India vs Sri Lanka: Ravindra Jadeja hits 175, shines with the ball on Day 2 as hosts seize control of 1st Test
India Today
India vs Sri Lanka: Ravindra Jadeja showcased his improved battling prowess once again as he hit his highest Test score of 175 to help India post 574/8 declared on Day 2 of the series opener. Sri Lanka were reduced to 108/4 at Stumps after R Ashwin picked up 2 wickets.
India took control of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka after Ravindra Jadeja's record-setting 175 not out helped the hosts post a mammoth total of 574/8 before captain Rohit Sharma called for declaration. In response, Sri Lanka were reduced to 108/4 in 43 overs at Stumps as India dominated the proceedings on Saturday at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
R Ashwin picked up 2 wickets while Ravindra Jadeja got the big scalp of Sri Lanka capstan Dimuth Karunaratne and Jasprit Bumrah the wicket of senior batter Angelo Matthews as India had Sri Lanka in trouble. Young Pathum Nissanka (26*), who looked solid in the middle, holds the key if Sri Lanka are to avoid a follow-on.
Both teams began the day wearing black armbands and observing a minute's silence to pay their tributes to legendary cricketer Shane Warne who passed away aged 52 at a Thailand villa on Friday.
India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 2: Highlights
India will be hoping that their first innings was the only time they need to bat in the Test series opener as the lower-middle order made sure India posted in excess of 400 for the first time in 23 Test. Ravindra Jadeja, in a fitting tribute to one of his earliest mentors Warne, hit 175 not out, his career-best score in Test cricket.
Jadeja also broke Kapil Dev's record for the highest score while batting at No. 7. However, he was not able to complete his maiden double hundred as Rohit declared, forcing early Tea on Day 2 of the 1st Test in Mohali.
Resuming from ther overnight score of 357/6, India got off to a steady start on Saturday with Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin keeping the scoreboard moving. While Ashwin was not missing out on opportunities to put bad balls away, Jadeja took his time, making sure India wore the Sri Lankan bowling attack, which was without an injured Lahiru Kumara, down.
