India vs Sri Lanka: 1st Test

India beat Sri Lanka by a whopping 304 runs inside of 4 days. The match at Galle, a unique stadium by the sea, with a fort overlooking the playing field instead of a usual sight of empty stands that we are accustomed to seeing in tests, was the setting for the 1st test between India and Sri Lanka.

DAY 1: INDIAN DOMINANCE

DHAWAN’S BLITZKREIG

Very rarely since the days of Virender Sehwag, have India headed abroad for a test match and been in such a commanding position at stumps on the first day. Illness to KL Rahul saw Dhawan drafted into the eleven as an opener and he sent the Sri Lankan fielders on a leather hunt, notching up at unbeaten 126 runs in the first session.

Dhawan had been dropped on 31 and his luck further increased in the post lunch session when the oppositions third spinner, Asela Gunaratne suffered a fractured thumb and was subsequently ruled out of the series.

When Dhawan's luck finally ran out in the 55th over, when he attempted to clear the infield but ended up hitting the cherry to mid on. Dhawan had scored 190 runs of 168 balls with an astonishing 31 boundaries.  India was on 286 runs scoring in excess of  5 an over, which is something that ODI teams would be proud of.

His 190 bought back memories of of Sehwag's 195 at the MCG in 2003. In that innings, India didn’t have any substantial contribution from the middle order to build on the foundation.

Here at Galle, Cheteshwar Pujara laid anchor and ensured there wasn't a batting collapse. The "new wall" was unbeaten at 144 from 240 odd - a more conventional test innings which built on the foundation laid by Dhawan. With Virat Kohli falling cheaply Sri Lanka would've been hoping that would be the foot in the door they so desperately needed, but it was not to be. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara saw out the rest of the day. Nuwan Pradeep was the only bowler to pick up wickets on he first day.

At 399-3 India had the Sri Lankans on the mat.

DAY 2

THE LANKAN FIGHTBACK: PRADEEP GETS SOME SUPPORT

Overnight rain helped make the pitch lively and Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough.  Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed shortly after crossing the 150 run mark by guess who - Nuwan Pradeep. Ajinkya Rahane followed him back to the pavilion. Nuwan Pradeep would have been the happiest man on the field as this was the first Indian wicket not picked up by him- he finally had some support.

The Indian tail order contributed in excess of 100 runs with Hardik Pandya scoring a half century on debut. He was ably supported by Ravindra Jadeja(15 from 24), Mohammed Shami(30 from 30) and Umesh Yadav(11 from 10) as India recovered from 495-7 and reached the 600 run mark

WICKETS AT REGULAR INTERVALS

Sri Lanka were facing a mammoth 600 run deficit. They lost the early wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne . The Indian pacers got breakthroughs at regular intervals and dented the Sri Lankan top order.

Sri Lanka finished the day at 154-5 trailing India by 446 runs and needing a further 247 with 4 wickets in hand to avoid the follow on- Asela Gunaratne has been ruled out of the match and as per injured players cannot be replaced.

DAY 3

THE PERERA AND JADEJA SHOW

Much was expected of Angelo Matthews, if Sri Lanka were to have a good first innings total. He played well for his 83. Dilruwan Perera remained unbeaten on 92 and was extremely unfortunate to miss out on what would have been a maiden test century. He batted gamely and  shepherded the tail to help Sri Lanka reach 291. Jadeja picked up 3 of the 4 wickets that fell and was the star bowler of the morning session.

BATTING OUT THE OPPOSITION

India had a massive 309 run lead and predictably decided against enforcing the follow on. This was a smart tactic by India to give their bowlers some rest and to tire out the opposition. By batting again India would maximise their lead and leave Sri Lanka facing huge chase.

Pitches in the sub continent deteriorate drastically on the fourth and fifth day and if Sri Lanka got a lead, India did not want to be chasing in the 4^th innings.

India lost 1^st innings heroes Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara early. Opener Abhinav Mukund and captain Virat Kohli put on a 133 run 3^rd wicket stand. Mukund’s half century cemented his place in the Indian test team for the series,(Dhawan’s first innings score had many calling for him to leap over Abhinav Mukund as the first choice opener to partner KL Rahul who was set to regain his place in the second test)

Mukund was dismissed for on the last ball of the day. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 72, with India 189-3 runs ahead.

DAY 4

INDIA ALL THE WAY

India came out all guns blazing. Virat Kohli raced to his 17^th Test Century and 10^th as captain. With Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease, India scored 51 runs in the 6.3 overs they batted on the day.

Facing a daunting task of scoring 550 runs to win with 179 overs left, the Sri Lankan batsmen would have to occupy the  crease for long periods of time.

The Indian pacers made early breakthroughs removing top order batsmen Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka in the first six overs itself.

THE SPIN TWINS SHOW

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja split the next 6 wickets between themselves. The duo were getting the ball to spin viciously and an Indian win on Day 4 was looking more and more likely with each passing minute.

Nirohan Dickwella and Dimuth Kanuratne put on a huge 101 run 5^th wicket stand. The duo were the only roadblocks and the sole reason India needed 76.5 overs to wrap up the win. Due to Rangana Herath and Asela Gunaratne being unable to bat that 8^th wicket (Lahiru Kumara's top edged slog sweep to mid-on) was the last. India won the match by picking up just 17 Sri Lankan wickets across the two innings.

Shikhar Dhawan, for his magnificent first innings performance was awarded the Man of the Match award.

The second test match begins on 3rd August at the SSC Ground, Colombo.