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DAY 1 REPORT: India recover to post 319-6 after Rahul’s ton Colombo, Sri Lanka: Opener Lokesh Rahul struck his second test century and combined with skipper Virat Kohli to help India recover from a shaky start and reach 319 for six at stumps on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Dhammika Prasad’s early burst reduced India to 12-2 in the fifth over as the visitors’ decision to bat first in Sri Lankan batting stalwart Kumar Sangakkara’s farewell test had threatened to backfire. [caption id=“attachment_2401728” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Lokesh Rahul played an assured knock to reach his second Test hundred. AP[/caption] Dropped on 11, Rahul (108) teamed up with Kohli (78) to take the fight back to the hosts with a 164-run third wicket partnership providing the bedrock of their innings. Batting at number five, Rohit Sharma shrugged off early discomforts to hit three sixes and five boundaries in a fluent 79 before being dismissed by Angelo Mathews in the 88th over. His partner in a 52-run stand Wriddhiman Saha was batting on 19 at the close. Paceman Prasad jolted India early, trapping Murali Vijay leg before wicket and getting Ajinkya Rahane, promoted to number three, caught in the slips. India could have slumped to 20-3 but Jehan Mubarak spilled Rahul at gully off Dushmantha Chameera with the batsman on 11. It proved costly as Rahul, who struck his maiden test century in Australia earlier this year, went on to compile his second hundred in 180 balls. Kohli signalled his positive intent by stepping out of his crease to hit Herath, who destroyed India in the second innings of the opening test, over his head for the first six of the innings. The visitors seemed determined to not let Herath dictate terms as Rahul and Rohit both used their feet to also hit him over the rope but the tricky spinner did have some success. Herath ended Kohli’s 107-ball knock with Mathews showing great anticipation in the lone slip position to pull off a low, one-handed catch. Rahul fell after top edging a Chameera bouncer but Rohit scored freely to take India past the 300-mark. India made three changes to the team which imploded at Galle to allow the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, bringing in Vijay, paceman Umesh Yadav and all-rounder Stuart Binny. Those missing out were Shikhar Dhawan, who has been ruled out of the series with a fractured hand, Varun Aaron and Harbhajan Singh. Sri Lanka replaced the injured Nuwan Pradeep with Chameera in the 134th and final test for Sangakkara, who was given a guard of honour before the start of play. REUTERS
SL v IND, 2nd Test Day 2 as it happened: Stubborn SL finish day at 140 for 3
Live updates from Day 2 of 2nd Test in Colombo between India and Sri Lanka
 "SL v IND, 2nd Test Day 2 as it happened: Stubborn SL finish day at 140 for 3")
That image of Sanga batting with his picture in the background. PICTURE PERFECT.
India's patient bowling display has left Sri Lanka 140/3 and 253 runs behind on Day 2 of the 2nd Test #SLvInd pic.twitter.com/tfK0IPENPU
— ICC (@ICC) August 21, 2015
Too leg-sidish from Ashwin to Thirimanne from around the wicket. Too straight to trouble the left-hander who plays out a watchful maiden.
That’s STUMPS in Colombo. Classic Test match action, even contest between bat and ball.
Sri Lanka finish with 140-3 in 53 overs.
After 52 overs SL 140/3 (Thirimanne 28, Mathews 19)
Umesh continues to come up with peaches to Mathews. Third ball of the over was an absolute gem and Umesh must be gutted for not having a wicket. Another one straightens from good length and beats the outside edge and misses the off stump by a whisker.
Ishant concedes 5 from his over as a full ball is driven back behind bowler beautifully by Mathews.
Ashwin to bowl the last over of the day..
After 50 overs SL 133/3 (Thirimanne 26, Mathews 14)
Ishant starts off with an angling wide and short ball that is put away by Thirimanne. But the bowler comes back well, as he gets the line closer to off-stump. Five dot balls.
Umesh to continue.
In case any of you wondering what I am thinking right now.
It absolutely doesn't matter what I think, I know. But I disagree with about 80% of Virat Kohli's bowling changes. #SLvIND
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) August 21, 2015
After 49 overs SL 129/3 (Thirimanne 22, Mathews 14)
Umesh Yadav back into the attack and shows Kohli right away what Binny can’t do. A beauty of an out-swinger beats Mathews all ends up off the first ball and the last ball. An outside edge goes to third man for a four followed by a more assured punch from Mathews through covers for another boundary. Granted there were 10 runs conceded, but that’s three wicket-taking balls in one over.
