LIVE Cricket Score, India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Test Day 1 at New Delhi: Hosts end 371/4; Virat Kohli unbeaten on 156

Our reporter Amit Banerjee analyses the day 1 of the 3rd Test between Indian Cricket Team and Sri Lanka Cricket outside Feroz Shah Kotla.

Two fine stumpings from Dickwella bring some cheer to Sri Lanka at the end of a long day.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 2, 2017

Aaaaand that’s a wrap on the first day of the final Test! The late wickets might have restored some confidence for the visitors, but the day still firmly belongs to the hosts, thanks to the daddy hundreds by Vijay and Kohli, who is still unbeaten and on course to yet another double ton.

Kotla saw a decent turnout on Day 1, and I assume the numbers will only swell on the second day.

After 90 overs,India 371/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 156 , Rohit Sharma 6)

So after 89 overs of domination, Sri Lanka get one over for themselves. Can Sandakan strike once more here? After a couple of balls, Sri Lanka decide to keep a slip. Rohit tries to sweep but misses. Then he fails to read the googly and Chandimal brings in a second slip. Rohit defends the fifth ball to the leg side and then lunges forward to bury the final delivery.

After 89 overs,India 371/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 156 , Rohit Sharma 6)

De Silva continues. Rohit slams a boundary before glancing the final ball to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Rohit reads the length early and cuts it comfortably through point.

After 88 overs,India 366/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 156 , Rohit Sharma 1)

Sandakan has bowled two lovely deliveries to provide Sri Lanka respite late in the day. He beautifully set up Rahane. Bowled a chinaman on the second ball and then dished out the googly, which Rahane missed and got stumped. A wicket and a single off the over as Rohit Sharma opened his account off his second ball.

OUT! Sandakan strikes yet again with his googly. He drew Rahane forward and the ball spun away. Dickwella collected it and whipped the bails off. Rahane’s back foot is on the crease and he will have to walk back. His poor run continues. He departs for 1.

After 87 overs,India 365/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 156 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Decent over from Dhananjaya de Silva. A couple and two singles off it.

The one bowler who fooled Vijay a couple of times, Sandakan finally got him stumped. Once again his googly fooled Vijay. But the batsman had done his job. Brilliant batsmanship for his 155.

After 86 overs,India 361/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 153 , )

Sandakan scalps his first wicket of the match. Gets rid of a well set Murali Vijay. Four came off the over.

OUT! Sandakan turns it away from Vijay and Dickwella clips the bails off. The umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Vijay’s back foot was on the line. He will have to depart. Dickwella knew he had got his man immediately and the Lankan camp was quite confident. Vijay is frustrated and walks back for 155.

What a day’s batting it has been! And the day is not yet finished! India have been scoring at over 4 runs per over and are thrashing the Lankan bowling at will. Already over 360 runs on the board and with another 4 overs left for the India, India really are proving that they are in a different league. Vijay and Kohli have been outstanding.

After 85 overs,India 357/2 ( Murali Vijay 154 , Virat Kohli (C) 151)

Vijay dabs the first ball behind point for a single. 150! Back-to-back 150-plus score for Virat Kohli. Gets there with a lovely back foot punch through covers for three.

After 84 overs,India 353/2 ( Murali Vijay 153 , Virat Kohli (C) 148)

Four dots and two singles. Kohli is two runs away from 150. Will he get there in the next over?

After 83 overs,India 351/2 ( Murali Vijay 152 , Virat Kohli (C) 147)

De Silva to Vijay. One a single off the first four balls. Kohli drives the fifth ball to long on for a single. The two Indian batsmen are looking supremely comfortable in the middle. The last ball is played by Vijay to square leg. No run. Kohli approaching 150 too. Two runs from that over.

Another 150-plus knock for Murali Vijay. Great powers of concentration. His fourth score of 150 or more in Tests. Sri Lanka are really in for a pasting in this innings. Kohli too is one stroke away from the same landmark.

After 82 overs,India 349/2 ( Murali Vijay 151 , Virat Kohli (C) 146)

Sandakan to Kohli. Four. Half-tracker pulled with disdain to the mid-wicket fence. Sandakan then bowls another no ball. This is poor from him. Kohli takes a single and on the fourth ball Vijay takes a single past cover to get to his 150. He has hit a purple patch immediately after returning to the team. Bodes well for his chances in the South Africa series. Two more runs from that over, nine in all.

Kohli dismisses a very short delivery from Sandakan for a boundary at midwicket.

After 81 overs,India 340/2 ( Murali Vijay 149 , Virat Kohli (C) 140)

De Silva to Kohli. One run off the first two balls. Vijay drives the fourth ball to long on for a single. Reaches 149. Kohli gets a single off the next ball. Vijay faces the last ball looking to get a single for his 150. Drives one on the off side and looks for a single. Sent back. Stays on 149. Three runs from that over.

The Vijay-Kohli pair have batted for almost two sessions now, and are starting to look invincible, with the partnership now crossing the 250-mark. Preserving their wickets until the end of day’s play will be a big mental boost for the hosts. Meanwhile, the floodlights are coming into use now as we approach the last phase of the day’s play.

After 80 overs,India 337/2 ( Murali Vijay 148 , Virat Kohli (C) 138)

Sandakan continues. A single and two off the first three balls. The fourth delivery is cut away past point by Kohli who uses the room that he gets. Mopped up at the fence. Two runs nevertheless. Then a no ball. A spinner overstepping is very poor cricket. Sandakan has to be more on the mark with his line, length and discipline. Nine off that over. Vijay is approaching 150. That’s 80 overs up. The second new ball is available now.

The 250-run undefeated third wicket stand is huge. Kohli and Vijay have paced themselves superbly. They’ve changed gears a couple of times to keep the Lankans interested but ended up by pulling away each time. Kohli slowed down in the 80s and has gone on in the same vein. Vijay’s playing a lot more freely after his individual 80-run mark. Wonder what the second new ball will bring.

