 "IND vs PAK: ‘For Pakistan, with their new faces, the pressure is going to be different, India will dominate them’")
 "Why rumours of Sachin Tendulkar becoming next BCCI president are unfounded")
Colombo: India pacer Ishant Sharma claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, but Sri Lankan bowlers struck back to leave the visitors struggling in their second innings as rain forced early stumps on Day 3 of the third cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) here on Sunday. Ishant returned figures of 5/54, as the hosts were bundled out for 201, in reply to India’s first innings total of 312. Stuart Binny (2-24), Amit Mishra (2-25) and Umesh Yadav (1-64) also bowled superbly. In India’s second innings, Rohit Sharma (14 not out) and skipper Virat Kohli (1 not out) remained unbeaten at stumps as the visitors struggled to post a meagre 21/3. The visitors had a vital 132-run second innings lead at the end of the day’s play. [caption id=“attachment_2414176” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Dhammika Prasad. AP[/caption] With the SSC pitch offering appreciable lateral movement, Indian pacers struck early blows to reduce the hosts to 47/5 at lunch. Following the break, Ishant continued his rampaging form as he had Lahiru Thirimanne (0) caught at first slip before forcing Dhammika Prasad to retire hurt with a blow on his left hand. However, a 79-run partnership between Perera and Herath got the hosts back on track and although Perera departed before tea, Herath ensured that Sri Lanka did not stare at a big deficit. Starting their second innings with a 111-run lead, the visitors were on the backfoot right away when Dhammika Prasad dislodged Cheteshwar Pujara’s middle stump with an incoming delivery. Pujara, who carried his bat through India’s first innings, became the only man to follow such a feat with a duck in the same Test. Lokesh Rahul soon followed Pujara back to the dressing room when he misread another incoming delivery from pacer Nuwan Pradeep. The opener attempted to leave the ball only to see his bails go flying all over. Pradeep then trapped Ajinkya Rahane leg before as the Lankans clawed their way back into the match. At the close, Pradeep had figures of 2/6 while Prasad had clinched one wicket for eight runs. Earlier in the day, resuming the third day’s play at 292/8 in the first innings, the Indians managed to add only 20 runs to their overnight score. Opener Pujara remained unbeaten on 145 as India were bowled out for 312 in 100.1 overs in their first innings. For the hosts, Prasad (4/100) and Herath (3/84) were the pick of the bowlers. In reply, the Lankan batsmen looked in poor shape right from the start, losing wickets at regular intervals. The hosts lost their first six wickets for only 47 runs, thus putting their team on the back foot right at the start. But Kausal Perera (55) and Rangana Herath (49) got together to put on a 80-run stand for the seventh wicket to take the Lankans past the 100-run mark. With the dismissal of Perera, Herath took on the responsibility to keep the scoreboard ticking and take his team past to the 180-run mark. But Indian bowlers showed their class to knock down the rest in style. Alongside Ishant’s five-wicket haul, Binny, Mishra and Yadav bowled superbly to wreck the host’s batting order. India batsmen resumed play in the second innings, but to their surprise Lankan bowlers struck in quick succession to bring down the visitors’ first three wickets with just seven runs on the board. Incoming batsmen skipper Kohli and Rohit held on as heavy rains forced early stumps on day 3, giving India a vital 132-run lead in their second innings. IANS
Sri Lanka vs India 3rd Test, day 4 as it happened: Rohit, Ishant put India in command
Live scores and updates of day 4 of the 3rd Test between Sri Lanka and India.
 "Sri Lanka vs India 3rd Test, day 4 as it happened: Rohit, Ishant put India in command")
Bad light forces early stumps on day 4! Sri Lanka 67/3, need 319 more runs to win
India are firmly in the driver’s seat now. Rohit (50), Binny (49) and Ashwin’s (58) crucial contributions helped India post a 386-run target. Rohit’s innings was important as he saw out the difficult period and stabilized India. Ishant and Prasad then went for each other and things went somewhat out of control. Ishant then came firing on in the second innings and scalped two of three wickets. Sri Lanka are still batting positively. They would need a marathon effort fromt heir batsmen to save or even win this match. They will also be hoping that rain uses up as much time as possible.
