary. The conditions were tough to bat even for the in-form and technically sound Saurashtra batsman. He was searching for the ball which nipped back off the deck rather late. At tea, India were 17/2 with Pujara (8) and Kohli (0) at the crease after only 43 minutes of play. In the final session, Pujara, who came into the Test scoring a double ton against Jharkhand and 182 versus Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy, was the only batsman who looked to be settling down on a wicket which had a lot of zip. To a Lahiru Gamage half-volley, Pujara played a classy drive past mid-off before the right-arm fast bowler got back with a gem of a delivery in the next ball that moved in at the batsman. However, he witnessed his captain Kohli depart after an 11-ball stay, falling plumb to a superb Lakmal delivery which held its line as Kohli played for the outswing. With inputs from IANS
Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2 at Kolkata: Hosts 74/5 at stumps
Day 2’s play has been called off due to incessant rains. Only 21 overs were possible today. India, as well as Sri Lanka, must be left frustrated. Just when Pujara was getting into his groove, it started raining. He will have to go through the process of getting set once again tomorrow.
 "Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2 at Kolkata: Hosts 74/5 at stumps")
Watch our correspondent Vaibhav Shah review Day 2’s play live from the Eden Gardens.
If yesterday belonged to Lakmal, today it was Shanaka’s day. The Sri Lankan medium pacer bagged the wickets of Rahane and Ashwin, pushing the hosts further on the backfoot.
Solid as ever, Pujara still keeps the hopes of an Indian recovery alive with the very able Saha for company.
That's all folks. No more play possible due to the rains here in Kolkata. #TeamIndia 74/5 at the end of Day 2 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/DvDaQQMyYt
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017
There we have it. It was highly unlikely after the heavy rains in the afternoon for the ground to be game ready.
In fact, even if it doesn’t rain from this moment onwards, it cannot be said with assurance that the match will begin on time tomorrow.
What a pity. Was an engrossing period of play asking a lot of questions of the batsmen. Hopefully, tomorrow morning.....
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 17, 2017
This rain isn't going anywhere......
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 17, 2017
A few avid fans gather around the railing, shouting Virat Kohli’s name and have been crying their voices hoarse. They are probably celebrating getting a wave or perhaps making eye contact with Kohli. With no cricket available at the moment, all fans want is just one teeny-tiny glimpse.
The rain has got heavier. Incessant rainfall has forced spectators who had been sitting under their umbrellas, to move out from their seats and take cover under the roof.
Chances of play resuming looking bleak.
If you are waiting for play to resume in Kolkata, I suggest you find something better to do until atleast 9am tomorrow. Day 2 looks done here. ⛈️☔️🌧️ #IndvSL
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 17, 2017
Rain or no rain, Sudhir Gautam is the man for all seasons, the fans keep flocking around the most popular fan of the Indian cricket Team and he is happy to oblige them.
Well, some more rains. You gotta feel for the ground staff, they had been working since past one hour but the skies have opened up again.
Spectators run into the shed while few create their own.
This region, in particular, is the main concern, with as many as six men being deployed to mop the large volume of water accumulated.
And super soppers are at work straightaway. They leave one after the other and all four will be in operation in a couple of minutes. The water accumulated over the covers have to be dried out first and only then will they be able to dry the outfield.
That’s a lot of work!
Finally some respite as the rain has stopped for the time being. Umpire Anil Chaudhary and the pitch curator venture out on to the cover-laden field.
Evident puddles are formed all across the ground, especially near the boundary, forcing them to tip-toe over it.
The second session was supposed to start by 12 but with the ongoing rains, there is no chance we are starting anytime soon.
The picture of Eden Gardens is no different to what you have seen for the most part of yesterday.
In case you have just joined us, here is how it looks:
Late showers were forecast in the day but it has disturbed the play in the first session a tad earlier than expected.
And the downpour is no more a breezy little drizzle, it has got heavier. This will surely affect the play in the subsequent session.
Lunch has been taken early at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Rain had halted play and the officials have decided to take lunch 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
It's an early lunch at the Eden Gardens with India on 74/5 (Pujara 47*, Saha 6*) https://t.co/ln05So6Mox #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/gskupV9D73
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017
The light rain has reduced slightly but the entire ground is getting covered, we might have an early lunch is what I feel.
Sri Lanka have enjoyed another successful passage of play.
While the ever-so doughty Pujara has stood tall.
After 32 overs,India 73/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 47 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 5)
Eleven off the over. India are moving on and that’s partly because Sri Lanka have failed to sustain the pressure from either end. Pujara is also closing in on a fifty.
After 31 overs,India 61/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 40 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)
Gamage continues. His second ball is slightly short and on the sticks, Pujara nudges it past midwicket to rotate the strike. Saha defends three balls consecutively and then Gamage bowls a jaffa. Full and swinging away, Saha gets tempted for a drive and is beaten on the outside edge.
At the start of the 30th over Pujara was livid with the few spectators moving behind the bowler’s arm. This has happened more than a couple of times in his innings. Never seen Pujara charge down in so much anger.
No doubt he slaps the next ball through the covers for a four.
We have completed 30 overs in a Test and into the 31st, yet no signs of Herath or for that matter any spin. And yes, the Test is happening in India.
After 30 overs,India 60/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 39 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)
Pujara cuts the first ball to the cover fence with disdain and then collects a single. Ball three is short of a length and around off, Saha looks to flirt with it and gets squared up. Does well to not edge it to the keeper. However, he plays the rest of the over confidently.
After 29 overs,India 55/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)
No sign of spin. The Lankan pacers are bowling their hearts out. Pujara tucks the third ball through midwicket for a single. He wanted a second but fails to get it. Saha leaves the fourth ball before inside edging the fifth onto his thigh pad. He also shoulders his arms to sixth ball.
After 29 overs,India 55/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)
No sign of spin. The Lankan pacers are bowling their hearts out. Pujara tucks the third ball through midwicket for a single. He wanted a second but fails to get it. Saha leaves the fourth ball before inside edging the fifth onto his thigh pad. He also shoulders his arms to sixth ball.
After 28 overs,India 54/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 33 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)
Saha to face his first ball. It is a half-volley and Saha digs it out towards gully. He would want to take his time on this pitch. Plays out the over.
'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report
Jasprit Bumrah was rested for fifth Test against England at The Oval Workload management was believed to be the reason behind Bumrah's absence The pacer, however, reportedly has a knee injury, a BCCI official claimed in a report.
More Impact Shorts "‘I’d love to do it’: Trump refuses to rule out third term — despite constitutional limit")
 "What is the ‘Golden Fleet’ of navy ships that Trump wants to counter China with?")
 "‘Ramayan country’: Why Trinidad and Tobago wants to build a large Ram temple")
 "How China's rare earths choke changed America's trade deals")
 "‘I’d love to do it’: Trump refuses to rule out third term — despite constitutional limit")
 "What is the ‘Golden Fleet’ of navy ships that Trump wants to counter China with?")
 "‘Ramayan country’: Why Trinidad and Tobago wants to build a large Ram temple")
 "How China's rare earths choke changed America's trade deals")
Top Shows
