Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 3 at Kolkata: Play called off due to bad light

Watch our reporter Vaibhav Shah discuss the day three’s play with fans from outside the Eden Gardens stadium. 

That's it from Day 3. The play has been called off earlier than normal due to bad light. India 172, Sri Lanka 165/4 with U Yadav & B Kumar bagging two each #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/TTq0Bazhor

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 18, 2017

Sri Lanka have come back splendidly after losing two early wickets. They are within a couple of scoring shot of India’s first innings total. Their batsmen have been beaten umpteen number of times. But have stayed focused. Important India do not concede too big a lead. The match is still open with two days to go. Lanka have to bat last. So will not want a big target to chase. This match is not over.

Even as the players have left the field, the two umpires still stand in the centre.

We are going off surely. Joel Wilson removes the bails and that is the end of Day 3’s play. We lost more than 26 overs today, nevertheless, the match has moved significantly.

Sun has started to set. It has became dark and the umpires are checking their lightmeter. Chandimal tucks the first ball behind square for a couple. Then Chandimal tried to steal a single to mid off. Jadeja ran towards the money and hurled a throw. He missed. Chandimal made his ground and the ball raced away to the fence. Five runs for Sri Lanka! Too many interruptions and the umpires have decided to stop the play due to bad light.

Pretty gloomy in here. I reckon it is a matter of a few minutes.

As the physios consult Chandimal, the umpires take the opportunity to check on and even speak to the captain. We are continuing for the time being.

The two umpires consult each other in between overs and an official runs out to hand the light meter to Kettleborough. They will be needing it very soon, they might even call it off in the next over.

After 45 overs,Sri Lanka 158/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 6 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 14)

Shami is back. Initiates the spell with a short ball outside off, Dickwella shoulders his arms. Ball two is full and angling in, Dickwella blocks it. Dickwella drives the fourth ball for a boundary. Uh-oh! Bad news for India as Shami walks off the field holding his right hamstring. Kohli finishes the over: a full toss, tapped to covers.

Dickwella creams the drive through the covers and it was so good that it was appreciated by everyone seated here.

FOUR! Fuller delivery, outside off, Dickwella drives it wide of mid off.

Still 27 overs left in day’s play. Really doubt we will get even the half of it, with the light fading rather quickly.

After 44 overs,Sri Lanka 152/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 6 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 8)

Back after drinks. Sri Lanka trail by 22 runs. India would like to take a wicket before they cross that mark. Bhuvi continues. Chandimal pushes the second ball through point for a couple. His third ball moves away from Chandimal late and the ball roars past his outside edge.

After 43 overs,Sri Lanka 150/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 4 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 8)

Umesh continues from the High Court End. Chandimal glances one directed at his leg-stump towards long-leg for a single off the third delivery. Dickwella collects his first boundary by glancing a back-of-length ball towards fine-leg, with Kohli not looking too happy. The Lankan keeper-batsman guides the ball towards fine-leg off the next delivery as well, but this time through an inside-edge, fetching the batsman a couple of runs. Seven off the over, with Sri Lanka reaching 150 at the end of it. Another 23 needed to go past India’s first innings score. Meanwhile, the umpire calls for drinks.

FOUR! A welcome boundary for the Sri Lankans after the recent dismissals. Dickwella guides a rising delivery off his hips, with the ball running away towards the fine-leg boundary! SL 148/4

After 42 overs,Sri Lanka 143/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 3 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 2)

Bhuvneshwar comes into the attack in the 42nd over of the innings, starting off with a couple of sharp outswingers, with Dickwella collecting  a single off the first ball. The Uttar Pradesh pacer tests him for the most part in the over, with the Sri Lankan captain only managing a single off the last ball after deflecting the ball towards the off side. Two off the over.

Umesh’s 2 wickets have brought India back into the game. Umesh has bowled a long spell and would be ideal if he or Bhuvi could pick up Chandimal’s wicket soon. He’s Lanka’s best bat.

Change of bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack in the 42nd over, replacing Mohammad Shami from the Pavilion End.

After 41 overs,Sri Lanka 141/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 2 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 1)

Umesh almost snares a third wicket after Dickwella appears to top-edge a short delivery to lob the ball over to the keeper for a simple catch. The Sri Lankan keeper-batsman though, reviews the umpire’s decision immediately, with replays showing the ball deflecting off Dickwella’s right shoulder, forcing umpire Llong to reverse his decision in favour of the visitors. Dickwella gets off the mark with a single towards sweeper point off the next ball. Chandimal sets off for a quick single off the fifth delivery, with the fielder at square-leg missing out on a direct hit that could have sent Dickwella back to the pavilion. Three off the over.

After 40 overs,Sri Lanka 138/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)

Chandimal attempts to swing his bat towards the off-side off the second delivery of the Shami over, with the ball travelling dangerously close to his outside edge while moving away from the batsman. Another peach of a delivery, this time off the last ball of the over, as the ball beats Chandimal’s defence, missing the top of the stumps in the process, before travelling to the keeper. Another maiden for Shami.

After 39 overs,Sri Lanka 138/4 ( Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)

Umesh’s probing line outside off fetches him his second wicket in as many overs as the set batsman Mathews guides one straight into the hands of KL Rahul at cover while looking for a boundary off a drive. With two new Lankan batsmen at the crease, the Indians are back in the game and will look to dominate the evening session in order to extend their control on the match.