Mishra is taken off the attack now. Ishant brought back.
After 48 overs SL 119/3 (Thirimanne 22, Mathews 4)
Mishra with another excellent over. After a Mathews gets off strike off the third ball, he troubles Thirimanne too. Loud appeal off the fifth ball for LBW but the leg-break hit the left-hander just outside off stump. Ends the over with a quciker one that Thirimanne gets his bat to, just about.
After 47 overs SL 118/3 (Thirimanne 22, Mathews 3)
Mishra continues to test the right-handers with his flight and turn – a full ball flighted wide of off stump is driven uppishly and falls just short of point. Just a single fomr that over.
Meanwhile, Binny continues from the other end. (WHY VIRAT, WHY!?) Full for Mathews and he gets a single to midwicket.
Two modern greats undoubtedly..
Yesterday for Clarke, today for Sangakarra...'Guard of Honour' is letting us know that this game will be poorer next week. #champions
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 21, 2015
After 45 overs SL 116/3 (Thirimanne 22, Mathews 1)
After Mishra’s successful over, Mathews is now the new man in. Binny starts off much fuller to Mathews compared to the short of good length he was bowling at Silva. Finishes the over with a wide ball down leg side to Thirimanne. Might be the last we see off Binny with the new batsman in.
After 43 overs SL 111/2 (Silva 51, Thirimanne 17)
Much better from Binny to the right-handed Silva. Bowls a series of out-swingers (gentle ones, yes) a couple of which beat Silva’s outside edge. Then brings the last ball back in but Silva gets his bat on it just in time. If only he was a few yards faster. Few yards.
Drinks, the last one of the day.
After 42 overs SL 111/2 (Silva 51, Thirimanne 17)
Another probing over from Mishra to Silva after Thirimanne gets a single off the first ball. Good flight and loop for the leggie. Silva gets a single off the last ball tentatively leaning into a forward push.
Been that kind of a day for bowlers. Binny here, Finn in Edgbaston.
That's twice now that Finn has thought he has taken his 100th Test wicket - only to have overstepped.
— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) August 21, 2015
After 41 overs SL 109/2 (Silva 50, Thirimanne 16)
Entering the last hour play in Colombo. Binny goes back over the wicket to Thirimanne and the first ball induces a half-leave and half-backfoot-defence from Thirimanne that trickles down to slip. Gets a single off the fifth ball to deep point. Again, harmless from Binny.
After 40 overs SL 108/2 (Silva 50, Thirimanne 16)
Mishra, however,seems to be troubling Silva here. Thirimanne gets a single off the first ball and Silva is left guessing by Mishra as he flights and teases the right hander. Five dot balls ensue. Aakash Chopra seems terribly upset that Mishra didnt bowl the googly that over.
After 39 overs SL 107/2 (Silva 50, Thirimanne 15)
Harmless over from Binny, around the wicket to Thirimanne using the width of the crease. Strays on to the pads twice as Thirimanne gets three runs from that.
After 38 overs SL 104/2 (Silva 50, Thirimanne 12)
Amit Mishra is finally back into the attack after having bowled just one over so far. Starts short and wide but Silva cuts hit straight to cover. The fourth ball was an absolute ripper from Mishra as he gets one to turn from leg stump past outside off – misses outside edge. Kohli brings in a second slip immediately. Starts with a maiden, Mishra.
Stuart Binny from the other end. No spin in tandem for India.
After 37 overs SL 104/2 (Silva 50, Thirimanne 12)
Kushal Silva gets to his fifty in Ashwin’s over with a cover drive off the last ball. Ashwin got one to rip off the pitch earlier – wild turn the beat bat, keeper and slips for a couple down to third man. There was also a beautiful straighter one from over the wicket to Silva.
Ishant bowls a maiden over at Thirimanne – again leaves everything outside off.
After 35 overs SL 99/2 (Silva 48, Thirimanne 11)
Two singles from the over. Thirimanne leaves outside off and gets a single the moment Sharma strays on the pads. Kohli had an awkward fall in the first ball of the over trying to release half-balanced from mid-on. Seems okay though.
After 34 overs 97/2 (Silva 47, Thirimanne 10)
After four dot balls, Ashwin gets one to turn and bounce on Silva as he tucks one behind the wicket. A leg slip would have had an easy catch. Where’s Raina when you need him? Ashwin ends the over with the straighter one around the wicket to Thirimanne.
