SL vs IND Galle Test: Mukund-Kohli extend India's lead to 498 runs

Galle: A dominant India extended the 309-run lead of the first inning to almost 500 runs on Day 3 against sloppy Sri Lankan bowling at the Galle International stadium here on Friday.

After wrapping up the Lankan side for 291 runs in reply to a humongous 600 in the first inning, India, refusing to give follow on, came in to bat and posted 189 runs for the loss of three wickets in 46.3 overs. The overall lead has reached 498 runs which may prove infeasible for the Lankan batsmen on a turning fourth day wicket.

After losing last inning’s centurians Shikhar Dhawan (15 off 15) and Cheteshwar Pujara (15 off 35) early, Abhinav Mukund and skipper Virat Kohli build a fantastic 133-run partnership, before the former departed at the individual score of 81 runs off 116 balls with 8 fours. He goty out on the last delivery of the day’s play.

Virat Kohli is still standing at the crease at 76 runs off 114 balls with the help of 5 boundaries and may declare the inning after completing his hundred on Day 4.

Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Kumara and Danushka Gunathilaka have bagged one wicket each.

Earlier, following a gritty unbeaten 92-run inning by Dilruwan Perera Sri Lanka managed to post 291 runs on the board giving a huge 309-run advantage to the visiting Indian team.

Pacer Mohammed Shami returned with figures of 2/45 for India while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja got 3/67.

Also Read: SL vs Ind 1st Test: India loses Dhawan-Pujara after restricting Lanka at 291

Perera and Angelo Mathews started the day on a steady note for Sri Lanka, handling the bowling of Umesh, Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin quite comfortably.

The duo batted out the first hour with ease, putting together a partnership of 72 runs.

Jadeja, however, got the breakthrough with the first over of his second spell when Mathews mistimed his drive while trying to smash the ball over the in-field cordon.

It was a poor shot selection from Mathews in the given situation. The right-hander produced an excellent knock of 83 runs, smashing 11 boundaries and a six during his 130-ball stay in the middle.

Perera, however, continued to fight on even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals at the other end.