OUT! And Umesh strikes for a second time in as many overs, as Mathews guides the cherry straight into the hands of an anticipating Rahul at cover while going for an expansive drive! The Indians suddenly are back in the game now! Mathews has a knack for throwing his wicket away in crucial situations, and this is yet another example of the trend. SL 138/4
 

Mathews c Rahul b Umesh 52(94)

After 38 overs,Sri Lanka 138/3 ( Angelo Mathews 52 , Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1)
 

Shami continues from the other end, angling one sharply in the direction of Chandimal’s pads off the third delivery but hitting him too high above the knee roll to appeal for a catch whatsoever. The Lankan captain, who is yet to settle at the crease, opts to remain cautious in the remainder of the over as Shami collects his fourth maiden.

After 37 overs,Sri Lanka 138/3 ( Angelo Mathews 52 , Dinesh Chandimal (C) 1)

Umesh starts the over off with a steep bouncer, to which Thirimanne has no option but to duck. The southpaw though, gets a real surprise next ball as he gets a thick edge off the top edge of his bat off a rising delivery, getting caught in the slips to depart for 51. Captain Chandimal walks out to bat, getting off the mark with a single off the second delivery he faces. Mathews then brings up his 28th Test fifty with a pull towards the midwicket fence. Some over this turned out to be!

FOUR! What a fine way for Angelo Mathews to bring up his 28th Test half-century, taking 86 deliveries to get to the milestone! Pulling a back-of-length delivery from Umesh towards the midwicket fence! SL 138/3

OUT! And the Indians finally manage to break the partnership! Thirimanne departs as Sri Lanka lose their third wicket with 133 on board. Thirimanne gets a thick top-edge that flies in the direction of the Indian captain at second slip, with Kohli getting into an animated celebration thereafter. Also ends the third-wicket stand at the 99-run mark. SL 133/3

Thirimanne c Kohli b Umesh 51(94)

After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 133/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 51 , Angelo Mathews 48)

Shami angles it on a length but the line is outside off, which allows Mathews to leave it comfortably. Shami responds with a lovely delivery. Same length but the line was closer to the stump, Mathews looks to drive but it whizzes past the outside edge. This time he goes on the backfoot to block it. Ball four was full and on the sticks, Mathews clips it towards midwicket. DROPPED! The ball has travelled between second slip and gully once again. The fielders, Rahane at gully and Kohli at second slip, didn’t move one inch as the ball rolls away for a boundary.

After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 129/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 51 , Angelo Mathews 44)

Umesh continues. A quick single off the first ball. Some drama. Mathews gets the first official warning for running on the wicket. Thirimanne plays uppishly off the third ball. Played with hard hands. Lucky that the ball did not carry to any of the fielders. Mathews collects three next. Shami puts in a good effort at the boundary. Kolkata is known for its football, and the local boy shows his football skills. The next two balls are banged in short. Quick and short is the way to go on this pitch clearly. Five runs to the Lankans from that over.

After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 124/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 50 , Angelo Mathews 40)

Shami continues. Bowling round the wicket. The first ball is in a good channel. Left alone by Thirimanne. The next ball is cut hard. Well fielded at the point boundary. One run and that is fifty for Thirimanne. Mathews collects a four off the next ball. Picked the length up early. Six runs from that over.

FOUR! Mathews picks up the length early and pulls that ball from Shami through mid wicket and collects four. He moves on to 39.

Fifty! Short from Shami and Thirimanne cuts past point to get to his fifth Test fifty. Fifty off 86 balls with eight fours.

After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 118/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 49 , Angelo Mathews 35)

Umesh comes in to bowl. Thirimanne on strike, two runs away from his fifth fifty. The first ball is left alone. Again good carry. One run off the third ball. The batsman are being pushed on the back foot by Umesh. The fourth ball is a fuller one and driven through the cover and to the fence by Mathews. That is letting the pressure off on the batsman. No runs off the next two balls. Five runs from that over.

FOUR! Juicy fuller one from Umesh and Mathews cover drives it handsomely to the boundary. Bit of inconsistent bowling from Umesh.

After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 113/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 31)

Right then, we are back at the Eden Gardens for the final session of Day 2. Sri Lanka start 59 runs behind, as Mathews takes guard. Shami to start off proceedings in the post-Tea session for India. It has ghot overcast in Kolkata again. Good ploy to start with pace. The first ball is a delicious full one. Defended by Mathews. The batsmen may have spotted the ball late. Two more balls produce no runs. The fourth bal is a Jaffa. Great seam position, on a good length and shapes a touch away from the batsman. Beats him all ends up. There is still a lot on this Eden pitch. The last ball is left alone and that ends the first over after Tea. There is good carry for the bowlers. A maiden.

India need to break this partnership very soon. Mathews and Thirumanne have been beaten often but they have stuck to their job.They are also going at a healthy run rate. Good tea score for Lanka. India have plenty to do.

After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 113/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 31)

Tea taken. After the early strikes, Mathews and Thirimanne have put Sri Lanka in a strong position. A single off the last over before the end of second session.

