Sri Lanka vs India 3rd Test as it happened: Feels nice to have created history with such young team, says Kohli

Ashwin: The catching was been brilliant and that is why I find myself with more than 20 wickets in the series. Having been here before for the one-day tournaments, and we had a practice game as well, my takeaway was that the wickets were slow and I have to put more body in. It has been quite a while since I won a Man of the Series award, happy to win it. I had a few tennis elbow issues and had to change my technique a little bit.

Ravichandran Ashwin is named the Man of the Series.

Kohli: “Being 0-1 down was never easy. I was told it has never been done, we’ve created a bit of history. Even the guys who havent played, guys like Bhuvi and Varun and Bhajji, a senior, who has run around and helped everyone. Feels nice to have created a bit of history with such a young team. It’s a magnificent milestone to build on. Injuries are always something that frustrates the team, But the attitude has been brilliant and you mentioned Pujara came in after someone was injured and he saw it as an opportunity and not diffuclty. That is why we are playing the kind of cricket we are playing. There are areas we want to improve on, but over the series, we can count the number of sessions we were bad on one hand. Really proud of the boys”

Pujara: “It was a very good opportunity for me, we were 1-1 and we won the series now. Facing the new ball was challenging, it was an opportunity as well. My preparation was good, and my experience in International cricket has helped”

Cheteshwar Pujara is named the Man of the Match.

What a match it has been. It was Pujara’s gritty 145* that helped India post a respectable 312 on a difficult pitch. Ishant then came out firing and left Sri Lanka reeling at 47/5 before Kusal’s 55 and Herath’s 4 led Sri Lanka’s fightback. They managed to post 201 in the first innings. Sri Lanka came out firing all guns and had India reduced to 7/3 but Rohit (50), Binny (49) and Ashwin (58) made sure that India posted a competitive target of 386. There were ugly scenes with Ishant and Prasad coming face to face. A fired up Ishant then helped India reduce Sri Lanka to 107/5, Mathews (110) and Kusal (70) then again led Sri Lanka’s fightback with a 134-run stand but Ashwin struck crucial blows to make sure India won the match comfortably.

That’s it! India win by 117 runs. Their first overseas series win in 4 years. They have ended their 22-year wait for a series win in Sri Lanka. 

OUT! Mishra bowls a googly and traps Kaushal LBW. Celebrations all around. Sri Lanka all out for 268. A special moment for Kohli and co. to savour. Kohli is pumped up. While Rahane has a simple smile.

After 84 overs SL 263/9 (Kaushal 0, Pradeep 0)

A successful over from Ashwin. Two wickets in that over. We didn’t get a chance to witness Ishant vs Prasad as Prasad looked in some hurry and lost his wicket in space of 4 balls. India just one wicket away from a famous win.

OUT! Prasad arrives, he dazzles, he departs. All in space of 4 balls.

He Went for everything, got a two and a four but then went for one shot too many. Ended up skying it high in the air. Binny setttled under it on the off side and took a good catch. 

Nuwan Pradeep is the last manin.

OUT! India inch closer. Herath is trapped LBW by Ashwin!

It’s very full on middle, Herath looks to flick but ends up yorking himself. He misses and the finger lifts his finger straightaway on the appeal. 

Dhammika Prasad was seen running tot he dressing room last night, today he comes rushing outside. Gets a standing ovation.

After 83 overs SL 257/7 (Herath 11, Kaushal 0)

Ishant bowls a fiery over. He is all pumped up. Three bouncers to start with. He then bowls the next three balls on a back of a length area outside off, Kaushal lets them go through. A maiden.

There was an interesting moment after Mathews got out as Kohli rushed to pat his counterpart on the back for a superb innings even as Ishant was busy soaking the applause in from the Indian dressing room

After 82 overs SL 257/7 (Herath 11, Kaushal 0)

Herath – the senior batsman now – starts throwing his bat around, perhaps to unsettle the Indians. Umesh’s short ball from over the wickets is pulled away to mid-wicket and “slash? slash hard” shot fetched him a four through third man. 8 runs from that over as Herath plays out Yadav from around the wicket.

