SL vs Ind, 1st Test: Dhawan translates his ODI form in Tests, misses double ton

Galle: It seems that star Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has gone past off his bad days and is having date with every format of Cricket. This time in red-ball Cricket, typical Dhawan is doing things in ODI style.

Virat Kohli led Indian Cricket team rode on a ton and fifty of Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara to post 280 runs after 54.1 overs in the second session on the opening day of first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle International stadium here on Wednesday.

Dhawan thrown away his wicket when he was just 10 runs behind his first double ton. The entire Indian dressing team was on its feet when he walked off. Dhawan had made an attempt to hit Pradeep over mid-off but failed to execute the same. Dhawan, who was playing a gem of a knock, hit 31 fours in his 168-ball inning.

Pujara is showing some fine hands with the bat at 74. He is accompanied with skipper Kohli at the crease.

Pacer Dilruwan Perera bagged the only wicket to fall in the morning session in the form of Indian opener Abhinav Mukund.

Mukund fell victim to a poor shot selection when he dabbed at a delivery outside the off-stump only to see wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella latch onto the outside edge.

Electing to bat on winning the toss, the visitors were off to a steady start with Dhawan and Mukund handling the Lankan pacers quite comfortably.

The Indian openers were a bit cautious in the opening two overs before Dhawan brought up the first boundary of the innings with a straight drive off pacer Nuwan Pradeep.

The Lankan pacers were unable to trouble the Indians, who continued to bat comfortably, hitting the occasional boundary.

Also read: Sri Lanka vs India, 1st Test, Match Preview | Watch live streaming here

Mukund was struggling a bit, although he hit two boundaries off pacer Lahiru Kumara during his 26-ball stay in the middle. But the left-hander virtually gifted his wicket to Pradeep when he decided to go after a ball which moved away slightly after pitching.

Pujara joined Dhawan and enjoyed some early luck when he edged Pradeep off the second ball he faced but the ball went for a boundary after landing wide of the slip cordon.

Dhawan however, continued to display excellent form at the other end, finding the fence at regular occasions.

Pujara soon settled his nerves and gave Dhawan excellent support at the other end as the Indians went into the break having grabbed the early advantage.