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 112/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 30)

Ashwin has kept it tight. But this pair has settled down and things are looking bleak at the moment. One off this over.

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 112/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 30)

Bhuvi to bowl his fourth over of this spell. The wicket, however, is still eluding him. The thing is India are also not able to build pressure because of the trail. The hosts need a magical spell to turn things around.

After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 110/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 29)

Kohli will have to start thinking about the runs now. The trail is reducing with each over. One came off this over but India desperately need wickets now and a couple of them.

After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 109/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 28)

Bhuvi continues. After going for three runs on the first three balls, he bowls a peach. Swings it in from outside off and the ball whizzes past Thirimanne’s inside edge.

After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 106/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 48 , Angelo Mathews 25)

Ashwin continues. Mathews eases the first ball to long for a run. Two loopy deliveries followed by a quicker one which is swatted away to the midwicket fence. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! Nothing going India’s way at the moment as Thirimanne sweeps one over midwicket.

After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 101/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 44 , Angelo Mathews 24)

Runs flowing for Sri Lanka and this partnership is blossoming. Courtesy the eight runs (two boundaries) in the over, the 100-run mark has come up for the Lankans. The trail is only 71 now.

FOUR! Leg stump line. Thanks, says Lahiru, and tickles it fine.

FOUR! Goes full and Thirimanne stands tall to flick it through midwicket.

After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 93/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 36 , Angelo Mathews 24)

Time for spin. Ashwin to bowl for India after a long time. Slip and leg gully deployed for him. Sticks to the same length and line in this first three balls; the third of which goes a run. After that, Pujara puts on the shin pads and Kohli keeps a forward short leg. Single also comes on the last ball. Two runs off the over.

After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 91/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 35 , Angelo Mathews 23)

Bhuvi is back after some rest. Three slips in. Two singles off the first two balls followed by four dots.

Ashwin just 8 wickets short of 300th Test victim. He would be fastest to mark.

After 22 overs,Sri Lanka 89/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 34 , Angelo Mathews 22)

Umesh to bowl his sixth over. Might be his last over. Has been slightly expensive today, hasn’t he? Five off this over.

FOUR! Umesh bangs it short, Mathews senses the opportunity and cutis through point.

After 21 overs,Sri Lanka 84/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 33 , Angelo Mathews 18)

The 50-run stand comes up between Mathews and Thirimanne. Shami is extracting good seam and bounce. Saha collected a couple of deliveries with his fingers facing skywards. However, this ended up being an expensive over. Eight off it.

FOUR! Again the ball goes between second slip and gully. Second such boundary for Mathews.

Poor slip catching by Dhawan has given Thirimanne a fresh lease of life. Dropped a straightforward hip high catch at first slip. Umesh bowler to suffer. Sri Lanka are down to less than 100 runs for the lead. Would be dicey if India conceded big lead.

FOUR! Shami goes full and on the pads, Mathews clips it through square leg.

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 76/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 33 , Angelo Mathews 10)

Groundsmen are moving around near the sidelines. The weather seems alright at the moment and Murali Karthik thinks it is just precautionary.  Umesh’s deliveries are seaming around. Bowls five successive dots and Thirimanne guides the sixth ball towards third man for a couple.

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 74/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 31 , Angelo Mathews 10)

Testing over. A couple of balls in the corridor of uncertainty as Mathews plays it out safely.

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 74/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 31 , Angelo Mathews 10)

Thirimanne mistimes a drive to mid on. Then clips one to the leg side. DROPPED! Dhawan puts down a sitter after Thirimanne edges it to him. It was at a good height, but Dhawan grasses it. Next ball Shami goes very full and Thirimanne creams it through covers and runs two. Does the same on the final albeit to fine leg.

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 70/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 27 , Angelo Mathews 10)

Shami is back. Has two slips and a gully. Starts with a bumper, Mathews ducks. Sixth stump line on the second. No need to play at those. Goes full an don the sticks, Mathews clips to mid on for a run. Lahiru instantly gets off the strike with a run to mid off. Mathews, then, scores a lucky boundary before bunting the final ball to Shami.

FOUR! Had him squared, didn’t he? A length ball, angling in, Mathews looked to defend but it goes off the edge between second slip and gully.

The stand is building nicely between Thirimanne and Mathews. India could have introduced Ashwin by now as he has dismissed Thirimanne 11 times in international cricket. It will be interesting to see when Kohli prefers to use him today.

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 64/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 26 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Umesh pitches it full and outside off, Thirimanne doesn’t bother to play at it. Then he defends the second to midwicket. Umesh is not upto the mark today. Concedes two consecutive boundaries. Should Kohli introduce spin?

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Umesh errs and strays it around leg, Thirimanne helps it on his way to the fine leg fence.

FOUR! Short. Wide. Thirimanne tries to cut but edges it over backward point.

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 56/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 18 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Bhuvi to bowl his eighth. Might be his last of this spell. Can he strike one more time? He almost does on the fourth ball. A good length ball, swings away sharply, almost like a fast legbreak and Thirimanne almost edges it.

FOUR! Thirimanne reads the length early, strides forward and punches to the cover fence.