After 79 overs,India 328/2 ( Murali Vijay 146 , Virat Kohli (C) 132)

De Silva to Kohli. The first ball is full and the Indian captain brings out a ferocious sweep, but the fielder gets around at backward square leg and prevents the boundary. Only one. One more run off the next three balls. Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides the fifth ball of the over using the pace of the bowler. Three runs to third man. One run off the last ball for Vijay and that’s the 250-run partnership between these two. Vijay retains the strike. Six runs from that over.

After 78 overs,India 322/2 ( Murali Vijay 144 , Virat Kohli (C) 128)

Bowling change. Sandakan replaces Gamage. Bowling Chinaman. No run off the first three balls. Kohli pulls the next ball to long on for a single. The fifth ball is on the leg side. Vijay misses. Bit of an appeal from the wicket-keeper. Clearly not out. Vijay pushes the last ball to cover. No question of a run. Only a single from that over.

After 77 overs,India 321/2 ( Murali Vijay 144 , Virat Kohli (C) 127)

De Silva continues. Kohli gets one fine on the leg side. Some football skills from Sandakan on the fence to save two runs. Some hint of turn on the wicket on the very first day. Well, no surprise that. The Kotla pitch is known to support spin. Five runs from that over.

After 76 overs,India 316/2 ( Murali Vijay 143 , Virat Kohli (C) 123)

Gamage to Vijay. Single to point. After another single for Kohli, Vijay sends one past point to the fence. Nicely opened the face of the bat to collect a boundary. Kohli takes a single off the fourth ball to score 3,000 runs as captain in Tests. Eight runs off that over.

After 75 overs,India 308/2 ( Murali Vijay 137 , Virat Kohli (C) 121)

De Silva to Kohli. Bit of a heart-stopping moment in the first ball. Kohli is early on the shot. The ball goes in the air. That was not too far away from the fielder at cover and the bowler himself. The next ball again induces a leading edge. The bowler was interested for a bit. Kohli gets off the strike off the next ball. That was uppish too and not too far away from short mid-wicket. Vijay goes for a reverse sweep then. Hit on the thigh pad. Appeal. Not out given. A single off the last ball. Two runs from that over again.

It’s amazing that a part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya is getting away with so many overs without being punished. He is a straightforward off-spinner yet, in 8 overs has given away just 16 runs. The Indian batsmen Vijay and Kohlu have slowed down the scoring rate to the extent that they are looking extremely pedestrian in their efforts after reaching their centuries. Strange. Unless the strategy is to stay at the wicket when the second new ball is claimed it is difficult to understand the strategy.

After 74 overs,India 306/2 ( Murali Vijay 136 , Virat Kohli (C) 120)

Gamage to Vijay. One run to deep point. Kohli defends the next ball stoutly and then flicks one towards fine leg for a single. The next ball is short and in a good channel. Vijay sways out of the way. No runs off the next two balls. Two runs from that over.

After 73 overs,India 304/2 ( Murali Vijay 135 , Virat Kohli (C) 119)

Dhananjaya de Silva to Kohli. Rocks back and works the ball past mid-wicket for a single. Vijay plays the next three deliveries quietly. Pushes the next one towards short cover. No chance of a run though. Works the last ball towards mid-wicket using his wrists. Two runs are all that India get from that over.

Drinks are on the field.

After 72 overs,India 302/2 ( Murali Vijay 134 , Virat Kohli (C) 118)

Kohli inside edges one towards midwicket for a single. Sri Lanka appeal half-heartedly for an LBW. They think of a review but opt against it. But the impact was around leg stump and ball was sliding down the leg side. Vijay opens the bat face and dabs the final ball past slip for a single. Three off the over.

After 71 overs,India 299/2 ( Murali Vijay 132 , Virat Kohli (C) 117)

Five dots and a single off De Silva’s sixth over.

Kohli strangely has gone into a shell. He may be lining up for another double ton. Uncharacteristically played a sweep shot to the fence. But still looks quite subdued after registering that 20th century. Scoring rate has also come down of late.

After 70 overs,India 298/2 ( Murali Vijay 132 , Virat Kohli (C) 116)

Kohli begins the over with a boundary then tucks away the third ball behind square for a single. Vijay does the same albeit to to the off side. Kohli ends it with a whip past square leg. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Kohli kneels and sweeps one powerfully through square leg.

After 69 overs,India 291/2 ( Murali Vijay 131 , Virat Kohli (C) 110)

De Silva has bowled much better. Has managed to restrict the run-flow from one end. Only two came off this over.

After 68 overs,India 289/2 ( Murali Vijay 130 , Virat Kohli (C) 109)

Sandakan is back. A slip and short midwicket positioned. He starts with two dots but then concedes four singles.

After 67 overs,India 285/2 ( Murali Vijay 128 , Virat Kohli (C) 107)

Singles off the first two balls off De Silva’s over but he ends it with four dots.

After 66 overs,India 283/2 ( Murali Vijay 127 , Virat Kohli (C) 106)

Kohli gets the single which completes the 200-run stand between Vijay and him. Then Vijay scores a boundary and a single. Six off it.

FOUR! Vijay kneels and reverse paddles this to the third man fence.

After 65 overs,India 277/2 ( Murali Vijay 122 , Virat Kohli (C) 105)

De Silva comes back into the attack. Kohli on drives the first ball through midwicket for a single. In the air… but falls safe, Vijay’s inside edges a drive but fortunately for him the ball falls short of Chandimal at midwicket.

And the Delhi lad does it in style in front of his home crowd! Out goes the helmet, and up goes the arms, as Kohli brings up his 20th Test ton, his third this series and his first at Kotla! ‘Paisa vasool’ moment for the local fans!

