Live
- Cabinet approves Rs 1,000 crore VC fund to propel space sector, boost employment
- Vadodara fee regulation committee approves 5 pc hike for 76 schools
- Nigerian President reshuffles Cabinet
- Centre Gives Nod For Construction of Amaravati Railway Line
- Sensex ends flat, Hindustan Unilever among top losers
- Adani Total Gas clocks 7 pc jump in net profit at Rs 186 crore in Q2, revenue up 12 pc
- 2nd Test: Washington picks career-best 7-59 as India bowl out NZ for 259
- Priyanka Gandhi bullish on PSU stocks, relies on govt companies for returns
- Israel strikes Hezbollah weapon facilities in Beirut's southern suburb: IDF
- SC declines to initiate contempt action against UP officials for defying freeze on demolitions
Rahul sparkles with ton
Rahul sparkles with ton. A combined batting effort highlighted by opener Lokesh Rahul\'s fine knock of 108 runs propelled India to 319 for 6 against Sri Lanka at stumps on day one of the second Test match here on Thursday.
Colombo: A combined batting effort highlighted by opener Lokesh Rahul's fine knock of 108 runs propelled India to 319 for 6 against Sri Lanka at stumps on day one of the second Test match here on Thursday.
.jpg)
Rahul top-scored for the visitors, ably supported by skipper Virat Kohli (78). Middle-order bat Rohit Sharma also played a delightful innings of 79 runs but lost his wicket in what was to be the last ball of the day.
His partner at the other end wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha remained unbeaten at 19 runs. For Sri Lanka, medium-pacer Dhammika Prasad (2/72) and spinner Rangana Herath (2/73) bagged two wickets each.
After electing to bat, India were jolted in the very first over as Prasad trapped opener Murali Vijay (0) leg before wicket in the fourth delivery. The ball swung back in and struck the opener on the front pad right in line with the stumps.
Prasad was at it again as he got rid of Ajinkya Rahane (4) too in quick succession after he edged a wide one to the slips. Tottering at 12 for 2, it was Rahul and the skipper who took on the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. Both were a little circumspect from the start, letting go off the moving leather whenever possible.
Rahul emulated his captain and got into the groove, hitting delightful boundaries as the red ball began to lose its shine. After lunch, the Kohli-Rahul pair continued where they left. Both batsmen latched onto anything loose that was bowled. The otherwise quiet Rahul matched Virat stroke-for-stroke.
It was Herath who finally broke the partnership of 164 runs. Kohli finally got out for 78, edging one to Mathews. The next man in Rohit looked quite steady from the start blocking a few of the middle of the bat. Rohit then easily neglected the home team's attack to remain unconquered at tea.
In the post-tea session, Rahul threw away his wicket soon after getting to his ton, top edging a bouncer from Dushmantha Chameera, which was easily lapped up by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.
Brief score: India 1st innings 319 for 6 ( Lokesh Rahul 108, Virat Kohli 78, Rohit Sharma 79, Dhammika Prasad 2/72, Rangana Herath 2/73)