Bhuvi getting an extended spell. On to his 8th. Unusual but with Shami off the ground, Kohli asking for extra effort from his pace ace. Bhuvi still probing with his beautifully swinging deliveries.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 51/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 13 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Still not there. After conceding a boundary, Umesh changes his angle against Thirimanne, goes round the wicket. The southpaw knocks the fifth ball to square leg for a single. Mathews stonewalls the final delivery.

FOUR! Umesh drops it short and around leg, Thirimanne gloves it past Saha and it rolls away to the fine leg fence.

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 46/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 8 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Close! Bhuvi, bowling his seventh over, angles it on a length and moves it away from Mathews, who almost edges it to Saha. Close shave. The very next ball to negate the swing, Mathews shimmies down the track but gets squared up. Could’ve easily edged it to the keeper.

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 45/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 7 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Umesh can do better. He knows it. Didn’t find the correct lengths or lines in this over yet kept it to only one. Maybe he will take a few more balls to get to his proper rhythm.

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 44/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 6 , Angelo Mathews 5)

Four off this over. Mathews collects two braces; first two long leg then he tickles the fifth ball fine and Rohit hares across from fine leg to save a boundary.

Bhuvi after the initial couple of overs has settled down to bowl superbly. Getting the ball to dart either way. Testing the batsmen. With luck, he’d have got his third wicket in his 5th over. Bowling like the seasoned pro he is.

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 40/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 6 , Angelo Mathews 1)

Shami is back. Just feel he isn’t 100%. Anyways, Mathews pats his first ball to backward point to open his account. Then Thirimanne scores a boundary to covers. Five off the over.

FOUR! Full and swinging in, Thirimanne strides forward and drills it through covers.

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 35/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 2 , Angelo Mathews 0)

Short. Outswinger. Inswinger. Swinging away. Bhuvi is mixing it up nicely and keeping Mathews on the toes. Fifth ball, he bowls another inswinger and the ball hits Mathews on the pad. Kohli reviews. Replays show it is just clipping the top of off stump. Umpire’s call is the winner and India don’t lose a review.

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 34/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 2 , Angelo Mathews 0)

First maiden of the Sri Lankan innings. Thirmanne is looking slightly uncomfortable out there. He was hit on the glove and then inside edged a delivery to square leg.

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 34/2 ( Lahiru Thirimanne 2 , Angelo Mathews 0)

After the initial erratic bowling, India have bounced back, thanks mostly to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He has sent Samarawickrama back to the hut. Mathews walks in at number four.

Sadeera Samarawickrama showed he had good hands. Came down hard with punches on both sides of the wicket. Was done in by Bhuvi’s away swing. Could not resist the punch. Snicked to the wicketkeeper. Good break for India.

One wicket brought another for India and it’s the same man, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Both Sri Lankan openers are now in the pavilion. It was an out-swinger from Kumar and Sadeera Samarawickrama was playing way too many shots early in his innings away from the body which is a crime on a pitch such as this. India are back in this match now.

OUT! Samarawickrama’s cameo comes to an end. It was brilliant while it lasted. Bhuvi pitches it on a shortish length and Samarawickrama opts for a wrong shot. Goes for a drive on the up and ends up nicking it to Saha. Samarawickrama departs for 23.

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 32/1 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 21 , Lahiru Thirimanne 2)

Some control in this for Shami. With the start that Sri Lanka have got, it is necessary for India to pull the opposition back. It could happen with wickets or dots. There were four of them in this over, but Lanka also collected two singles.

India needed that wicket. Runs were flowing as Lankans batted positively to get off to a good start. The first negative piece of batting was the intentional padding. Error in judging line. Karunaratne trapped in front

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 30/1 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 20 , Lahiru Thirimanne 1)

Four consecutive dot balls for Bhuvi. India need to build on this. They need to build pressure. What do we have here? Bhuvi has dismissed Karunaratne. Sri Lanka lose a review, too. Thirimanne opens his account with a single to covers.

It was an error in judgement from Karunaratne who has scored the second most number of runs in Tests in 2017 and it is Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has provided India with a much-needed breakthrough. Let’s see what a wicket can do on a wicket like this.

OUT! After four dots, Bhuvi, from around the wicket, angles one around off, Karunaratne leans forward but decides to leave it alone only to be rapped below the kneeroll.  India appeal and the dreaded finger goes up. Dimuth, once again, opts for a review, but it doesn’t help him this time around as replays show that the ball was hitting the off stump. Review wasted!

Lanka lucky with the lbw review. Shami’s delivery with the new, hard cherry bounced more than expected. Karunaratne gets away. Good start by Lanka. Lots of boundaries hit off the new ball.

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 29/0 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 20 , Dimuth Karunaratne 8)

Eleven off the over. Sri Lanka are already on 29 after four overs. The 9-0 whitewash a few months seems distant now, isn’t it? India did have a moment of their own in this over when Karunaratne was trapped LBW. But DRS helped him overturn it.

FOUR! Another boundary. Jeez Samarawickrama is having a ball out there, isn’t he? Strides forward and drives it between covers and mid off. To be honest, Ashwin should’ve stopped it but misjudged it completely. Shami is not happy!

