COLOMBO: India’s intentions were clear—to get as many runs as possible in as many less overs as manageable. Hence, both Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane started in brisk fashion, against a Sri Lankan attack bereft of imagination or control.
On the last session of the third day, both batsmen were content milking the bowlers, there runs coming at less than three per over. But on Sunday, they increased the tempo, though without taking too many risks. It began with Rahane latching onto anything that was marginally pitched short of full. He whipped Rangana Herath through midwicket before lofting him over cover. Shortly, he brought up his half century with a reverse sweep off Tharindu Kaushal. In between, he didn’t miss out on any opportunity for quick singles or doubles. India’s approach was all the more justifiable, as there is forecast of rain on Sunday as well as Monday.
Vijay consume more time to get going. His first boundary was a streaky one over the slips. Followed a couple of futile attempts to step down the track. But the introduction of Dushmantha Chameera gave him an opportunity to get going. He pulled him over midwicket for a six. In the next over, he heaved Kaushal over midwicket. Thus in the first hour, India added 68 runs in 13.4 overs, Vijay scoring 40 runs in 38 balls and adding 28 runs in 44 balls.
But after the break, Sri Lanka put brakes on India’s scoring by dismissing Vijay, lbw to Kaushal from around the stumps, thus ending a 140 run-partnership. He then took out Virat Kohli through the same method. First, it seemed a run-squeezing ploy, but Kaushal’s ball that held its line after pitching proved useful. He almost had Rohit Sharma first ball, but the edge fell between the two short-leg fielders.
The second hour may not have gone India’s way, with only 35 runs yielding in 13 overs. But the lead (266) has assumed a sizeable proportion already. Sri Lanka are already chasing the second highest total on this ground.