After 64 overs,India 276/2 ( Murali Vijay 122 , Virat Kohli (C) 104)

Huge appeal! Perera floats it around leg, Kohli looks to clip it but gets rapped on the pads. Umpire says not out and Chandimal decides to review. The impact seems to be outside off, but that will not matter as it is pitching outside leg. Sri Lanka lose a review and the on-field decision stays. Sri Lanka’s misery with DRS continues. Kohli whips the fourth ball through midwicket and Vijay lap sweeps the final delivery for a brace.

Now that Kohli has registered his 20th Test century there should be a lot of fireworks in store for the rest of the day. Kohli clobbered 14 boundaries in his 110-delivery century. Vijay and he will really step on it now.

After 63 overs,India 273/2 ( Murali Vijay 120 , Virat Kohli (C) 103)

India start and end the 63rd over with two singles each. Four off the over.

After 62 overs,India 269/2 ( Murali Vijay 118 , Virat Kohli (C) 101)

Single. Double. Single. The pattern continues. Dot balls continue to evade Sri Lanka. Kohli eases the fifth ball down to long on for another run before Vijay does the same to covers. Six off the over.

CENTURY! Virat Kohli has slammed a ton in all the three matches in this series. Take a bow! Gets there with a rather easy single to midwicket. This is his quickest and 20th ton. The fans have enjoyed this ton, which is first at the Kotla.

After 61 overs,India 263/2 ( Murali Vijay 114 , Virat Kohli (C) 99)

Kohli moves to 98 with a run to covers. Vijay scores another boundary. Two short midwickets in place for Vijay and flicks it through the same area for a couple. Back of a length from Vijay, he keeps it down with a pat and calls Kohli across. Gamage bowls it very full, Kohli clips it through square leg and settles for a single. Vijay offers front foot defence on the sixth ball.

FOUR! To the right and to the left, Vijay is making the Lankan fielders dance to his tunes. Creams this delivery to the left of the sweeper cover fielder.

After 60 overs,India 254/2 ( Murali Vijay 107 , Virat Kohli (C) 97)

Perera darts it on the sticks, Kohli rocks back to defend. Punches the second ball through midwicket for a single. He is a hit away form his century now. Vijay gives back the strike to Kohli with a run to long on. Kohli does the same and reaches 97. Vijay ends the over with a boundary.

FOUR! Vijay goes leg side and drives this flighted delivery all along the ground through covers.

After 59 overs,India 247/2 ( Murali Vijay 102 , Virat Kohli (C) 95)

Gamage to bowl from the other end. Begins with a short of a length delivery, on off, Vijay is rock solid in defence. Ball two is on a good length and way outside off, Vijay has no reason to play at it. Drives the third ball but finds the mid off fielder. Lets go the fourth and fifth balls before blocking the final delivery.

After 58 overs,India 247/2 ( Murali Vijay 102 , Virat Kohli (C) 95)

Kohli nudges the third ball to deep midwicket to score the first run after tea. Vijay defends his first two balls; one on front foot, one off the back foot. Clips the sixth ball in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Right then, the players are back on the field. Kohli on strike, Perera with the ball. One slip in place.

Murali Vijay races away to his century and marks his second consecutive ton after recovering from injury with a what looks like to be footballer Antoine Greizmann’s signature celebration. He also dabs with Kohli. Kohli himself is one hit away from his third hundred of the series. It’s turning out to be the usual struggle for the Sri Lankans now as they go wicketless in the second session while conceding 129 runs. 

The turnout at Delhi, meanwhile, is a lot more than what we witnessed at Nagpur. Looks like the weekend out waited for the sun to come out before making their way to the stands.

After 57 overs,India 245/2 ( Murali Vijay 101 , Virat Kohli (C) 94)

As if shielding his captain, who is batting on 94,  Murali Vijay plays out the final over before tea.

After 57 overs,India 245/2 ( Murali Vijay 101 , Virat Kohli (C) 94)

Vijay has made the first opener’s slot his with successive tons. It was his 11th century. Nine came off the over.

FOUR! Short delivery and Kohli thrashes it through covers.

CENTURY! Consecutive centuries for Murali Vijay! He has made a splendid comeback. Gets there with a cracking drive to covers.

After 55 overs,India 236/2 ( Murali Vijay 96 , Virat Kohli (C) 90)

Two singles and a brace off Lakmal’s 13th over.

After 54 overs,India 232/2 ( Murali Vijay 95 , Virat Kohli (C) 87)

Sandakan seems to have found the correct line and length here. Kohli rotates the strike on the first ball. And then Sandakan tempts Vijay, who must be anxious as he is nearing his ton, with a flighted delivery outside off. Vijay shows patience and leaves it alone. But takes a single on fourth ball and Kohli hands him back the strike on fifth.

Kohli has perceptibly slowed down as he’s nearing his century, especially in the 80s. He’s eschewed the high-risk shots and is picking his runs in singles. To the extent that he is still in the 80s while Vijay is a stroke away from getting to his ton.

After 53 overs,India 229/2 ( Murali Vijay 94 , Virat Kohli (C) 85)

Lakmal is back into the attack. The 150-run stand between Vijay and Kohli comes up after Vijay nudges the first ball to mid on. Kohli clips ball two, which is on a length, through square leg for another single. Lakmal ends the over with four dots.

After 52 overs,India 227/2 ( Murali Vijay 93 , Virat Kohli (C) 84)

A fielder positioned at short leg. Vijay drives the second ball aerially and over Sandakan. Gets a single. Sandakan pings Kohli on pads. Sandakan appeals but the umpire is not interested. It would’ve missed leg easily. The over ends with a single, double and three.

After 51 overs,India 220/2 ( Murali Vijay 87 , Virat Kohli (C) 83)

Another three-run over from Dhananjaya. Sri Lanka haven’t threatend India at all after lunch.

