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Colombo: Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews struck his sixth test century but India took command on the third day of the second test at P Sara Oval on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_2404188” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Ajinkya Rahane and Murali Vijay. Getty Images.[/caption] After a wicketless first session, the touring side dismissed the last seven batsmen for 65 runs to bowl Sri Lanka out for 306 and take an 87-run first innings lead. India then lost opener Lokesh Rahul to the fifth ball of their second innings before Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane guided them to 70 for one at the close of play, an advantage of 157 runs. Vijay was unbeaten on 39 while Rahane was 28 not out after both survived loud lbw appeals. Starting the day on 140 for three, Mathews (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (62) enjoyed a productive morning session in Sri Lankan hero Kumar Sangakkara’s farewell match. The pair added 84 runs in the session without being separated, much to the frustration of India who trail 1-0 in the three-match series. Ishant Sharma struck two big blows after lunch to expose Sri Lanka’s late order before leg-spinner Amit Mishra polished off the tail with four for 43. Paceman Ishant ended a 127-run stand by removing Thirimanne although the batsman looked unhappy with the caught-behind decision. He also got rid of Dinesh Chandimal for 11 but Mathews brought up his century with a reverse-swept four off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Mathews faced 167 balls in a patient knock, hitting 12 boundaries in a display of controlled aggression, before becoming Stuart Binny’s first test victim. Mishra then removed Dhammika Prasad for five in the next over and also got rid of Jehan Mubarak for 22 and Tharindu Kaushal for six. REUTERS
IND v SL, 2nd Test Day 4 as it happened: Farewell to Sanga as SL stutter after Rahane ton
Live updates from Day 4 in Colombo between India and Sri Lanka
 "IND v SL, 2nd Test Day 4 as it happened: Farewell to Sanga as SL stutter after Rahane ton")
This day will forever be remembered as the one where Kumar Sangakkara called it quits on a glittering international career. Ashwin continued to torment him from around the wicket and became the only bowler to dismiss Sanga for four consecutive times. But in the bigger picture, this wouldn’t take away from what has been a remarkable career on and off the field for Sanga – over 12,000 Test runs, 38 hundreds, 11 double-hundreds and countless hearts won.
On that note, it’s goodbye from us here at Firstpost. Tune in tomorrow morning for what promises to be another fascinating day’s play. Can Sri Lanka truly mark the beginning of the post-Sangakkara era with a rear-guard revival? Let’s find out.
The man has spoken (tweeted)
Thank you for all the love. Been my privilege to play for my country and in front of all the fans.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 23, 2015
At stumps on Day-4, SL are 72-2 (need 341 runs to win). Here's the scorecard: http://t.co/qNSZfQAxAu #SLvsIND pic.twitter.com/ATSKFEZLHZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2015
After 21 overs SL 72/2 (Karunaratne 24, Mathews 21)
Mathews starts with a single to deep-point and then five dot balls to Karunaratne brings an end to the day’s play – a day that fully belonged to India.
STUMPS in Colombo.
The celebrations were immediately followed by realisation of what had just happened – a moment in history.
When the opposition forms a guard of honour for you, you know the spirit of our game is still alive. #India #Sangakkara #SLvs Ind
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 23, 2015
#ThankYouSanga pic.twitter.com/3kkuRQkatm
— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2015
The celebrations were immediately followed by realisation of what had just happened – a moment in history.
When the opposition forms a guard of honour for you, you know the spirit of our game is still alive. #India #Sangakkara #SLvs Ind
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 23, 2015
Kumar Sangakkara vs R Ashwin:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) August 23, 2015
Balls faced-56
Runs scored-23
Dismissals-4
Avg-5.75
SR-41.07#SLvIND #INDvSL #ThankYouSanga
After 20 overs SL 71/2 (Karunaratne 24, Mathews 20)
Karuna has had enough with being tied down by Ashwin. Three boundaries in that over, all three great shots – no tentativeness towards the end of the day’s play. Two off them were driven straight back behind Ashwin, which was sandwiched was by an uppish sweep to square leg.
Three runs in the following over from Mishra – three singles.
Last over of the day and it’ll be Ishant. Will he pull a Mathews-to-Rohit?
Fair point, but I think their biggest test will be how they perform tomorrow.
Indian spinners have been outstanding this series. Whatever may the outcome be, this augurs well for the future. #SLvsInd
— Narayanan S (@narayanantweaks) August 23, 2015
After 18 overs SL 56/2 (Karunaratne 12, Mathews 20)
Another maiden from Ashwin to Karunaratne are India are running through the overs here. Fifth maiden for the Chennai man. There was a big appeal for LBW in that over as Ashwin brought out the wrong-un (carrom ball? not sure) that hit Karuna on the back foot but all three stumps were seen at point of impact. Definitely missing leg.
Mishra’s over goes for two runs – as Mathews drives well to deep cover off a flighted ball. Five dot balls. Can’t remember Mishra bowling a googly to the right hander yet.
From the best of mates…
It wasn't to be in this match but what he was for SL cricket is some thing that you can't take away. Very proud of you mate. @KumarSanga2
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 23, 2015
After 16 overs SL 54/2 (Karunaratne 12, Mathews 18)
Ashwin bowls a maiden to Karunaratne – it’ll be crucial for India to build pressure. Followed by another maiden from Mishra to Mathews.
Previous over saw Mishra being cut by Mathews off a short and wide ball, which seems to have sparked an argument between Kohli and Mishra about field placements. Difficult to tell what went down there., but Aakash Chopra on air, thinks its Mishra wanting fielders for the bad balls while Virat disagrees.
Cheeky stat.
