Ind vs SL 2nd Test: Lanka bundled up for 205; India 11/1 at stumps

Nagpur: An irresistible spin attack led by world's most promising duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja helped India bundle up a shaky Sri Lankan side for mere 205 runs in the first inning of the second Test being played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka never looked to be in the match as Indian bowlers kept getting breakthroughs at regular intervals.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (13 off 15) was the first to depart as Cheteshwar Pujara took a brilliant catch at the first slip off the bowling of Ishant Sharma, while Lahiru Thirimanne (9 off 58) spent good time at the crease but could never got himself going and was trapped in front of the wickets by Ashwin.

Angelo Mathews (10 off 20) also failed to do any good for Lanka this time and was given LBW of the bowling of Jadeja. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne tried his best to get the team out of pressure but could only last till 51 runs off 147 deliveries with 6 boundaries. He got LBW off the bowling of Ishant Sharma.

Niroshan Dickwella, who was part of a bitter sledging banter in the previous match in Kolkata, also failed to live up to the expectations despite scoring at a better strike rate than the other Lankan batsmen. He scored 24 runs off 30 balls with 4 fours. He was caught by Ishant Sharma off the bowling of Jadeja as he was trying to play the ball over the fielder.

Dasun Shanaka (2 off 15) was next to depart as Ashwin bowled a terrific delivery to knock off his off stump. Dilruwan Perera scored 15 runs off 21 balls with 1 six but could not support his skipper Dinesh Chandimal who was looking at the wickets leaking from the other end. He was trapped in front of the wickets by Jadeja.

Also Read: Nagpur Test: India restrict Sri Lanka to 47/2 at lunch on Day 1

Soon Chandimal also lost his cool and tried to play a reverse-sweep to Jadeja, leaving himself in front of the wickets. The ball hit his pad and he was given LBW subsequently. He, however, was the highest scorer with 57 runs off 122 deliveries with 4 fours and a six.

Suranga Lakmal was caught behind the wickets by Wriddhiman Saha off the bowling of Ishant Sharma. He scored crucial 17 runs off 25 deliveries which helped Lanka touch the 200-run mark. Rangana Herath, who scored a vital half-century in the first Test, failed this time and was the last man to be dismissed. He scored 4 runs off 23 deliveries before finally edging Ashwin's delivery into the hands of Ajinkya Rahane at the first slip.

This was Ashwin's 296^th wicket in 54^th Test match. He was also the pick of the bowlers for India as he bagged four wickets, while Jadeja and Ishant took three wickets each. Umesh Yadav, though bowled 16 overs, but remained wicket-less today.

India does not have any mighty task to fulfill but they might face trouble in scoring freely at a wicket like this which is offering help to the spinners.

Before the end of first day of play, India had lost one wicket in form of Lokesh Rahul (7 off 13), while Murali Vijay (2 off 28) and Cheteshwar Pujara (2 off 7) are batting at the crease. India trail by 194 runs with 9 wickets in hand.