A bit wayward in that over to start and end with – as Ishant fired it wide down the leg with Naman Ojha diving to gather it well. But he kept it straight when it mattered and the biggest prize on offer was Ishant’s – Angelo Mathews’ wicket. Sadly, no Dhammika PRasad yet as Kaushal walks in and gets beaten twice.

Umesh Yadav from the other end.

OUT! First over after Tea & Ishant gets the big one of Mathews! His 200th Test wicket too. The third ball of a new session – Ishant keeps it full, straight, not  much movement – but Mathews completely misses it. Plumb on the backfoot. 

What a start but spare a thought for Angelo Mathews – what a stupendous innings!

Alright this is it. The last session of the Test series – with the new ball. Ishant with the brand new red Kookabura. India need 4 wickets

Tea, day 5. Sri Lanka 249/6. 115 runs scored with just 1 wkt lost in the session. India have an upper hand. Mathews not out on 110.

Herath survives the last over before tea. One run scored off it. The 2nd new ball is due after tea for India and that gives them an added advantage. They need 4 wickets to end a 22-year wait for a win on Sri Lankan soil. However, Mathews is fighting it out in the middle with 110*.

After 79 overs, Sri Lanka 248/6 (Mathews 109, Herath 3)

Herath survives some anxious moments. ashwin bowls one quicker from outside off, herath comes half forward and defends it with bat and pad. A huge LBW appeal is turned down. Looked like bat first. Ashwin then loops it up nicely and it spins away viciously after landing. Herath is beaten on his forward prod. A maiden.

After 78 overs, Sri Lanka 248/5 (Mathews 109, Herath 3)

Herath too looking to be positive. He drags one down from outside off to deep mid-wicket for a single. Two more singles make it 3 runs off the over. Still, not much turn on offer for Mishra. Sri Lanka were doing well still don’t know what was the need of that shot from Kusal!

After 77 overs, Sri Lanka 245/5 (Mathews 108, Herath 1)

A Successful over for India. Ashwin got the big wicket of Kusal. Mathews still looked to be positive after Kusal’s departure as he sweeps one fine for a couple. 3 runs off the over.

OUT! What a waste of a wicket. Madness from Kusal. He was playing well but falls to a reverse sweep!

It’s full on middle and off, Kusal gets down and reverse sweeps it powerfully but straight to the fielder at point. He walks off disappointed but there are few words exchanged by the Indian fielder. Kusal is not impressed and he has a go at them.  The 135-run stand is broken.

Rangana Herath walks out to the middle.

After 76 overs, Sri Lanka 242/5 (Mathews 106, Kusal 70)

Mathews, for unfathomable reasons, looks to get audacious and plays a reverse sweep but straight to the fielder. He is getting runs easily and playing well, why go for those unconventional shots? After five deliveries, Mishra comes from over the wicket and bowls a googly. Mathews defendsit carefully.

Mishra coming from round the wicket to Mathews.

After 75 overs, Sri Lanka 241/5 (Mathews 106, Kusal 69)

Nothing much happening. Two singles and Mathews padding away delivery outside the leg stump. India need a wicket here.

After 74 overs, Sri Lanka 239/5 (Mathews 105, Kusal 68)

Easy singles on offer, two of them in the Mishra over.

After 73 overs, Sri Lanka 237/5 (Mathews 104, Kusal 67)

Binny fluffed his lengths in that over and got punished. Kusat, at first, thumps a short one through covers for a boundary. Mathews then guides one through gully for a boundary to bring up his hundred. Binny then bowls short and Mathews pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 13 runs off the over.

CENTURY for Mathews!

The captain has led from the front and played a brilliant innings so far. he gets there with a dab to third man for a boundary. He is delighted and gets a standing ovation from the SSC crowd.

After 72 overs, Sri Lanka 219/5 (Mathews 96, Kusal 62)

Clever cricket again from Sri Lanka. Taking calculated risks. Kusal gets down and sweeps one to fine leg for a boundary. He then takes a single. Mathews plays out the rest over cautiously.

