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Kohli shines in drawn match
India captain Virat Kohli hit his 50th international century before Sri Lanka escaped with a thrilling draw on the fifth and final day in Kolkata, on Monday.
Kolkata: India captain Virat Kohli hit his 50th international century before Sri Lanka escaped with a thrilling draw on the fifth and final day in Kolkata, on Monday.
Set 231 for victory, Sri Lanka finished on 75 for seven before play was called off due to bad light. Bhuvneshwar Kumar raised India's hopes as he picked up four for eight, while Mohammed Shami claimed two for 34.
Earlier, Kohli propped up his side's batting with an unbeaten 104 to register his 18th Test hundred, and 50th across formats, after paceman Suranga Lakmal's inspired spell in the first session had boosted Sri Lanka.
India, however, rode out the storm before declaring their second innings on 352 for eight immediately after Kohli hit a six to get to three figures, setting Sri Lanka 231 for victory.
India seamers Bhuvneshwar and Shami then removed Sri Lanka openers Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dimuth Karunaratne before the interval to leave the touring side wobbling on 8-2 in the rain-affected first of three Tests.
Sri Lanka paceman Suranga Lakmal's inspired spell on the fifth and final morning of their series opener gave his side hope of registering a maiden Test win on Indian soil on Monday.
The touring side have failed to record an away victory in 17 Tests against their hosts and will need quick wickets after lunch to end that run when India resume on 251 for five in their second innings, a lead of 129 with two sessions remaining.
At the break, India captain Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 41 with Ravichandran Ashwin yet to score at the other end. The 30-year-old Lakmal was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka in the first innings of the three-Test series with four wickets and he returned to haunt the world's top-ranked side with a triple strike in the second.
After resuming on 171-1, India were cruising, before Lakmal got a delivery to jag back off the seam and breach KL Rahul's defence to dismiss the right-hander for 79. Lakmal then sent back the dependable Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the same over to reduce the hosts to 213-4.
Dilruwan Perera dived forward to complete a brilliant catch to dismiss Pujara for 22, while Rahane was out leg before without scoring. Kohli, who appeared unsure of his footwork at the start of his innings, then added 36 for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja to steady the ship before his partner perished to off-spinner Perera shortly before lunch.
Sri Lanka still face an uphill battle to force a result in the contest, needing to remove five more Indian batsman before chasing down a manageable target with a minimum of 69 overs remaining in the day's play.