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 18/0 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 11 , Dimuth Karunaratne 6)

Samarawickrama has provided a brilliant start to the Lankans. It is known that his style is counter-attacking and India need to come up with a solution quickly to restrict his natural game. Five off the over.

FOUR! Third boundary already! Samarawickrama flicks it behind square on the leg side.

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 13/0 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 7 , Dimuth Karunaratne 5)

The Indian bowlers are taking some time to find their rhythm. Shami leaks five runs off his two balls. Samarawickrama, after showing good defence, goes for an expansive drive on the fourth. The ball jags away and befuddles the batsman. That’s a beaut. Shami’s final ball is on a length which seams away as Samarawickrama almost nicks it to the keeper.

FOUR! Shami, too, concedes a first ball boundary. It was on middle and leg, Karunaratne flicked it through square leg.

After 1 overs,Sri Lanka 8/0 ( Sadeera Samarawickrama 7 , Dimuth Karunaratne 0)

What’s the talk about the pitch, Sri Lanka seem to say. They have started brilliantly thanks to Samarawickrama, who hit a boundary first ball and then collected three on the second. Eight came off the over.

Sadeera Samarawickrama’s strike rate is more than 80 in First-Class cricket from 28 matches and he has scored 2000-plus runs. It will be intriguing to see how he approaches this innings against in-form new ball Indian bowlers.

FOUR! Off the mark is Samarawickrama in style. Flicks it firmly along the ground to the midwicket fence.

The players are out at the centre. Samarawickrama and Karunaratne are the Sri Lankan openers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the first over. Here we go…

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan batsmen take a few throw downs on the practice wickets.

India have managed to get to 172. More than what they thought after the fall of Jadeja and Saha in the same over.

Shami, Bhuvi and Yadav will be eager to go out there and make the most of the new hard red cherry in the afternoon session. 

Though the grass on the wicket will help the pacers, today they will not have any assistance of the overcast conditions.

Good cameo from Shami. His 24 helped the last two wickets add 44 runs. India’s total of 172 is not a great total, but they’ll take it, especially after being 79 for 6 in the morning and losing Pujara early. Would be interesting to see how India’s seamers perform now.

172 is India’s second-lowest total against Sri Lanka in Tests played in India. The lowest total is 167 at Chennai in 2005.

Lunch has been taken.

Sri Lanka bowl out India for 172. It is slightly more than Lanka would’ve liked given that they had hosts on the mat for most of the first session. It was the last-wicket stand between Shami and Umesh that helped India post a total near 172. Shami is the last wicket to fall, who pulls it to deep midwicket off Gamage.

After 59 overs,India 166/9 ( Mohammed Shami 18 , Umesh Yadav 6)

Shami creams it to extra cover for a single. Ball two is full and on the sticks, Umesh goes on his front foot and strikes it down the ground. He plays out the rest of the over. There was a caught behind appeal for Umesh but replays clearly showed that it came off his thigh pad.

With the rains staying away and it being a Saturday, expectedly more crowds have come in and they are absolutely loving the tailenders bat. Cheering, whistling and hooting even the forward defences.

After 58 overs,India 161/9 ( Mohammed Shami 17 , Umesh Yadav 2)

So pace from both ends. Umesh again takes a run to hand the strike to his attacking partner Shami. He swings the second ball to deep midwicket for a couple and then scores two lucky boundaries. On the fifth, he punches it to mid off for a single. Umesh blocks the final ball.

FOUR! Gamage bangs it short, Shami goes for a pull and edges it over the keeper. Valuable runs these.

Just imagine the conundrum Shami and Yadav must be in with less than half an hour left for lunch. On a wicket that is providing ominous lateral movement they have bats in their hands. Oh how they would love bowling here and have a crack at the Sri Lankan openers in the tricky period of a couple of overs before lunch.

FOUR! Shami tries to thrash it over long on but edges it over the slip cordon.

After 57 overs,India 149/9 ( Mohammed Shami 6 , Umesh Yadav 1)

Lakmal comes back. He is two wickets away from a five-wicket haul and he picks his fourth. Bhuvi walks back for 13. Yadav gets off the mark straightaway with a run to covers. Ball four: Shami goes for an ugly slog to midwicket but the ball pitches and seams away. Lakmal responds with a yorker and Shami, maybe expecting it, blocks. Shami ends the over with a couple.

Only an over for Herath as Chamdimal goes back to his ace bowler Lakmal, who immediately provides the breakthrough, he has 4 balls to get 5-for himself.

OUT! Lakmal collects his fourth. Can he pick up a fiver here? Angles it on a length, Bhuvi pushes and nicks it to Dickwella. He perishes for 13. India lose their ninth wicket.

After 56 overs,India 145/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 13 , Mohammed Shami 3)

Perera loops it around off, Bhuvi drives it to the off side. One run added to the total. Shami drives the third ball to long off to bring Bhuvi back on strike. The fifth ball is cut behind square for another run. Shami tries to slog the final ball but top edges it. The midwicket fielder tried to get under it but failed.

After 55 overs,India 141/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 11 , Mohammed Shami 1)

Herath comes back into the attack. Bhuvi goes for a wild slog on the first ball and misses it complete so does Dicwkella. The batsmen hare across for two byes. Another single follows on the fifth ball.