Mishra continues….

After 71 overs, Sri Lanka 219/5 (Mathews 96, Kusal 57)

A lovely probing over from Binny. He makes Mathews drive at one but ends up beating him with away movement. He again tempts him this time bowling a tad wide. Mathews leavesit alone. He again beats him with a beautiful outswinger. A maiden over.

96* – This is now Mathews’ highest score in the 4th innings of a Test match.

After 70 overs, Sri Lanka 219/5 (Mathews 96, Kusal 57)

Mathews survives a HUGE LBW appeal. He might be lucky to be still out there in the middle. It’s full on middle, Mathews gets down for a prod but seems to miss it. There is a noise as the ball passes the bat. They all go up in an extended appeal but the umpire says no and signals that he thinks there is an inside edge. Looked plumb in front but for the inside edge. Mishra then induces a thick outside edge to gully for a single. Mishra then errs in length, drops it short and Kusal cuts it powerfully through backwardpoint for a boundary.

After 69 overs, Sri Lanka 212/5 (Mathews 93, Kusal 53)

Runs flowing. Mathews moves into the 90s. He thumps it through covers for a boundary. Kusal then brings up his fifty with a boundary. 9 runs off the over. The 100-run stand has also come up.

FIFTY for Kusal!

He brings it up in style with a pull through square leg for a boundary. His 2nd 50 of the match. What a debut he is having.

Binny continues…..

After 68 overs, Sri Lanka 203/5 (Mathews 88, Kusal 49)

Nice variations from Ashwin in that over. He bowls the first one straighter, Kusal just about gets his bat down in time and gets an insid edge onto the pads. After four off spinners which yield a run, He bowls a straighter one to Mathews. He looks to defend but gets an outside edge wide of the first slip fielder for three. 4 runs off the over.

After 67 overs, Sri Lanka 199/5 (Mathews 85, Kusal 48)

Good tight lines from Binny. He didn’t get much movement. A maiden.

Binny into the attack now. A silly mid off in place for Mathews….

After 66 overs, Sri Lanka 199/5 (Mathews 85, Kusal 48)

Two singles off the Ashwin over. Both the batsmen not troubled. Not much turn on offer still.

After 65 overs, Sri Lanka 197/5 (Mathews 84, Kusal 47)

A slight lapse in concentration. He looks to pull the first one but gets the toe of the bat to mid-wicket. He ends up damaging the bat and calls out for repair works. He then looks to cut a good length delivery outside off but it tails back in slightly to beat his inside edge. He finally gets one off the middle as he cuts a touch short one to deep point for a single. 1 run off the over.

After 64 overs, Sri Lanka 196/5 (Mathews 84, Kusal 46)

After a couple of singles, Mathews defends the next three solidly. Ashwin drifts one on the pads, it turns down the leg side and bounces, Mathews looks to trickle but gets an inside edge wide of the leg slip fielder for a boundary. 6 runs off the over.

After 63 overs, Sri Lanka 190/5 (Mathews 79, Kusal 45)

Good stuff from Sri Lanka. They don’t have problems in dealing in singles. It’s all too easy at the moment. Three ones in that over.

Ishant continues…..

After 62 overs, Sri Lanka 187/5 (Mathews 77, Kusal 44)

They have changed the ball because of the wear and tear. Ashwin comes from round the wicket and concedes just two singles. Not much spin on offer and Mathews is assured in his defense.

After 61 overs, Sri Lanka 185/5 (Mathews 76, Kusal 43)

Decent over from Ishant. He bowled the first one on middle and leg and Mathews flicked it through mid-wicket for a couple. But then he adjusts his line to off and just outside off, Mathews is cautious in his leaves and solid in his defense.

Ishant Sharma back on….

After 60 overs, Sri Lanka 183/5 (Mathews 74, Kusal 43)

Good contest shaping up between Kusal and Mishra. Mishra bowls a lovely googly in the corridor of uncertainty, Kusal picks it up well and leaves it alone. Mishra has hands on his face, Kusal smiles. Mishra then bowls one short, Kusal cracks it through covers for a boundary. Mishra then comes from round the wicket, Kusal uses his feet off the last ball and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. He is looking ominous.

