IND vs SL Live: 1st Test, Day 3 – India bowled out for 172

18 November 2017, 11:58 AM

Match will resume in a while, after the Lunch break.

18 November 2017, 11:34 AM

Cheteshwar Pujara top scored for India with a well constructed 52. He got fleeting supports Wriddhiman Saha (29), who partnered with Ravindra Jadeja (22) to thwart the Lankan attack for some time. Indian tail did well, considering how the top order had failed.

For Lanka, Suranga Lakmal took four, of those three came during that magical Day 1 spell.  Lahiru Gamage, Dasun Shanaka and  Dilruwan Perera took a brace of wickets each.

18 November 2017, 11:31 AM

Over 59.3 || Score 172 All Out (Umesh Yadav 6)

After a thrilling cameo from Mohammed Shami, Indian innings folded for 172 runs. Shami hit 24 runs from 22 balls with the help of three fours.

Wicket: Mohammed Shami c Dasun Shanaka b Lahiru Gamage 24(22)

18 November 2017, 11:13 AM

Over 57 || Score 149/9 (Mohammed Shami 6; Umesh Yadav 1)

India lose another wicket, in the form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Suranga Lakmal getting his fourth scalp in the innings. Unplayable. Edged and caught, similar to the one that undone Lokesh Rahul on Day 1.

Wicket: Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Niroshan Dickwella b Suranga Lakmal 13(17)

Umesh Yadav is the last man for India.

18 November 2017, 10:54 AM

Over 52 || Score 128/8 (Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1; Mohammed Shami 0)

India in deep trouble. A double-wicket over. First, Ravindra Jadeja. LBW. The initial decision was not out, probably considering the height of the bounce. But the Lankans took the review, and it’s hitting middle.

Wicket: Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Dilruwan Perera 22(37)

That happened off the second ball of the 52nd over.

Then, two balls later, Wriddhiman Saha got out in a strange manner. He played a paddle sweep, and ended up offering a catch at first slip. Huge shout, for whatever. Lankans took another review, going for LBW. But during the review, the replay showed a spike and with a clean catch, Saha’s gone.

Wicket: Wriddhiman Saha c Angelo Mathews b Dilruwan Perera 29(83)

India are in deep trouble, indeed.

18 November 2017, 10:30 AM

Over 48 || Score 121/6 (Wriddhiman Saha 25; Ravindra Jadeja 20)

A fledgling partnership of 42 runs between Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja helps India add crucial runs before TEA.

18 November 2017, 10:24 AM

Meanwhile, here’s one update on umpire Richard Kettleborough. He’s down with a throat infection, and pulled out of day three’s play. He has been replaced by West Indies’ Joel Wilson, who accompanied Nigel Long.

18 November 2017, 10:13 AM

Here’s how Team India saluted Pujara on his 16th Test fifty. Incredible sight.

18 November 2017, 10:13 AM

Over 44 || Score 106/6 (Wriddhiman Saha 20; Ravindra Jadeja 12)

There’s some urgency in the scoring rate for India with the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja. He’s making sweet connections. Meanwhile, India crossed the 100-run mark with a four off the first ball of the 43rd over, hit by Jadeja off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal.

18 November 2017, 09:43 AM

Over 38 || Score 79/6 (Wriddhiman Saha 6; Ravindra Jadeja 0)

Shocker for India! Cheteshwar Pujara departs minutes after completing his 16th Test fifty. Bowled by Lahiru Gamage. Ball breached through the bat and pad gap.

Wicket: Pujara b Gamage 52(117)

That happened off the second ball of the 38th over, and Ravindra Jadeja is the new man for India. He recently scored a double hundred in Ranji Trophy, so to say.

18 November 2017, 09:24 AM

Over 33 || Score 79/5 (Cheteshwar Pujara 52; Wriddhiman Saha 6)

Cheteshwar Pujara starts with a single off the very first delivery as Lahiru Gamage completes his 12th over. Gamage was stranded yesterday with a delivery still left in his 12th over.

Then, Pujara completes his fifty with a four off the fifth ball of the next over. A brilliantly timed glance shot. That’s his 16th Test fifty.

18 November 2017, 09:13 AM

Ashish Nehra gets the bell ringing. Umpires and players are out in the centre. Let’s hope for a good day of cricket.

18 November 2017, 09:10 AM

The Eden Gardens top still has plenty to grass. And luckily there’s no rain today.

18 November 2017, 08:54 AM

We have the first glimpse of Pujara warming up. It will be a huge day for him, and India. Play will start at 9:15 AM IST, yes, if rain gods permit.

Day 2 recap:

Cheteshwar Pujara came to India’s rescue after Sri Lankan seamer Dasun Shanaka’s twin strike had left the hosts gasping at 74 for five on a second consecutive rain-curtailed day.

After Suranga Lakmal’s (3/5) exploits on the first day of the rain-affected series opener, it was Shanaka’s turn to steal the limelight today as he removed Ajinkya Rahane (4) and Ravichandran Ashwin (4) to return with impressive figures of 2 for 23.

Pujara was the lone Indian batsmen to produce some fight against the Sri Lankan bowling attack on a green top in overcast conditions.

Pujara displayed impeccable defensive technique again and struck only the errant deliveries to score during his unbeaten 47-run knock.

Shanaka took both the wickets in the morning but Pujara anchored India’s first innings on testing overcast conditions at the Eden Gardens.

Coming on to bat at the score of eight, Pujara faced 102 deliveries and struck nine fours in his knock, three runs away from what could be a memorable half-century as the India No 3 built his innings with supreme resolve.

Local lad Wriddhiman Saha showed enough grit and determination to help India avoid further blemish yesterday, lunch coming 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time thanks to the relentless rain.

The heavens continued to pour, which meant no play was possible after lunch forcing the umpires to call off day’s proceedings prematurely again.

Only 21 overs’ play was possible yesterday, and with 11.5 on Day 1, the match has already lost 147 overs.

For the record, this is the first Test for Lanka at Eden Gardens, and they are looking for maiden win in India.