After 54 overs,India 138/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10 , Mohammed Shami 1)

A quiet over this from Perera. Just two singles off it. India 12 runs away from the 150-run mark.

There have been only two instances of India being bowled out under 150 runs against Sri Lanka in Tests.

112 at Galle in 2015
138 at Colombo (SSC) in 2008

After 53 overs,India 136/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 9 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Bhuvi is not wasting any time and looking to score quickly. He scores a brace on the first and a four on the third. On the fourth after pushing one through covers, he again attempted for a brace, which he completed easily. But the cover fielder put in a slide when the ball was nowhere near him. According to the new ICC rules, it is fake fielding. Kohli isn’t impressed, he wants five penalty runs.

1996 was the last time when India bowled out under 150 runs in a Test innings at Eden Gardens. They were bowled out for 137 runs against South Africa.

A deep point and a fine leg have been added making it six men in the deep for Shami! A fan keeps predicting a six ball-after-ball.

Chandimal knows it too as he brings in someone who has seen it all – Herath.

FOUR! Streaky. Bhuvi pushed forward to drive but edged it past the slip cordon.

After 52 overs,India 128/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1 , Mohammed Shami 0)

How crucial could this over be? Dilruwan Perera has scalped two to peg India back and Sri Lanka have a realistic opportunity to dismiss India under 150.

India are in deep trouble now by losing two set batsmen in one over. It looked like that India will get around 200 runs when both were going great guns, but cricket is a great leveller and now India will try to get around 150 runs and for that Shami and Yadav have to connect one or two.

That’s a double blow.suffered by India. The off spinner Perera struck twice in his fifth over, both with deliveries that did not turn. The dismissal of both Jadeja and Saha in one over has put India back in the dog house. A real change of fortunes within the span of three deliveries.

The giant screen is finally showing the replays and the crowds know it as well that Saha has to go. He is out after 29 and walks off to some genteel claps. 

Double break for the Lankans. Perera has got the wickets of both set batsmen in an over.

Here is Shami who has played a lot of cricket at the Eden Gardens playing for West Bengal on the domestic circuit.

Straightaway 4 men on the boundary – long off, long on, deep mid wicket, deep square leg.

OUT! India have lost both the set batsmen in one over. India in deep trouble now. Jadeja looked to sweep one but top edged it and Mathews caught it at slips. The umpire raised his finger and Saha opted for a review straightaway. Replays indicated there was a spike and the decision stays.

Sri Lanka got the wicket of dangerous looking Jadeja with the help of Dilruwan who drew forward Jadeja to defend the ball but Jadeja was not able to get his pad out of the way and threw his wicket. Brilliant review from Sri Lanka though.

Jadeja and Saha batted pretty well this morning during the course of their 48-run stand. They battled hard, rode a bit of luck and stayed focused during the course of the invaluable seventh wicket partnership. More than the runs they made, it was their willingness to fight it out that stood out. Jadeja was trapped in front by a straight delivery. His knock should inspire others to also fight it out.

OUT! The players had to wait for a long time for this review. Jadeja got rapped on the pads and Sri Lanka appealed. The umpire turned it down. Perera urged Chandimal to take the review and he does. Three reds! And Jadeja has to depart. Excellent review.

Big set back this for India. Jadeja is livid with himself flinging his bat and helmet around. Got to say, a smart review by the Lankans

After 51 overs,India 127/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 29 , Ravindra Jadeja 22)

Shanaka pitches one on a length and around off, Jadeja sees the line and leaves it carefully. Blocks the second ball and then asks Jadeja to drive one, the southpaw resists his temptation. Ball five is a good length delivery and Jadeja dabs it towards third man. Gift! A half-volley outside off, Saha drives it to the cover fence.

FOUR! Shanaka goes too full and Saha drills it through cover-point.

Straight long on and deep square leg are the two men out for Jadeja while for Saha there is deep point and deep mid wicket. Exactly why Saha was tempted to play it towards long on. A lucky escape for the local boy.

Both Jadeja and Saha have played some useful shots to get the stand going so far and it was indeed needed when Sri Lanka got the better of Pujara. However, this pair has still a long way to go. It can be observed that Indian lower order batsmen have again come to the rescue.

After 50 overs,India 122/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 21)

Wriddhiman Saha gets a life as he misses the delivery after trying to heave the ball over long on, but Dickwella squanders the chance to send Saha packing. How much will this cost Sri Lanka?

LUCKY BREAK! Niroshan Dickwella misses an easy stumping as Saha dances down the track and misses the Dilruwan Perera’s delivery

LUCKY BREAK! Niroshan Dickwella misses an easy stumping as Saha dances down the track and misses the Dilruwan Perera’s delivery

After 49 overs,India 121/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Maiden from Shanaka. The Sri Lankan probed Wriddhiman Saha on the off side, but the wicket-keeper batsman negotiates the over safely. Saha batting maturely, showing no haste whatsoever.

This is exactly how a good day of cricket should look. Lovely day, clear blue skies and no mean dark grey clouds around.

After 48 overs,India 121/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Slightly negative from Chandimal. He has kept a long on and a deep square leg for Jadeja. But the southpaw doesn’t take any risks. Maiden over. Perara’s 1st. And its time for drinks.