After 59 overs, Sri Lanka 175/5 (Mathews 74, Kusal 35)

A good mixof aggerssion and caution from both Kusal and Mathews. Kusal at first smashes one over extra cover for a boundary. That came out of no where. he then goes for a sweep but misses. A single and then Mathews goes for a sweep but gets a top edge over leg slip for a couple. He ends the over with a single. 7 runs off the over.

After 58 overs, Sri Lanka 168/5 (Mathews 72, Kusal 30)

Decent over from Mishra. He tossed it up well. Two singles. India need a wicket now.

After 57 overs, Sri Lanka 166/5 (Mathews 71, Kusal 29)

Mathews trickles one to fine leg fro a couple. Ashwin straightaway has a leg slip, Mathews again takes that risk and flicks it wide of the leg slip fielder for a single. Kusal plays out the rest cautiously. He even tried to use his feet to Ashwin.

After 56 overs, Sri Lanka 163/5 (Mathews 68, Kusal 29)

Mathews survives an anxious moment. He tucks one to the leg side and starts off, Rahul at short leg is alert. He shows good reflexes, makes the stop and has a shy at the striker’s end, Mathews gets back in as Rahul misses. Earlier, Silva had pulled off a similar run out in India’s 2nd innings. Mathews playing across the line a lot to Mishra.One run off the over.

After 55 overs, Sri Lanka 162/5 (Mathews 67, Kusal 29)

Kusal quite content at playing off the back foot. He was untroubled in that over. A maiden.

Spin fro both ends now. Ashwin back on….

After 54 overs, Sri Lanka 162/5 (Mathews 67, Kusal 29)

After four well-flighted deliveries which are defended off the front foot by Mathews, Mishra pushes one quicker. Mathews stays back and defends. Mishra again bowls a lovely leg spinner on off, Mathews leans forward for a prod but gets a slight edge along the ground to gully. Good mix of deliveries byMishra in that over.

After 53 overs, Sri Lanka 162/5 (Mathews 67, Kusal 29)

Kusal is growing in confidence and playing some solid defenses and crisp drives. Umesh not getting much movement. Kusal guides one wide of gully for a couple. 3 runs off the over.

After 52 overs, Sri Lanka 159/5 (Mathews 66, Kusal 27)

Ashwin still bowling that one odd short ball per over and getting punished. He bowls an absolute ripper that turns and bounces to beat Kusal’s outside edge. But he bowls it short off the very next ball, Kusal thumps it through point for a boundary. Kusal is solid in his defense for the rest of the over. 4 runs off it.

After 51 overs, Sri Lanka 155/5 (Mathews 66, Kusal 23)

After four defenses, Mathews turns one to fine leg for a boundary. It was on middle and leg and Mathews manufactured that shot. 4 runs off the over.

After 50 overs, Sri Lanka 151/5 (Mathews 62, Kusal 23)

Ashwin not getting his lengths right in that over. He bowls one short but Kusal thumps it straight to cover. Ashwin then bowls one full and gets it to turn, Kusal gets a slight outside edge along the ground to short third man. Ashwin again drops short and Kusal this time finds the gap as he cracks one through covers for a boundary. Sri Lanka playing positively after lunch. 6 runs off the over.

After 49 overs, Sri Lanka 145/5 (Mathews 61, Kusal 18)

Kusal has made up his mind that he will go for his shots. After leaving a bouncer down he leg side, Kusal pounces onto the next and cracks it through mid-wicket for a thumping boundary. He then turns one to long leg for a single. Mathews then gets into the act and punches it through point for a boundary. 9 runs off the over. Not the best of starts for Umesh.

After 48 overs, Sri Lanka 136/5 (Mathews 57, Kusal 13)

A good start from Ashwin. Two singles off it. He didn’t get much purchase from the wicket but was disciplined with his lines.