After 18 overs, Sri Lanka 63/3 (Silva 24, Mathews 18)
A lovely over from Mishra. He is flighting it really well. One skids off the surface and turns a tad. Mathews gets his bat down at the last moment and gets an inside edge just wide of the leg stump. One run off the over.
After 17 overs, Sri Lanka 62/3 (Silva 24, Mathews 17)
Another good over from Ishant. His lines and lengths are immaculate. He beats Silva with a lovely outswinger which swings the other way after passing the bat. Silva is solid in his defense for the rest of the over. A maiden.
After 16 overs, Sri Lanka 62/3 (Silva 24, Mathews 17)
Mishra started off well. He looped it up nicely. Two singles off the over. Mishra got some turn.
After 15 overs, Sri Lanka 61/3 (Silva 23, Mathews 17)
Sri Lanka are playing positive cricket. Ishant drops the first one short, Silva pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Mathews then punches one through covers for a couple. 7 runs off the over.
After 14 overs, Sri Lanka 54/3 (Silva 18, Mathews 15)
Binny bowling with good rhythm and trying to keep it full. Mathews looks to drive at one but gets an outside edge along the ground to point. He however gets one off the middle and cracks it through extra cover for a boundary. 4 runs off the over.
After 13 overs, Sri Lanka 50/3 (Silva 18, Mathews 11)
50 comes up for Sri Lanka. Mathews getting into the groove. He thumps an overpitched one through mid on for a boundary and then follows with a lovely extra cover drive for consecutive fours. He then clips one to long leg for a single to make it 9 runs from the over.
After 12 overs, Sri Lanka 41/3 (Silva 18, Mathews 2)
Another probing over from Binny. He induced an outside edge off Mathews just wide of gully. He then brings one back into Silva who just about manages to get his bat down in time and gets an inside edge onto his pads. A loud appeal for an LBW is turned down. He then bowls a full delivery outside off, swinging away, Silva leans and drives it through point for a boundary. Binny might be happy that at least Silva chased it.
After 11 overs, Sri Lanka 36/3 (Silva 16, Mathews 1)
Umesh bounces back well in the over. He bowls a couple of short ones off the first two balls, Silva hammers both over mid-wicket for consecutive fours. Umesh bounces back to beat him twice with lovely outswingers. In between, Silve takes a couple behind square leg. 10 runs off the over.
After 10 overs, Sri Lanka 26/3 (Silva 6, Mathews 1)
A probing over from Binny. He has impressed with his lines and lengths in this series. He beats Mathews with a beautifu outswinger off the first ball. And then induces a leading edge which falls just short of the slip cordon. A maiden over.
After 9 overs, Sri Lanka 26/3 (Silva 6, Mathews 1)
Finally an over where the Sri Lankan batsmen don’t struggle against Ishant. A single off the over. Ishant is on 199 wickets. He would like to get that 200th today itself!
After 8 overs, Sri Lanka 25/3 (Silva 6, Mathews 0)
Amidst all the carnage, Silva has looked pretty confident at the wicket. He pushes one off Binny to mid off for a couple and then drives one through covers for another couple. 4 runs off the Binny over.
And here you go.....Ishant in full Nana Patekar mode. #SLvIND ( Vine via @Cricrajeshpk ) https://t.co/gRZMMPvE1y
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 31, 2015
After 7 overs, Sri Lanka 21/3 (Silva 2, Mathews 0)
A brilliant over from Ishant. He had induced an outside edge of Chandimal earlier in the over but it fell short of slips but then he got his man caught in the same region and then went all out in celebrations.
OUT! Ishant has gone wild is celebrations. He is just unstoppable. Chandimal departs! D Chandimal c Kohli b I Sharma 18 (17b 3×4 0x6)
Good length delivery outside off, shaping away. Chandimal pokes at it and gets an outside edge to third slip, Rahu fumbles but Kohli at second slip is alert to grab it on the rebound. Ishant goes berserk and follows up with wild celebrations. He hits his head repeatedly with his hand.
Angelo Mathews strides out to the middle.