After 47 overs,India 121/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Shanaka replaces Lakmal. Begins with a loosener that goes down the leg side but then recovers well as Saha plays him out.

This partnership has moved along briskly 42 off 52, courtesy some fine strokes by Jadeja.  If the duo can add 50 more and bat till lunch, the pressure will be on the tourists. Here comes Shanaka…

Sri Lanka’s fragile bowling in evidence. After the pacersLakmal and Gamage, they do not have another bowler to exploit this sort of pitch. With no options available they are forced to turn to spin bowling from one end. India’s next target would be 150 without losing a wicket. They have come a long way this morning.

After 46 overs,India 121/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Saha rotates the strike on the first ball. Jadeja then clobbers one over the long on fence. Seven off the over.

Nice! Dickwella gets playful. He keeps the helmets facing each other and then places the box on top of it serving as the bridge.

SIX! First of the match and only Jadeja could’ve gone for it. Gets a stride forward and tonks it over long on.

Sri Lankan skipper has introduced Dilruwan Perera into the attack for the first time in order to get the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja maybe, but it can backfire as well. Both Jadeja and Saha are good batsmen of spin bowling. However, it can also be said that Perera was introduced by Chandimal this early into the attack as he doesn’t have an option of going in with Shanaka so far as a third seamer.

After 45 overs,India 114/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 24 , Ravindra Jadeja 14)

Lakmal to Jadeja. The southpaw punches the first ball through covers and runs two. Expensive over this from Lakmal. Eight come off it. Slowly but steadily India are scoring quickly.

FOUR! Edged but safe because Saha played it with soft hands. It goes through the cordon and runs away to the fence.

After 44 overs,India 106/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 20 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

Dilruwan Perera to bowl his first over. Interestingly, they have already kept a deep point. Saha doesn’t score on the first four balls but then scores a boundary. Four off it.

FOUR! Perera drops it short and outside off, Saha opens the bat face and guides it behind point.

After 43 overs,India 102/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 16 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

It should’ve been a dot but Sri Lanka have given away a boundary. Chandimal won’t be happy. The fielder did give it a chase. But his body was in contact with the boundary ropes when he stopped it. Unlike Saha or Pujara, Jadeja is looking to play all the balls. Only one leave in the over. It might also be because of the lines but it also indicates how Jadeja is as a player. He wants to feel the ball and it might just work in India’s favour. He is already batting on 12 off 16 balls.

First encouraging milestone of the morning achieved. India 102 for 6. Next target would be to see off Lakmal too and head to 125.

The Sri Lankan fielders were confident it wasn’t a boundary and had taken the field for the right-handed Saha but had to switch their position once Llong in consultation with the TV umpire declared it 4. And with that, India get past the 100-run mark. Phew! It has been difficult.

FOUR! Shabby fielding. Jadeja punched it square of the wicket and the fielder misjudged it because of the bounce.

Gamage seems to be at the end of his 1st spell burst. He’s struggling now against the Indian batsmen, bowling short and spraying it. Need to see him off and milk the other bowlers. The ball too is 42 overs old and as such not as hard and shiny. Batting is easier. Saha and Jadeja doing a good job thus far. Important not to get carried away.

Reassuring sight this. Slowly but surely, today the clouds have given way for some light.

After the curtailed spell of play on first two days, we have progressed rather swiftly this morning.

After 42 overs,India 98/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 16 , Ravindra Jadeja 8)

Jadeja sends the second ball of the over to the fence. And then Chandimal decides to position a sweeper cover. Jadeja punches the third ball beautifully through covers for a brace. Ball five: some work for sweeper cover. It was short and wide, Jadeja cut it to take a single. Late swing. Gamage angles it on a length, Saha stays inside the line and lets it go. Dickwella had to put in some effort to collect it to his right.

FOUR! Jadeja swings his arms and dispatches the ball to the cover fence.

After 41 overs,India 91/6 (Wriddhiman Saha (W) 16, Ravindra Jadeja 1)

Saha is being slightly cautious against Lakmal. He knows he won’t be there for a long time. He is covering the line and leaving the deliveries which are outside off. And defending balls off the back foot too. He has a good judgment of his off stump and it is helping him.

After 40 overs,India 91/6 (Wriddhiman Saha (W) 16, Ravindra Jadeja 1)

Gamage goes round the wicket to Jadeja and bowls a short length ball. Jadeja taps it to covers for a sharp single. Saha gets his timing right and gets a boundary. Saha is going to play his shots. Scores another four to the long on fence. A ball after that, Saha gets pinged on the pads. Sri Lanka appeal and after waiting for sometime, they opt for the review. Replays show it was miles over the stumps. Saha survives and Sri Lanka lose a review.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been bowled 18 times in his career which is the most among Indians since his Test debut.

FOUR! Another! Saha flicks it through the air and through the vacant mid on region.

FOUR! Bad ball. Too full with width offered and Saha creams it through covers.

Pujara’s wicket is a huge set back for the hosts. The paltry crowd that has turned up have pinned their hopes on Saha. A couple of fans who are seated beside me think 200 is still possible.