Right! Back after lunch. Ashwin will start off proceedings. Mathews on strike…

Lunch on day 5. Sri Lanka 134/5, still need 252 to win. Mathews going srong on 56, Kusal is on 12. 

A probing last over before lunch from Ishant. He beat Mathews with a lovely outswinger but the NO ball problem still persists. He overstepped twice in that over.

Ishant Sharma back on for what might be the last over before lunch….

After 46 overs, Sri Lanka 131/5 (Mathews 55, Kusal 12)

Ashwin mixed it up really well but Kusal has enterd an attacking mode it seems. he punches one through covers for a couple and then chips down the track to thump it through mid off for a boundary. Ashwin follows up with a couple of straighter ones but Kusal is solid in his defense. 6 runs off the over.

After 45 overs, Sri Lanka 125/5 (Mathews 55, Kusal 6)

Mishra drifted the first one slightly wide and Mathews drove it through covers for a couple. Ashwin bounces back to bowl five good balls next up. Mathews is solidin his defense. Two runs off the over.

After 44 overs, Sri Lanka 123/5 (Mathews 53, Kusal 6)

Another tight over from Ashwin. After five off spinners, he bowls a straighter one to Kusal, who gets an inside edge on his front foot defense. Had he missed it, he would have been a goner. 1 run off the over.

After 43 overs, Sri Lanka 122/5 (Mathews 52, Kusal 6)

Mishra has been guilty of bowling a lot of front foot no balls. He needs to work on it. He however bowls a probing over. Kusal geta an inside edge on his defense and it flies wide of the short leg fielder. He then uses his feet regularly to get to the pitch of the ball. 3 runs off the over. An intriguing passage of play this……………

After 42 overs, Sri Lanka 119/5 (Mathews 51, Kusal 5)

FIFTY for Mathews!

He is fighting a lone battle, he sweeps one to fine leg and takes a couple to bring up his fifry, his 23rd in Tests. 7 fours in his innings. Three runs off the Ashwin over.

After 40 overs, Sri Lanka 116/5 (Mathews 45, Kusal 3)

There was a bit of excitement off the last ball, Mishra gave it loop and got it to turn viciously from outside off. Mathews leant forward for a prod but missed it. The keeper fumbled and couldn’t grab it. Mishra looked disappointed. Replays show Mathews’ bat hit the ground and that’s what created the noise. Three runs off the over. It has started turning a bit.

After 39 overs, Sri Lanka 111/5 (Mathews 45, Kusal 3)

Mishra a bit onthe shorter side in that over. Mathews drives one to deep point for a single. Kusal punches one to covers for a couple to get off the mark. He then tucks one to the leg side for a single. 4 runs off the over.

Mishra continues…..

After 38 overs, Sri Lanka 107/5 (Mathews 45, Kusal 0)

A successful over from Ashwin. 2 runs and a wicket off it. He still isn’t getting enormous amount of turn. But the one off which he got Thirimanne’s wicket did turn a decent amount.

OUT! Ashwin breaks the stand! Thirimanne departs. L Thirimanne c Rahul b Ashwin 12 (47b 0x4 0x6) 

A very good reflex catch from Rahul. It’s full on middle and leg, spins away. Thirimanne comes forward and looks to turn it to the leg side but gets a leading edge. Rahul leaps in the air and gets a hand to it, the ball loops and Rahul grabs it on the second attempt. It came at a fairely decent pace to him. Good reflexes. The bowling change worked for Kohli.

Kusal Perera is the new batsman.

Right! A double bowling change, Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack.

After 37 overs, Sri Lanka 105/4 (Mathews 44, Thirimanne 11)

Decent start from Mishra. Thirimanne used his feet straightaway and takes a single to long on. Mishra oversteps the next ball but then bowls a lovely delivery to beat Mathews’ outside edge two balls later. Two runs off the over.

Finally, a spinner into the attack. Amit Mishra has the ball. Surprising that Kohli has preferred Mishra over Ashwin at first…..

After 36 overs, Sri Lanka 103/4 (Mathews 44, Thirimanne 10)

Mathews is looking pretty positive in the middle. He thumps one uppishly through mid off for a boundary to bring up Sri Lanka’s 100. He then drives one crisply but straight to extra cover. Four runs off the over. Mathews has moved on to 44.