After 6 overs, Sri Lanka 17/2 (Silva 1, Chandimal 15)
Chandimal slowly getting into the groove. Three consecutive fours off Umesh. He, at first, guides one to third man for a boundary, then thumps one through point and then flicks one to fine leg for another boundary. A single off the last ball makes it 13 runs off the over.
After 5 overs, Sri Lanka 4/2 (Silva 1, Chandimal 2)
Another brilliant over from Ishant. He’s got the rhythm going. He induces an outside edge off Chandimal but it falls just short of the third slip fielder. He then beats Chandimal with a beautiful outswinger. Chandimal takes a single off the last delivery.
After 4 overs, Sri Lanka 3/2 (Silva 1, Chandimal 1)
Umesh gets his lines right and he gets a wicket. He nearly had Chandimal off the first ball but it fell short of the short leg fielder. 2 runs and the wicket of Karunaratne in the over.
OUT! What a start for India! Karunaratne too departs! Karunaratne c Ojha b Yadav 0 (7b 0x4 0x6)
Good length delivery outside off, nips away. Karunaratne pushes at it and gets an outside edge. Ojha takes a good diving catch. Sri Lanka 2/2.
Dinesh Chandimal strides out to the middle.
After 3 overs, Sri Lanka 1/1 (Silva 0, Karunaratne 0)
Good lines and lengths from Ishant. He looks really pumped up. He is bowling that odd sharp bouncer too in the over. A maiden from him. karunaratne was solid in his defense.
After 2 overs, Sri Lanka 1/1 (Silva 0, Karunaratne 0)
Not the best of starts from Umesh Yadav. He was too short and wayward. A maiden but he didn’t make Silva play much.
15, 14, 0, 12, 4, 1, 3, 8, 2, 11, 0, 1: The opening stands in this #SLvIND series http://t.co/E9i8GqRhGH
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 31, 2015
After 1 over, Sri Lanka 1/1 (Silva 0, Karunaratne 0)
A brilliant first over from Ishant. He bowled a sharp bouncer to which Tharanga ducked at the last moment. He then beat Tharanga with a beauty and then induced an outside edge which fel short of the slip cordon. He finally had his man off the last ball of the over.
OUT! Ishant strikes in the first over! Tharanga departs. U Tharanga c †Ojha b I Sharma 0 (7b 0x4 0x6)
Ishant gives him a send-off, he is pumped up. Good length delivery on off, nips away after landing. Tharanga is a touch squared up and he gets an outside edge to the keeper. Ishant is all pumped up and gives Tharanga a send off. The umpires then have a word with Kohli.
Dimuth Karunaratne is the new batsman.
Tv replays showed Prasad catch up with Ishant on the steps to the dressing room. Words were exchanged. #SLvIND http://t.co/Nm1cEt7pRo
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 31, 2015
Here's Ishant rushing off to the dressing room and then Prasad charges behind him. Make of it what you can. #SLVIND https://t.co/cQMYwpWtWn
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 31, 2015
India are all out for 274!
OUT! Good length delivery outside off, shaping away. Ashwin looks to poke but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Ishant rushes off to the pavilion and then Prasad too charges off behind him. Don’t know why Prasad rushed off. Can understand about Ishant as he has to come out to bowl but why Prasad? According to the commentators, he may be off for a shower!
After 75 overs, India 269/9 (Ashwin 57, Ishant 0)
A successful over for Sri Lanka. Just one run and a wicket off it.
OUT! A very good catch from Herath! U Yadav c Herath b Pradeep 4 (19b 0x4 0x6)
Short on middle and leg from Pradeep goes for a pull but gets a top edge to fine leg. Herath settles under it for an eternity and pouches it safely.
Ishant is the last man in
Need to leave enough time. Maybe the fact that the track is slowing is causing Kohli to look for more. This is already enough.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 31, 2015
Too early to declare, need at least 600 more #SLvIND
— absy (@absycric) August 31, 2015
'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report
Jasprit Bumrah was rested for fifth Test against England at The Oval Workload management was believed to be the reason behind Bumrah's absence The pacer, however, reportedly has a knee injury, a BCCI official claimed in a report.
More Impact Shorts "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Dhammika-Prasad_AP_Wicket.jpg){kind=link}
Top Shows