The move to name stands after India stalwarts Bishan Singh Bedi and Mohinder Amarnath has been widely praised by the Indian cricket fraternity. Great way to honour them for their services to the cricket-mad nation indeed. 

Kohli and Vijay have put India in the driver’s seat with their partnership that is nearly worth 150 as I type. The former has played the aggressor so far, helping the hosts maintain a healthy run-rate, with Vijay accumulating runs at a steady pace from the other end.

After 50 overs,India 217/2 ( Murali Vijay 85 , Virat Kohli (C) 82)

Sandakan oversteps once again. Kohli picks a single to long on off it. These two are milking singles at will. Six of them in this over. Seven off the over.

Would be interesting to see if Kohli and Vijay can get to their respective centuries by the tea break. They are into the 80s and the remaining 30 minutes should be good enough at least for Kohli who is going at near run a ball. Terrific batting display by these two batsmen.

After 49 overs,India 212/2 ( Murali Vijay 82 , Virat Kohli (C) 80)

Dhananjaya de Silva comes into the attack. A run off his first ball and the last two deliveries. Three off it.

India’s 200 has come in the 46th over. 200 runs on the board well within 2 sessions on opening day is amazing for Test cricket. Why India could double that score by end of play if they have a full day’s play.

After 48 overs,India 207/2 ( Murali Vijay 81 , Virat Kohli (C) 77)

Vijay has been slightly skeptical against Sandakan. Sri Lanka should ensure that he faces Sandakan more than Kohli, who has been very comfortable against the wrist spinner. Two came off this over.

After 47 overs,India 205/2 ( Murali Vijay 80 , Virat Kohli (C) 76)

Kohli guides the second ball to deep point for a single. Ball three: Vijay flicks it firmly through midwicket and bags a brace. Then he taps the next ball towards covers. Single taken. Four off the over.

After 46 overs,India 201/2 ( Murali Vijay 77 , Virat Kohli (C) 75)

Lovely delivery from Sandakan. Bowls the chinaman to Vijay. The batsman goes back and plays for a googly only to get rapped on the back pad. Sri Lanka appeal but Llong is unmoved. Hawk-eye shows it clipped leg stump on umpire’s call so a review wouldn’t have helped Sri Lanka’s cause. The final two balls of the over go for two singles.

After 45 overs,India 199/2 ( Murali Vijay 76 , Virat Kohli (C) 74)

Perera continues. Perera flicks one through midwicket, then Vijay does the same on the third ball; both shots bring singles for India. Much better from Perera.

After 44 overs,India 197/2 ( Murali Vijay 75 , Virat Kohli (C) 73)

Vijay goes forward to a flighted delivery and edges his drive wide of slip. Collects three for that shot. Kohli collects a single on the second ball. Sandakan oversteps on the final delivery and concedes an extra. Five came off the over.

After 43 overs,India 192/2 ( Murali Vijay 72 , Virat Kohli (C) 72)

It must be hurting Sri Lankan fans to see Dilruwan Perera bowl. He is conceding at an economy of 4.79. A boundary and four singles off this over.

FOUR! Kohli is scoring a boundary almost every second over. Goes on the back foot and tucks one firmly behind square.

Sandakan is not a big spinner. He is emerging as a good left arm wrist spinner. Has a deceptive googly. But seems to be dragging down his chinaman. Leads to errors in length often. He beat Vijay a couple of times with googly that the batsman failed to read. He maybe a handful on turning tracks.

After 42 overs,India 184/2 ( Murali Vijay 70 , Virat Kohli (C) 66)

Kohli works the first ball through midwicket for a single. Vijay cuts the fifth ball to covers for a single. Final ball is very full and on leg, Kohli bunts it to long on.

Sometimes you get to see a batsman in complete control of a situation, almost looking invincible. At this stage, Virat Kohli is in that zone.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 2, 2017

After 41 overs,India 181/2 ( Murali Vijay 69 , Virat Kohli (C) 64)

The 100-run stand comes up between Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli. Yes, you  read it right. They have completed it in 121 balls. Kohli has done the bulk of scoring. Four off this over and umpires have signalled for drinks.

After 40 overs,India 177/2 ( Murali Vijay 66 , Virat Kohli (C) 63)

Sandakan reintroduced into the attack. Kohli punches his first ball to midwicket. Goes back and whips the second to deep square leg to bring Vijay on strike. Bowls the third one on sticks, Vijay goes forward and dead-bats it. An easy single to long on follows. There it is, the mandatory bad ball and Kohli whacks it through covers.

Murali Vijay will be overtaken pretty soon by Kohli. But he’s playing his role very well — that of keeping his end going and leaving the bulk of scoring to the aggressive Kohli. The skipper is dominating the partnership scoring at 2:1. The 3rd wicket stand has put India in a terrific position on day 1 itself.

FOUR! “Common Kohli, hit me,” Sandakan seems to say. A short ball, outside off and Kohli punches it to the vacant cover fence.

After 39 overs,India 171/2 ( Murali Vijay 65 , Virat Kohli (C) 58)

Vijay clips the third ball to fine leg for a single. Chandimal has deployed a silly mid on for Kohli. Gamage bowls another delivery on the hips and Kohli clips it to fine leg for a single. Vijay ends the over with a couple to backward square leg.

Kohli has been solid so far in the innings, taking on the Lankan pace attack head on and attacking all over the ground, much like his knock at Nagpur. What a way for him to get to his half-century. The three-figure mark awaits him now.

After 38 overs,India 167/2 ( Murali Vijay 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 57)

Virat Kohli drives the first ball to long on for a single. Vijay then eases the fourth ball through mid off for another run. Two off the over.

After 37 overs,India 165/2 ( Murali Vijay 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 56)

Kohli’s batting today has been as fluent as it gets. Collects 13 off the over. He is toying with the bowling, really.