After 39 overs,India 81/6 (Wriddhiman Saha (W) 8, Ravindra Jadeja 0)

It will be interesting to see how Saha and Jadeja approach the game now. Both have the potential to play counter-attacking cricket. This over, however, goes for only two runs, which were scored by Saha with a mistimed drive to covers.

After 38 overs,India 79/6 (Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6, Ravindra Jadeja 0)

A lovely over from Gamage. A maiden and the precious wicket of Pujara. Sri Lanka all over India at the moment.

The vigil ends. Bowled through the gate. Pujar’s excellent innings of 52 comes to an end with a momentary lapse in concentration. Pujara was batting so superbly and was technically perfect until that lapse. He presented a huge gap between bat and pad and this saw Gamage getting the prized wicket. Pujara was the pillar of the innings, no doubt. His 52 out of a total of 79 says it all.

Sunshine and timber on day 3 at the Eden Gardens... Quite an unplayable delivery from Gamage and Pujara walks back. Just jagged back in at speed. #IndvSL

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 18, 2017

Fell blow and India in deep trouble.Pujara, who looked invincible, gone. Bowled between bat and pad. Superb delivery from Gamage.

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 18, 2017

Cheteshwar Pujara has once again shown that he is a crisis man for India but when he was going good, Lahiru Gamage produced a brilliant delivery to find a gap between his bat and pad. Sri Lanka will now officially deal with Indian lower middle-order batsmen only.

OUT! Sri Lanka have got the big wicket. Gamage is ecstatic and why not? He has castled Pujara. Che went for a drive and left a gap between his bat and pad. He was playing with an angled bat which allowed Gamage to go through his defence. Kohli is left shell-shocked. The Indian team cannot believe it. Puajra departs for 52.

After 37 overs,India 79/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6)

After keeping Saha at bay for the first five balls, Lakmal moves one away from the batsman and beats him on the outside edge.

After 36 overs,India 79/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6)

So just that one over for Herath. Gamage introduced into the attack. Initiates his spell with a full ball outside off and Dickwella collects it near his shoulders. Another ball on the same length but this time it stays low. Angles the third ball on a length, Pujara allows the keeper to do his work. Ball five: Pujara drives it to covers but the bat turns in his bat. Che is not interested in the sixth ball which is outside off.

Patient and poised - @cheteshwar1 gets to his 16th Test 50 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/AlBe0NzZKm

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 18, 2017

Most 50-plus scores in 2017 in Tests:

9 – Dean Elgar 
8 – Lokesh Rahul, CHETESHWAR PUJARA*
7 – Hashim Amla, Faf du Plesis, Joe Root

After 35 overs,India 79/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6)

Lakmal is back! Bowls his first three deliveries in the same line; outside off. Saha leaves it alone. Then he defends the next two deliveries off his back foot before shouldering his arms to the final one.

This will be a crucial first hour for both the teams. India will bank on Pujara once again to take India’s innings as forward as possible. While Sri Lanka will hope for the same start which their pacers gave them on both the days of this Test.

After 34 overs,India 79/5 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6)

Herath tosses it around off, Pujara leans forward to defend. And then mistimes a drive to covers. And three balls later, he slams his 16th half century. On the last ball, Herath raps one on Che’s pads and starts appealing. The umpire is not interested.

FIFTY! Take a bow, Pujara. This has been a fabulous innings. Easily, one of his best. The Indian camp gives him a standing ovation. Gets there with a sweep to the fine leg fence.

Spin finally. Rangana Herath comes into the attack.

Ashish Nehra gets the honour of ringing the bell at Eden Gardens. Right then, the players have walked out. Pujara takes guard to face Gamage’s last ball and takes a single to square leg.

The ball is 33 overs old. That should be to the advantage of lower order batsmen Saha, Jadeja and Bhuvi. The overcast conditions could be negated somewhat by the old ball, though it will still swing and seam. But not as prodigiously as the opening day when the cherry was new. India’s batsmen would do well to make every advantage count.  Most of the wickets have been lost to wild shots and indiscipline. Lessons for others.

The good thing is it hasn’t rained here since that heavy shower we witnessed in the afternoon yesterday. The downside is that the grey clouds are still around. 

As far as the start is concerned we are about to get underway very soon.

Another challenging session in offing for India. The pitch would be fresh and continue to aid swing and seam. Importantly, Lakmal would be well rested and raring to go. India’s batsmen, Pujara, Saha and the rest need to set small targets for themselves and team. First, see off the opening overs of the day, get past 100, see off Lakmal, etc. A total of 175 would be very handy on this pitch. The challenge for Pujara and the rest would be to see the team get there.

Sunil Gavaskar at the pitch report says that there is plenty for the bowlers to cash in on. But the lines and lengths have to be correct. It is important to tempt the batsman in an area where my bat is away from the body.

India vs Sri Lanka: Visitors need to remove Cheteshwar Pujara early on Day 3 tighten grip on Kolkata Testhttp://www.firstpost.com

India vs Sri Lanka: Cheteshwar Pujara needs strong support from lower order to bail out hostshttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and Welcome to Firstpost’s live blog of India vs Sri Lanka Day 3, to be played in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

After two rain-marred days, both teams would be hoping for a better weather on the third day. 

While India would be looking to somehow get their total as close to 200 as possible, the visitors will be aiming to end India’s innings as quickly as they can.