Atrocious over-rates from both sides.
30 overs remaining in the day. 1 hour 40 minutes to go. #SLvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) August 21, 2015
After 33 overs SL 96/2 (Silva 46, Thirimanne 10)
Eight-ball over from Ishant there – two no balls in that over. No Binny-esque consequences however. Good over otherwise as he works the angle from over the wicket at Thirimanne – a loud appeal from everyone but Saha for a caught behind, no response from the umpire. The one ball that’s strayed on the pads goes for a couple.
Drinks in Colombo..
After 32 overs SL 92/2 (Silva 46, Thirimanne 8)
Ishant a little wayward on his comeback to the attack, straying on Thirimanne’s pads – gets a single off the third ball. Silva plays out three dot balls as Ishant’s line is much more perfect for the right-hander. Still getting good carry.
Ashwin’s over goes for three runs. Again, an easy single on offer for the new batsman. Silva gets a couple by giving room and pushing against the turn towards third man.
That’s something Ashwin can be proud of for the rest of his life..
Sangakkara vs Ashwin in Tests:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) August 21, 2015
Balls-53
Runs-20
Dismissals-3
Avg-6.66
SR-37.73#SLvsInd #INDvsSL
After 30 overs SL 88/2 (Silva 44, Thirimanne 6)
Maiden over from Yadav to Thirimanne as the pacer makes the new batsman play at all six balls. Ashwin with the next over concedes six runs as Thirimanne sweeps him over mid-wicket for a pressure-relieving four. Ashwin, who was tossing it up nicely before that, drags it just a little shot to Thirimanne and quicker too, to keep the batsmen guessing.
Ishant Sharma replaces Umesh Yadav
Seemed to be holding Sanga run-less at will Ashwin.
Big breakthru for India. Sangakkara falls for 32. Fine diving, slip catch by Rahane. Ashwin always seemed to have the measure of the master
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 21, 2015
After 28 overs SL 82/2 (Silva 43, Thirimanne 1)
Ashwin gifts a single to Thirimanne to get off the mark with a single to long-on – yes, long-on for the new batsman and Gavaskar is not a happy man at all! Silva looks a bit edgy against the off-spin as he edges a couple of balls on to the pads but no where close to the short leg fielder on both occasions.
Seriously, why long-on for Thirimanne??
Sangakkara’s innings was treading a fine line between patient and very slow and the pressure built up by Ashwin paid off there. The off-break jumped on him just a bit and took the outside edge. Not enough adjectives to describe Rahane’s catching at slips.
Thirimanne is the new man in. Umesh Yadav from the other end. Good over but for one short ball which is put away through the mid-wicket for four.
After 27 overs SL 79/2 (Silva 41, Thirimanne 0)
OUT! Ashwin gets Sangakkara for the third time this series! Silence followed by applause in Colombo. No mistake from Rahane this time as he takes a diving catch to his left at first slip. That’s a beautiful catch.
Sanga walks out, perhaps for the penultimate time, to a warm round of applause.
After 25 overs SL 74/1 (Silva 32, Sangakara 36)
Ashwin gets a go at Silva but the right-hander glances one fine between keeper and slip to pick up a boundary. Uses his feet to get a single and get off strike. Back around the wicket for Sanga, who’s playing Ashwin as late as possible. Couple more singles, makes it eight from the over.
Yadav continues from the other end and bowls a maiden at Sangakkara who continues to leave the angled ball away. One short ball on the ribs induces a pull that seems to have clipped the thigh pad on the way to the keeper. Muffled appeal.
After 23 overs SL 66/1 (Silva 30, Sangakara 30)
Yadav goes back to bowling over the wicket for Sangakkara. Again good pace and length from Umesh but line is a bit wide for Sanga to bother hitting them.
After 22 overs SL 66/1 (Silva 30, Sangakara 30)
Ashwin gives just a single that over as Sanga plays him out watchfully – takes a single off the fifth ball as Kohli has a deep point now. Silva faces a rare Ashwin delivery as an off-break is tucked behind to square leg.
Yadav from the other end, a change of ends for him
Bhuvi’s stocks rising?
How do you mess up a 5 batsman, 5 bowler strategy? By shifting to a 5 batsman, 4 bowler, 1 Binny strategy.
— Nitin Sundar🎙️✒️🎦 (@knittins) August 21, 2015
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