FOUR! Kohli rides the bounce and pulls it wide of mid on.

With Kohli at the wicket, the scoring rate was bound to go up. But India are going at a hectic 4.5 runs an over. His 51 has come in only 52 balls. Amazing stats for an opening day of a Test.  Kohli is in the form of his life.

Most 50-plus scores by Indian captains in a calendar year in international cricket:

20 – VIRAT KOHLI, 2017*
19 – Rahul Dravid, 2006 
17 – Sourav Ganguly, 2002
15 – MS Dhoni, 2009

FIFTY! Kohli has reached his half century without breaking a sweat. Gets there with a boundary to fine leg.

FOUR! Extraordinary! Kohli goes forward and creams a length ball through covers.

After 36 overs,India 152/2 ( Murali Vijay 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 43)

Wonder if its time for Sri Lanka to introduce Dhananjaya De Silva into the attack. His career economy isn’t that great but trying him instead of Dilruwan Perera. Four off his 11th over.

Virat Kohli becomes the fastest batsman to score 16,000 runs in international cricket – in 350 innings.The previous fastest was Hashim Amla who achieved the same feat in 363 innings.

After 35 overs,India 148/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 42)

A couple of good overs from Gamage. He hasn’t conceded in his current spell yet.

After 34 overs,India 148/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 42)

Perera continues to leak runs. Nine came off his 10th over.

FOUR! Plays it late! Kohli uses the pace of the delivery and guides it past the diving slip fielder.

FOUR! Too full and outside off, Kohli goes forward and creams it through covers.

After 33 overs,India 139/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

Gamage replaces Lakmal and bowls a maiden to Vijay. Sri Lanka need more of these. Lots of them, actually.

After 32 overs,India 139/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

Both Vijay and Kohli are batting at a good strike rate. They are not allowing Sri Lanka to build pressure. Just a boundary off Dilruwan’s ninth.

FOUR! Perera goes too full and Kohli thrashes it past the bowler. Excellent shot!

After 31 overs,India 135/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 29)

The over starts with a boundary. After the second ball, umpire Nigel Llong walks up to Samarawickrama and asks him he is fine (he was hit on the head in the last over). The physio comes out and Samarawickrama signals that he is having concussion issues. He walks off and Shanaka comes on for him. Kohli scores a boundary off the third ball before taking a single on the sixth delivery.

Kohli’s 5000-run mark a big moment in Indian cricket. Joins a list of big-time achievers. Kohli is batting in this Test with a scoring rate closer to ODIs. Batting on 33 off 37 balls!

The Kohli chants return at the Kotla as the Indian skipper crosses the 5,000 run milestone. It has been a superb run for the Delhi lad in the recent months, and it has been raining milestones for him in the process. This is yet another feather in his cap.

Meanwhile, the sun is out, the visibility is a lot better around here, and it should only get easier for the batsmen from here.

Least innings to score 5000 Test runs among Indians: 

95 – Sunil Gavaskar 
98 – Virender Sehwag 
103 – Sachin Tendulkar 
105 – VIRAT KOHLI*
108 – Rahul Dravid

FOUR! 5000 Test runs for Virat Kohli! Gets there with one of his favourite shot: a cover drive.

FOUR! Played it ever so late. Frankly it was a bad ball, short and wide and Kohli cuts it through covers.

After 30 overs,India 126/2 ( Murali Vijay 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Drifts it down the leg side, Vijay defends it. Vijay punches the third ball down the ground for a single. Kohli, instantly, works the fourth ball to long on to hand back the strike to Vijay. Perera keeps it tight and darts one on the sticks, Vijay defends it back to the bowler. Ouch! Vijay whips the sixth ball straight towards Sadeera, who takes a blow on his helmet grille.

After 29 overs,India 124/2 ( Murali Vijay 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

Lakmal to bowl from the other end. Vijay greets with a boundary and then shoulders his arms to the second delivery. Vijay wrists the third ball, which is full, in front of mid on for a single. Ball four is slightly full and outside off, Kohli guides it past gully and third slip for a brace. Seven came off the over.

FOUR! Glorious! Lakmal bowls it on the pads and Vijay clips it perfectly through midwicket. Effortless!

After 28 overs,India 117/2 ( Murali Vijay 52 , Virat Kohli (C) 17)

Vijay bunts the first ball back to Dilruwan. Taps ball two to point and looks for a single. Kohli says no. Prods forward and defends the next ball. Clips the fourth one to midwicket. Vijay rocks back and eases the fifth delivery to long on for a single. Kohli nudges the sixth ball towards forward short leg.

Welcome back for the second session. Vijay and Kohli have made their way out to the centre. Dilruwan Perera to bowl the first over after lunch.

Fine half-century for Vijay, as he gets to the milestone with five overthrows, which is followed by standing ovation. He has done what Dhawan or Pujara couldn’t do this morning — convert a decent start into a milestone. Has been a decent session for the Indians, with a 116 coming off 27 overs. The crowd, meanwhile, is eager to watch Kohli raise his bat to the crowd.

India might rue the two wickets they have lost but will still believe they won the session #INDvSL

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 2, 2017

Lunch, Day 1

Vijay has made a sedate start to the Test, garnering at an average of 25 runs per hour. His knock of 51 in 67 balls sets up the innings nicely for a post-lunch push. India at 116 for 2 are on top, despite the loss of Dhawan and Pujara. Skipper Kohli too looks in ominous touch.

After 27 overs,India 116/2 ( Murali Vijay 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 17)

Last over before lunch. Kohli gets off strike instantly with a single to point. Vijay does the same on the second ball and the Lankan fielder senses a run out opportunity. Hits the stumps, Vijay had made his ground and the ball rolls away to the fence. Vijay collects five runs and raises his fifty. Plays out the rest of the over. Lunch taken!

