Sri Lanka struggle at 65/5 vs India

Galle, Aug 12:

Indian bowlers struck early in quick succession to have Sri Lanka wobbling at 65/5 at lunch on day one of the first match of the three-Test series at Galle International Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, hosts skipper Angelo Mathews hoped to see his team get a good start on a sunny morning but the Indian bowlers had other plans.

Leg-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck thrice while pacers Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron picked one wicket each to have Lanka in deep trouble.

Keeping in mind the dry and hard pitch, India skipper Virat Kohli went in with five bowlers (three spinners and two pacers).

Besides pacers Ishant and Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra were the three spin options.

Just after the start of play, Ishant and Aaron struck once each to send both openers Dimuth Karunaratne (9) and Kaushal Silva (5) packing within eight overs of the day’s play to push the hosts on to the back foot.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 15/2 in 7.1 overs then.

After the pacers gave India dual strike, off-spinner Ashwin joined the party claiming the vital wicket of veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara (5). Sangakkara is playing his penultimate Test.

Soon after the wicket of Sangakkara, the experienced spinner struck twice in quick succession, removing Lahiru Thirimanne (13) and Jehan Mubarak (0) to send Lanka reeling at 60/5 in 21.3 overs.

Lanka skipper Mathews (26) and Dinesh Chandimal (5) remained unbeaten at the crease at lunch.