Agency
COLOMBO: India virtually batted Sri Lanka out of the second Test by crossing the 600-run mark for the second game in a row, setting themselves up for another big win on a pitch that is offering plenty to the spinners.
India, resuming the day at 344 for three, went on to declare at 622 for nine post tea, thanks to half centuries from Ravichandran Ashwin (54 off 92), Wriddhiman Saha (67 off 134) and Ravindra Jadeja (70 not out off 85).
Overnight centurions Cheteshwar Pujara (133) and Ajinkya Rahane (132) could not add much to their overnight score.
In reply to India’s mammoth total, Sri Lanka were left reeling at 50 for two at stumps with Ravichandran Ashwin taking both the wickets.
The hosts face a daunting task of saving the game and also the series with Ashwin and Jadeja making the ball talk on a helping surface.
Ashwin, especially, looked well and truly back in his elements and bowled brilliantly to the left-handers.
He dismissed opener Upul Tharanaga for a duck as the southpaw whipped one straight into the abdomen of Rahul, who did well to latch on to the ball.
A little later, Ashwin sent back Tharanga’s opener partner Dimuth Karunaratne (25) with the one that took the outside edge on way to the first slip.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal (8) came to the crease and looked aggressive while batting alongside Kusal Mendis (16) as Sri Lanka avoided further loss until close of play.
Earlier, the middle and lower order fired to take India beyond 600.
Ashwin, batting at number six, struck his 11 Test fifty on his way to becoming the fourth Indian to complete a double of 200 wickets and 2000 runs.
He also became the fourth quickest in Test history to get to the milestone in 51 Tests, after Ian Botham (England, 42 Tests), Kapil Dev (India, 50 Tests) and Imran Khan (Pakistan, 50 Tests).
Post tea, Jadeja and Saha looked to score some quick runs. The left-hander smashed three fours and a six as he raced to his eighth Test half-century off 70 balls.
At the other end, Saha looked to attack as well, but he was stumped off Rangana Herath (4-154) in the 153rd over. It was the first instance of six half-centuries in one innings in a Test on Lankan soil and the second time for India after 2007 at the Oval.
