Page 42 - The Indian EYE 031822

SpORTS MARCH 18, 2022 | The Indian Eye 42

Sri Lanka tour of india

a great game, massive win and big

show by Jadeja and ashwin

India won the first Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs. Now, India and Sri Lanka will
now lock horns in a day-night Test, beginning March 12 in Bengaluru

OuR BuREAu
Mohali/Bengaluru
ndia skipper Rohit Sharma ex-
pressed happiness, after his side
idefeated Sri Lanka here at the
Punjab Cricket Association, IS Bin-
dra Stadium, Mohali on Sunday to
take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the
two-match Test series.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichan-
dran Ashwin bagged four wickets in
2nd innings, as India defeated Sri
Lanka by an innings and 222 runs
in the first Test. “It was a good start.
It was a great game of cricket from
our perspective. We ticked all the
boxes we wanted to. To be honest I
didn’t think it is going to be that kind
of a Test match that would get over
in three days. It was a good batting
pitch, there was some turn and some
assistance for the seamers as well. A
lot of credit to the guys, they bowled
very well in tandem, kept the pres-
sure and never made it easier for the
Sri Lanka batsmen. We just ensured
we applied pressure from both ends.
Good signs for India cricket,” said
Rohit after the first Test ended. Ravichandran Ashwin in action on the 2nd day of the first test match (ANI Photo)
“Lot of performances, landmark
Test match for Virat and we wanted the list of all-time highest wicket-tak- Dickwella was losing partners at 434 Test wickets to become India’s
to come out here and win the Test er in Tests. the other end so he started playing second-highest wicket-taker in the
first and foremost. It was heartening Five balls later Sri Lanka lost shots but Mohammed Shami dis- longest format of the game.
to see such big individual perfor- Angelo Mathews for 28 to Ravin- missed Vishwa Fernando for a duck Ashwin achieved the feat on Day
mances. No thought process, it was dra Jadeja’s leg before wicket and to leave the Islanders at 170/9. 3 of the ongoing first Test against Sri
about making the most of the bowl- then two balls later Suranga Lakmal Dickwella went on to score his Lanka here in Mohali. Charith As-
ing options we have and we want to hold out by Jayant Yadav in mid-on half-century and was the only Lank- alanka became Ashwin’s 435th Test
have other options as well. We want- without troubling the scorers. Jadeja an batter to do so in 2nd innings. scalp. Earlier on Day 3, Ashwin had
ed to make sure he (Jayant) gets got two wickets in one over to take Ashwin finally dismissed no.11 batter equalled Kapil Dev’s tally.
some overs,” he added. his innings tally to three wickets and Lahiru Kumara for 4 caught by Sha- Anil Kumble is India’s highest
Resuming post Tea session at match tally to eight to leave visitors mi as he took his fourth scalp and Sri wicket-taker in Tests with 619 scalps.
120/4 the Indian spinners continued tottering at 121/7. Lanka was bowled out for 178 in 2nd Ashwin on Sunday said that he
their wicket-taking spree as Ravi- Wicket-keeper batter Niroshan innings to succumb to a defeat by an is very grateful for what the game
chandran Ashwin dismissed Charith Dickwella and Lasith Embuldeni- innings and 222 runs. of cricket has given him so far. Ash-
Asalanka in the third ball post-tea ya tried hard to delay the inevitable win’s comments came after India
caught by Virat Kohli making him striking a small partnership and tak- aSHWin becomeS india’S defeated Sri Lanka in the first Test
his 435th Test victim and going past ing their team’s total beyond the 150- Second-HigHeSt Wicket- of the two-match series. During the
Kapil Dev to become India’s second run mark. Jadeja once again broke process, Ashwin went past Kapil Dev
most successful Test bowler behind the partnership picking up his fourth taker in teStS to become India’s second-highest
Anil Kumble who has 619 Test scalps wicket of the innings dismissing Em- Ravichandran Ashwin on Sun- wicket-taker in Tests. “28 years ago,
to his name. Ashwin is now ninth in buldeniya for 2. day went past Kapil Dev’s tally of Continued at next page... >>

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