FIFTY! Thanks to an unnecessary throw from the fielder, Vijay was gifted four extra runs, which brings up his half century. His 16th in Tests. Has been quite aggressive and has hardly given Sri Lanka a chance.

After 26 overs,India 110/2 ( Murali Vijay 46 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Much better start from Sandakan. Only a single from his first four balls but tempts Kohli to play a drive on the fifth ball and the Indian captain doesn’t refuse. Collects his third boundary and retains the strike with a dab to cover-point.

FOUR! Sandakan gives it flight and keeps it outside off. What does Kohli do? Leans forward and drives it to the right of sweeper cover.

Sri Lanka might have taken a couple of wickets to stay encouraged. But for those two wickets, conceding a run rate of over 4 at the start of a Test could have been demoralising. India, despite losing the two wickets have made over 100 runs in the first session. Clearly, India are the dominant team and performing as such.

After 25 overs,India 104/2 ( Murali Vijay 45 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Lakmal comes back for a short burst. Short of a length, good length, full, full, fuller. He is asking Kohli to play but has to improve his line. Brings back the final ball and Kohli misses it to get hit on the pads. Lakmal appeals but the impact was outside off.

After 24 overs,India 104/2 ( Murali Vijay 45 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Sandakan not able to put Indian batsmen under any kind of pressure. Five singles and a boundary off the over. It is too early into the match but if this trend continues, Sri Lanka will have to toil a lot. They are missing a bowler who could tie one end up.

FOUR! The outfield is lighting quick but was played brilliantly by Kohli. Got a big stride forward and clipped it crisply through midwicket.

After 23 overs,India 95/2 ( Murali Vijay 43 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Vijay starts the over with a boundary. But Gamage swings back the second ball and Vijay inside edges it onto his pads. He has looked in great touch today. Scores his seventh four on the fifth ball. Eight off the over. India’s run rate is over four, Sri Lanka must look to bring it down.

FOUR! Aah, Vijay is having a ball out there. Gets inside the line and clips one through midwicket. Two fielders chased it but to no avail.

FOUR! Sweetly timed! Vijay leans forward and caresses one through covers.

After 22 overs,India 87/2 ( Murali Vijay 35 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Sandakan continues. Vijay flicks the second ball through square leg and runs two. Collects another brace on the fourth ball, albeit to the off side. Whips the final ball off his back foot in front of square on the leg side for a single.

After 21 overs,India 82/2 ( Murali Vijay 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Pujara’s wicket will boost Sri Lanka. It was a well thought-out move by Chandimal and he should be proud of himself. Kohli, though, remains undeterred. Gets off the mark with a boundary.

What a way to go for Pujara. He’s very strong off his legs. Yet the Lankans turned that into a trap. Uppish leg glance taken by the lone leg slip fielder placed just for that. Pujara would have thought that fielder would be stationed for a bouncer when it is fended off.  Good catch.

FOUR! Lovely stroke from the Indian captain. It was full and swinging in, Kohli flicked it beautifully through midwicket.

Lanka’s strategy seems to be to use spin at one end and pace at the other. Left-arm wrist spinner Sandakan replaces off-spinner Dilruwan Perera at one end. Pace at the other end hasn’t stopped India from going at near 4 runs an over.

OUT! The plan has worked! Gamage dismisses Pujara for 23. Sri Lanka must be credited for this wicket, they had set the trap in advance. Gamage pitched this on a shortish length, Pujara glanced it through the air and Samarawickrama grabs it comfortably at leg gully.

After 20 overs,India 78/1 ( Murali Vijay 30 , Cheteshwar Pujara 23)

Wrist spin! Sandakan into the attack. Has a slip and a forward short leg in place. Can he provide some control to his captain? Umm… concedes a boundary off his second ball. Oversteps the next ball and allows a single. Bowls three consecutive dots then. Finishes the over by flighting one around off, Pujara drives it to mid off.

FOUR! Short and outside off, Pujara flat-bats it down the ground.

After 19 overs,India 72/1 ( Murali Vijay 30 , Cheteshwar Pujara 18)

Close! Vijay goes for an expansive drive but inside edges it to fine leg. One run added to the total. Gamage bowls a bumper, Pujara drops his wrists and sways away from the line. Another bouncer follows and Pujara allows Dickwella to do his work. The fifth ball is full and outside off, Pujara dispatches it to the long off fence. Che keeps the strike with a single behind square on the final delivery.

After 19 overs,India 72/1 ( Murali Vijay 30 , Cheteshwar Pujara 18)

Close! Vijay goes for an expansive drive but inside edges it to fine leg. One run added to the total. Gamage bowls a bumper, Pujara drops his wrists and sways away from the line. Another bouncer follows and Pujara allows Dickwella to do his work. The fifth ball is full and outside off, Pujara dispatches it to the long off fence. Che keeps the strike with a single behind square on the final delivery.

FOUR! Gamage overpitches and Pujara bunts it down the ground.

After 18 overs,India 66/1 ( Murali Vijay 29 , Cheteshwar Pujara 13)

India have consciously attacked Dilruwan Perera consistently. The off spinner concedes nine off his sixth over.

FOUR! Similar shot! The chasing fielder had no chance whatsoever. Pujara slips it to the deep square leg fence.

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara are batsmen in a similar mould. Both are defensive to start with. They play straight and leave the ball outside the line pretty well. Both are unhurried. Vijay, though, breaks out every now and then and is thus a little more aggressive. But scoring rate would be slower with both out there in the middle.

FOUR! Pujara rocks back, clears his front leg and whips it to the backward square leg fence.

After 17 overs,India 57/1 ( Murali Vijay 28 , Cheteshwar Pujara 5)

Pujara once again taking time. Plays out a maiden. But Sri Lanka changed their plans on the fifth ball. Positioned a gully. Remember they had used similar tactics in Kolkata and Nagpur but Pujara hardly lost his patience. Will that change today?