Binny continues…..

After 35 overs, Sri Lanka 97/4 (Mathews 40, Thirimanne 10)

A decent over from Ishant. He fluffs his lines just once in the over when he drifts onto the pads, Thirimanne clips it to mid-wicket for a couple. Ishant then comes from round the wicket and bowls a good back of a length delivery, Thirimanne fends it along the ground the short leg. 2 runs off the over.

Ishant continues. Still, no signs of a spinner….

After 34 overs, Sri Lanka 97/4 (Mathews 40, Thirimanne 8)

Nice probing over from Binny. Mathews is cautious and leaves, he thumps a full delivery straight back, but Binny does well to get a hand to it and restrict them to two. 2 runs off the over.

After 33 overs, Sri Lanka 95/4 (Mathews 38, Thirimanne 8)

Good disciplined over from Ishant. He concentrated on the outside off-off lines which are defended solidly. He then bowls the last one on middle and leg, Mathews flicks it to long leg for a single.

Ishant Sharma continues….

After 32 overs, Sri Lanka 94/4 (Mathews 37, Thirimanne 8)

Binny with a very good over. There were two deliveries that behaved contrastingly. One snaked off the surface and Thirimanne did well to fend it into the ground and the next one stayed low, it nipped away and Thirimanne missed on his poke. Binny then bowls a yorker and Thirimanne digs it out safely. Earlier, Thirimanne had flicked the first ball through mid-wicket for a couple, first signs of an aggressive shot from him.

After 31 overs, Sri Lanka 92/4 (Mathews 37, Thirimanne 6)

Nothing much happening for the bowlers now. Mathews and Thirimanne are comfortable in their defenses. Two singles off the over. Kohli might be thinking of introducing spin.

After 29 overs, Sri Lanka 90/4 (Mathews 36, Thirimanne 5)

A very good over from Binny. After a couple of singles, he beats Thirimanne’s outside edge and he looks to push at one. Two runs off the over. Binny’s discipline has been really good in this series.

Some news coming in after tempers flared yesterday.

After 29 overs, Sri Lanka 88/4 (Mathews 35, Thirimanne 4)

Yadav bowled a good mix of short and good length deliveries in that over. Thirimanne took a single off the first ball and Mathews defended the rest five.

Umesh Yadav continues….

After 28 overs, Sri Lanka 87/4 (Mathews 35, Thirimanne 3)

Binny doesn’t get much movement in his first over. Mathews growing in confidence as he drives one effortlessly through mid off for a boundary. He is solid in his defense from then on. The track is getting better for batting, Sri Lanka need a big partnership here.

Finally, a bowling change. Stuart Binny into the attack now.

After 27 overs, Sri Lanka 83/4 (Mathews 31, Thirimanne 3)

Thirimanne with a slight lapse of concentration in that over. Ishant was brilliant. He bowls a couple of sharp bouncers, the first one whizzes past Thirimanne’s gloves as he looks to leave it alone. The next one flicks his forearm on its way to the keeper. There is an appeal for a caught behind but the umpire rightly turns it down. Thirimanne then looks to drive on the up but is beaten by the away movement. A maiden over. Ishant has bowled really well in this series and he has been very consistent.

After 26 overs, Sri Lanka 83/4 (Mathews 31, Thirimanne 3)

Umesh didn’t get much movement but surprisingly, today, he’s been good with his lines and lengths. Mathews is cautious in his defense. A maiden over.

After 25 overs, Sri Lanka 83/4 (Mathews 31, Thirimanne 3)

An eventful over. There was a run out missed and Thirimanne gets hit on the hand. Run out missed! Mathews flicks one to mid-wicket, he sets off but Thirimanne hesitates, he then sets off and they decide to go for the single. Ashwin misses direct hit. Mathews had given up. Ishant then bowls a fiery bouncer, Thirimanne looks to fend but gets hit on the gloves. He is in some pain and the physio rushes out. Thirimanne lets the last one go through.