Last 9 Test inns:
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 23, 2015
Kumar Sangakkara: 202 runs, av 22.44 #IndvSL
Michael Clarke: 132 runs, av 16.50 #Ashes
Chris Rogers: 480 runs, av 60.00
After 14 overs SL 54/2 (Karunaratne 12, Mathews 18)
Mishra into the attack and gets some turn straight away in his first couple of overs. Ashwin continues from the other end. Sri Lanka doing well not to get into a shell and taking the attack when bad balls are on offer.
After 11 overs SL 45/2 (Karunaratne 10, Mathews 11)
Meanwhile, there is actual cricket going on. Mathews is off to a quick start as he gets 11 from his first 11 balls – two boundaries included. First a streaky outside edge from Yadav and then a sweep off Ashwin. 30 minutes left for day’s play.
The best tribute yet on Twitter..
Batting is so fickle. There he was, unfurling a gorgeous straight drive in the last over, and now he is gone, forever from Tests.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) August 23, 2015
Apologies for the slowness in updates – I’m still recovering from seeing Sanga walk off for one last time. It was a truly emotional moment as he walked away with Indian players patting him in the back and an elongated handshake with Ashwin — his tormentor in chief this farewell series.
Walking off the park for one last time. No fairy tale end to his career, but the career itself was a fairy tale, some would say. #ThankYouSanga
After 8 overs SL 28/1 (Karunaratne 4, Sangakkara 18)
Another probing maiden from Ashwin to Dimuth, who’s still tentative. Attacking fields this innings, with 3 fielders around the bat and no deep-point / long-off/long-on.
Ishant continues over the wicket to Sangakkara. Sanga plays a beautiful, beautiful straight drive for four.
After 6 overs SL 22/1 (Karunaratne 3, Sangakkara 13)
Ashwin bowls over the wicket to Karuna and its a probing maiden over. The opener is looking very tentative out there and almost perished there trying to play Ashwin against the turn, resulting leading edge falling short of deep-ish mid-off.
Ishant from the other end as Sanga seems to be getting into his groove – must be about time the distractions are out of his mind. A booming cover drive on the up is hit straight to the fielder but a flick off his hips races to the square leg boundary. Ishant over-steps in that over.
Banter!
Binny’s sportsmanship unmatched here. Gives Sanga a free boundary. Wonderful. #ThankYouStuart
— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) August 23, 2015
Ashwin to Sanga and he steps out straight away, flicks past midwicket for a couple. Single off the last ball to keep strike.
Ishant from the other end – and India gift him his first boundary as an overthrow goes to the boundary for four. Another push to fine leg gets him two before an almighty mix-up between the batsmen. Sangakkara pushes it to mid-on and takes off for a single, which might not have been there had Ashwin gathered the ball. He runs back in time thanks to the misfield.
Eventful (and definitely nervous start to the innings for Sanga)
After 4 overs SL 17/1 (Karunaratne 3, Sangakkara 9)
Out walks Kumar Sangakkara to bat for the last time in his career – Jonty says on air he cannot “imagine how Sanga can bat with all these emotions”. Guard of honur, firecrackers, the whole nine yards.
Goosebumps!
After 2 overs SL 6/0 (Silva 0, Karunaratne 2)
Yadav starts with a beautiful full swinging delivery just outside off to the left-handed Karunaratne, and he drives and misses. Well gathered by Rahul. A few more angled balls are pushed and prodded at before Yadav strays on the pad which goes for leg byes four.
Ashwin continues.
After 1 over SL 0/0 (Silva 0, Karunaratne 0)
Ashwin starts off over the wicket to the right hander and Kaushal Silva watchfully plays out six forward defensive shots. Rahul looking focused.
Expectedly, Umesh Yadav from the other end.
More short balls from Dhammika Prasad – more pulls, more misses, more edges as Virat watches on from the balcony in his whites.
And there’s the call-back from the captain. India have declared, ladies and gentlemen. About 27 overs left or 90 minutes, light permitting.
I’d bet this is the last over..
Methinks batting further is becoming quite purposeless...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 23, 2015
After 90 overs India 320/8 (Saha 11, Yadav 1)
Another two-run over as Chameera peppers Yadav and Saha with the short balls – swings and misses from both batsmen.
Prasad to continue..
Saha limping is a bad sign though. Not sure if having him out there to cushion a huge lead is worth missing him from keeping
If he is limping like this, and has to keep wickets after this with a strained hamstring, can safely say Saha is out of third Test. #SLvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) August 23, 2015
One thing I do agree however is if they are out there batting, might as well be swinging instead of ducking and blocking. Sri Lanka must be happy at the moment. Kohli is going to be grilled in the presser for sure.
Lost count of no. of times I heard "fearless mindset" between Galle n this match. This is not it. Lanka happy to let things go. #SLvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) August 23, 2015
OUT! Mishra guides a short ball on the ribs to the wide leg gully – Prasad gets another wicket. Yadav walks out, no close up of Kohli waving hands yet
After 89 overs India 318/8 (Saha 10, Yadav 0)
Take it a little easy, fellas. By that same logic 105 overs and 115 overs shouldn’t make too much of a difference. As I said earlier, there is still 30 overs left in the day
Still no sign of declaration. The point here is if you can't defend 380, then there are chances you won't 400 either. #SLvIND
— Jaspreet Singh (@JaspritSingh09) August 23, 2015
After 88 overs India 316/7 (Mishra 10, Saha 9)
Saha is out there in IPL mode. A full blooded heave-ho over midwicket off Chameera for four takes the lead past 400.
And India continue to bat as Twitterati beging to lose their patience a little bit..
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