After 16 overs,India 57/1 ( Murali Vijay 28 , Cheteshwar Pujara 5)

Vijay eases down the first ball to long on for a single. Pujara flicks the second ball but the midwicket makes a sharp save. Goes on his back foot, wanting to cut the fifth ball, but mistimes it onto his pitch. Clips the sixth delivery through midwicket for another single.

After 15 overs,India 55/1 ( Murali Vijay 27 , Cheteshwar Pujara 4)

Gamage comes back. After leaving two balls carefully, Pujara goes for a loose cut shot but misses. Offers no shot to the next two deliveries. Applies the same approach on the final ball.

After 14 overs,India 55/1 ( Murali Vijay 27 , Cheteshwar Pujara 4)

Perera bowls it flat and on leg, Vijay tucks it in front of square on the leg side for a single. Pujara then plays three strokes straight to the fielders. Clips the fifth to short midwicket. Rocks back and punches the final ball through covers. Sandakan chases and cuts it off. Pujara though runs three.

Drinks taken!

After 13 overs,India 51/1 ( Murali Vijay 26 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Vijay pushes the first ball to covers and takes a sharp single. On the fourth delivery, Pujara loses his balance while tucking it behind square. Could’ve been hit wicket easily. Checks his spikes afterwards. Vijay gets on his toes and works the last ball around. Single taken. India have crossed the 50-run mark.

After 12 overs,India 48/1 ( Murali Vijay 24 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Dilruwan might have picked up a wicket but his economy will concern Sri Lanka. He is leaking runs. Five came off this over. His figures right now: 3-0-18-1.

FOUR! Dilruwan concedes yet another boundary. Vijay uses his feet and drives it down the ground.

The last person losing a shoe while going for a ball was Cinderella. Now Lakmal too loses it while going for the skied ball. But he latched on to the ball to Dilruwan Perera’s relief. Gets the off-spinner his 100th test wicket.

After 11 overs,India 43/1 ( Murali Vijay 19 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

The pair of Vijay and Pujara are at the crease. Breaking this partnership will vital for Sri Lanka and they must be aware. Just a run off the over, Vijay taps it towards covers for a single.

For all the talk of a green top, a spinner has been the one to get the breakthrough. Introduced within the first hour of the Test in only the 8th over, off-spinner  Dilruwan Pereira accounted for Dhawan in the 10th over, caught top-edging a sweep to square leg. Lanka using a spinner this early would say a lot of the condition of the pitch as well as Sri Lanka’s fast bowling resources. In any case Dhawan is the loser on this occasion, getting dismissed on a seemingly flat track.

After 10 overs,India 42/1 ( Murali Vijay 18 , )

India once again make a positive start against Dilruwan Perera. Dhawan scores a boundary. Then he bunts the third ball to mid on for a single. Vijay immidiately hands back the strike. Dilruwan bags his 100th Test wicket, it was a gift really from Dhawan. Cheteshwar Pujara strolls out at the centre.

OUT! Dhawan throws it away! A wicket out of nowhere. This dismissal is as soft as it gets. Dhawan miscues an innocuous off-break and Lakmal, after losing his shoe, pouches it safely in the deep. He affords a smile so do Sri Lanka but Dhawan must be livid with himself. He perishes for 23.

FOUR! Perera flights Dhawan and the southpaw cuts it late to the third man fence.

After 9 overs,India 36/0 ( Murali Vijay 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 18)

Nine overs have been bowled. Only one came off this over.

Early indications are not very impressive about this pitch. The bounce seems much lower than expected. The ball is not coming on to the bat either, despite the new ball. Could become quicker later on in the Test. But that needs to be seen.

After 8 overs,India 35/0 ( Murali Vijay 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 17)

Dhawan whips the first ball through square leg for a single. Vijay wrists the second behind square for another single. Then Dhawan feasts on a length ball and punches one through cover-point. Immediately gets off the strike with a pat to point. This has been a busy over for the openers. Seven off it.

FOUR! Dhawan Waits for the delivery on the back foot and punches it through cover-point.

First bowling change. Dilruwan Perera comes into the attack. He was whacked all around the park in Nagpur. How will he respond? Let’s find out.

After 7 overs,India 28/0 ( Murali Vijay 16 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Dhawan looks to play a flick on the second ball but gets rapped on the front pad. Anyways, he calls Vijay across. Vijay scores his fourth boundary. He is yet to take a single. Plays out the final four balls.

FOUR! Good ball! Lakmal bangs it short and ball jags away, Vijay plays it soft hands and edges it past the slip cordon.

Dhawan and Vijay timing their strokes early in the innings. Wonderful to see the shots racing to the fence. Good start to the innings these 6 overs.

After 6 overs,India 23/0 ( Murali Vijay 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

So far, so good for India. No swing or seam movement on offer so far. Sri Lanka need to change their plans. Five off the over.

FOUR! Gamage tempts Dhawan with a sixth stump line and Dhawan obliges. Creams it firmly through covers.

After 5 overs,India 18/0 ( Murali Vijay 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 6)

Lakmal angles one on a length and outside off, Dhawan leaves it alone. Two more similar deliveries follow and Dhawan’s approach doesn’t change. Sri Lanka’s lengths have been on the mark this morning but they have to improve their lines. Another delivery in the fifth stump line, Lakaml gives Dhawan no reason to play at it. The fifth ball is on a shorter length and Dhawan punches it to the off side. Dhawan then takes a single to mid on to retain the strike.

After 4 overs,India 17/0 ( Murali Vijay 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 5)

Gamage pitches it up and outside off, Vijay offers no shot. Vijay’s judgement outside off is brilliant. Leaves two more deliveries confidently. He taps the fourth ball to off side. Ball five goes down the leg side and Vijay has nothing to do with it. Gamage ends it with a yorker, but Vijay digs it out.