Ishant continues…

After 24 overs, Sri Lanka 81/4 (Mathews 30, Thirimanne 2)

Mathews is playing those flicks really well. On a couple of occasions, he doesn’t find the gap but then Umesh bowls a full one on middle and leg and Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 4 runs off the over.

After 23 overs, Sri Lanka 77/4 (Mathews 26, Thirimanne 2)

Good stuff from both Mathews and Thirimanne in that over. The didn’t look troubled. Mathews shuffles across and flicks one behind square leg for a single. Thirimanne then clips one to square leg for a couple and is assured in his defense off the next three balls.

After 22 overs, Sri Lanka 74/4 (Mathews 25, Thirimanne 0)

A brilliant over from Umesh. He takes the wicket of Silva and then troubles Thirimanne off three of next five balls. Thirimanne looks to cut but misses. He is then beaten by an outswinger, Umesh then bowls a probing delivery that Thirimanne leaves alone and he then bowls a ripper to again beat Thirimanne’s outside edge. A stifled LBW appeal is turned down. A wicket maiden!

OUT! Umesh strikes early. Poor shot and Silva departs.

Short outside off, with a touch of extra bounce. Silva rocks back for a pull but it gets big on him. He end’s up mistiming it to mid-wicket. Good start for India.

Lahiru Thirimanne is the new batsman.

After 21 overs, Sri Lanka 74/3 (Silva 27, Mathews 25)

Ishant’s NO BALL problems costs India a wicket here. He bowls an absolutely beautiful outswinger, Mathews is squared up and gets a thin outside edge to the keeper. But the umpire signals a NO ball, Ishant has overstepped. He is immaculate with his lines and lengths and Mathews is solid in his defense.

Ishant Sharma will bowl from the other end.

After 20 overs, Sri Lanka 73/3 (Silva 27, Mathews 25)

Good first over from Umesh. He concentrated on bringing the ball into the batsmen. Silva flicked one to deep square leg for a couple. Umesh got a hint of movement in that over.

Umesh Yadav will bowl from the other end. Two slips and two gullies in. place for him.

After 19 overs, Sri Lanka 71/3 (Silva 25, Mathews 25)

A good first over from Ashwin. Last evening, Mathews had cut the first ball close to his body just wide of the first slip fielder for a boundary. Here , after two defenses, he gets an outside edge along the ground just wide of that slip fielder again. He then used his feet and pushed one to long on for a single. Silva then got an inside edge and it went through the short leg fielder. There was some excitement. But it would have been a very difficult catch.

Right! Play about to get underway. Mathews & Silva are the overnight batsmen. Ashwin will complete the over.

Pitch report: The track has got better. It might take some turn but it’s going to be hardwork for the bowlers.

#TeamIndia members warming up before the start of play – @imVkohli @ImIshant @MishiAmit @ImRo45 @harbhajan_singh https://t.co/TmpAwdhnQK

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 1, 2015

India in Sri Lanka: Ishant goes all Nana Patekar in emotionally supercharged row with Prasad – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Tempers flared last evening as Ishant and Prasad were face to face against each other. Here’s an account of what happened.

India’s lower-middle order finally comes good to take Kohli’s men close to historic win – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Here’s Vinayakk on how India’s lower-middle order is finally coming good to take India close to ending their away drought.

India’s lower-middle order finally comes good to take Kohli’s men close to historic win – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India will be eyeing their first series win on Sri Lankan soil in 22 years by reducing the hosts to a shaky 67 for 3 after setting a daunting victory target of 386 in the third and final Test.

On day 4, resuming at the precarious overnight score of 21 for 3, India did well to score 274 in their second innings and then leave the islanders miserably placed on an eventful penultimate day.

India now need to take the remaining seven wickets on a fifth day track to record a historic Test series win. India had last won a Test series in Sri Lanka under Mohammed Azharuddin’s captaincy with a 1-0 verdict in 1993.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of day 5 of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India at the SSC, Colombo. Play starts at 9.45 am IST. Follow this space for live scores and updates.