Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test Day 2 - 5 talking points

Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test Day 2 – 5 talking points: Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test Day 2 at stumps read Sri Lanka on 140/3 trailing by 253 runs with 7 wickets in hand batting after India’s 393 that came up rather unexpectedly. The match started with the tail enders on the crease for the Indian side, but a half century by Wriddhiman Saha saved the day with Indian innings closing at 393/10 which began with 319/6 as the day commenced. Amit Mishra, being another reason for the decent lead with his 24 runs and a 46-run partnership with Saha.

The Sri Lanka batting began with a blow as Dimuth Karunaratne lost his wicket in the first over. On the bright side, Kaushal Silva played a saving innings scoring 51 runs, along with Sangakkara who scored 32 runs.

Here is Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test Day 2: 5 talking points:

1. Saha’s half-century:

Wriddhiman Saha yet again gave Indian lower order batting the climb it needed. Beginning at 319/6 with no set batsman on the crease, the Indian innings was destined to end sooner than it did. Saha’s 50 came up at the right time for the Indian side that reached close to the 400 mark.

Saha annoyed the hosts when he survived two close calls, and kept on scoring. Saha’s 56 came off 117 deliveries as he and Amit Mishra continued an unexpected partnership of 46 runs, ruining the Sri Lankan plan of calling it a day for the Indian batsmen early today. Saha left the side at 386/9 losing his wicket to Rangana Herath.

2. Stiff India tail:

Day 2 of the 2^nd Test began with the Indian scoreboard reading 319/6, the damage had already been done by the end of the first day with set batsmen being sent back to the pavilion by the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Indian bowlers gave Saha enough support, for him to get to his 2nd 50 and India close to 400. Amit Mishra scored 24 from 50 balls, taking risks and getting away with the boundaries. Ishant Sharma although scored just 2 runs hung there, facing 21 deliveries to support the batsman on the other side. The combined effort landed India to a score of 393/10 in 114 overs.

3. Silva’s 50:

Sri Lanka trailing by 393 lost their first wicket in the first over of their innings when Umesh Yadav got rid of Dimuth Karunaratne with the scoreboard reading 1-1. Kaushal Silva saved the day for Sri Lanka with 51 runs off 118 deliveries.

Kumar Sangakkara, playing his last international match supported the right-hand batsman, as both went on to have a partnership of 74 runs. Silva lost his wicket at the score of 114-3 for Sri Lanka.

4. Ashwin – Sangakkara:

For the third time in as many innings, the battle between the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and India’s leading spinner Ravichandaran Ashwin continued.

The Ashwin – Rahane combination did the wonder of getting Sangakkara webbed once again. The ball was tossed up on the off Sanga played forward to defend, and the turn induced the edge and the rest was done by a flying Rahane. Sanga departed scoring 32 off 87 deliveries.

5. Match hangs in balance after Day 2:

The 2^nd Day of the 2^nd Test at Colombo ended at balance for both the teams. Sri Lanka have kept the batting in equilibrium as the day folded at a score of 140/3 with two set batsmen Captain Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne still at the crease batting on 19* and 28* runs respectively. The trail and lead won’t be a matter of concern if these two manage to hang on for tomorrow. The Sri Lankan batsmen have played a decent inning so far which gives the hosts stability in the game.

The Indian side has similar chances of winning the Test match if the bowlers successfully get rid of the two set batsmen especially Mathews who scored 64 and 39 in the 1^st Test. With most of the Lankan batsmen back to the pavilion, India has its own advantages. Umesh, Ashwin and Mishra bowling well for the Indian side is an added advantage.