After 3 overs,India 17/0 ( Murali Vijay 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 5)

Width on offer and Dhawan accepts it gleefully, creams it through covers. Lakmal changes his angle the next ball. Bowls it from around the wicket and on the sticks, Dhawan offers front foot defence. Slashed…. but missed! The southpaw tries to cut a shortish delivery but connects thin air. Lakmal ends the over with three more dots. Four off the over.

India need Murali Vijay to come good again. He’s a wonderful opening batsman with lovely temperament and technique. He can blunt fast bowlers with his batting. A great asset to have in a team out to make its mark. He’s also a very good timer of the ball. So isn’t strokeless.

FOUR! On a length and outside off, Dhawan leans forward and drives it through covers.

After 2 overs,India 13/0 ( Murali Vijay 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 1)

Gamage starts with a length ball down the leg side. Ball two is back of a length and outside off, Dhawan punches it to covers for a single. Vijay is dealing in boundaries; scores his third. Shoulders his arms to the fourth ball and opts against a shot on the fifth delivery too. Rides the bounce of the sixth ball and keeps it down carefully.

FOUR! Sumptuous! Vijay stands in his crease and pushes a length ball down the ground. Outstanding timing.

India bring back the left-right opening batting combination. This leaves it to the opposition new ball bowlers to adjust the line to the left and right batsman. Some pressure on bowlers for sure.

After 1 overs,India 8/0 ( Murali Vijay 8 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Three slips and a gully in place. Jeez, the visibility is low, it is quite hazy. Lakmal initiates his over with a full ball, which swings away, Vijay opens the face of the bat and guides it to the off side. Seams the second ball up and Vijay prodes forward in defence. Vijay scores back-to-back boundaries. Leaves the fifth ball alone and defends the sixth towards mid on.

FOUR! Bad ball. Lakmal strays onto the pads and Vijay tickles it fine.

One could hear the loud roar from outside the Kotla as India won the toss and opted to bat first, which is what any team would have done on a pitch that is expected to deteriorate in a couple of days. The Indians have opted to rotate both their openers and pacers, keeping bigger challenges in mind, while a couple of heads did roll in the Sri Lankan camp. 

And so begins the final Test of what has been a successful home season for the Indians. Let’s sit back and watch it unfold. 

FOUR! First runs of the day. Vijay opens the bat face and guides it between gully and point for a boundary to third man fence.

First, Sri Lanka Matha then Jana Gana Mana; the national anthems have been sung. Vijay and local boy Dhawan saunter out at the centre. Lakmal to begin the proceedings for the Lankans. Here we go…..

LIVE, Australia vs England, 2nd Test, Day 1 in Adelaide, Ashes 2017 Scores and Updates: England opt to bowl firsthttp://www.firstpost.com

All set! #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/iHbqNTU07o

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 2, 2017

Sri Lanka: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Gamage

Sri Lanka’s batting has been a let down. They have not put enough runs on the board to challenge  India. In fact, their batting is further weakened for this Test with the absence of Rangana Herath. He did not find success with the ball against India. But he was a handy tail-end batsman. Hopefully, some of the other more accomplished batsmen will give a better account of themselves and ensure that this Test is a contest.

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma

TOSS: India win the toss and opt to bat first. “First session will offer something to bowlers, but we want to challenge ourselves,” says Kohli about the decision.

Our reporter Amit Banerjee previews the first day of the third Test between Indian Cricket Team and Sri Lanka Cricket from outside the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. 

If the batsmen apply themselves, they will be able to score runs. There is a covering of grass but it won’t bother good opening batsmen. It is definitely bat first pitch, say Sunil Gavaskar and Russel Arnold at the pitch report.

Wonder how Delhi’s infamous winter smog will work on the Test. Will there be long breaks from play owing to bad light? Ironically the day-night Pink Ball Ashes Test will be on simultaneously at around the same playing hours in Australia. They would be making use of floodlights later in the day to get over the absence of daylight. At the Kotla, even if the lights are switched on, it won’t be possible to play if the sky darkens. Something to do with ball colour for sure.

India vs Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli and Co well-placed to end successful home Test season with win against depleted visitorshttp://www.firstpost.com

Delhi is the last stop for the Indian Test team before they embark on their South African sojourn. So it’s all about last minute tweaking to identify the ideal mix for the tough tour. One person who needs to work himself into form and show that he still has it in him to serve Indian cricket is middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane. He has had a disappointing run for the last few matches and if India want to stick to their five batsmen-1 wicket-keeper cum batsman formula then Rahane needs to show a lot more consistency to earn the right to be among the 5 batsmen.

Shikhar  Dhawan, whose favourite bowling attack is the Lankan one, will most probably be back in the playing eleven. Thus, unless skipper Kohli prefers to bat one of the other openers, Murali Vinay or KL Rahul, in the middle order, Rahane might get another chance to get back to form. The Delhi pitch might have a tinge of green, in keeping with the demands of the Indian team. But that would probably help the bowlers more than the batsmen.

Sri Lanka, of course, are India’s favourite whipping boys of late and the emphatic dominance over them in the two series, in Lanka and here, should continue. Kohli and his team are on top of their game at the moment and will strive to ensure that they keep winning. After all winning is a habit and nothing can be more satisfying before a tough tour than grabbing the current series 2-0.

India v Sri Lanka: From Ajinkya Rahane’s middling form to visitors’ middle-order woes, numbers you need to know ahead of third Testhttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the India vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test taking place at Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi. India are 1-0 up in the series and they would like to maintain their domination against the Lankans in New Delhi too. 

We will bring you all the live updates from the match so keep checking our blog and make sure you don’t miss anything.