India Need Another 153 Runs To Win Galle Test vs Lanka

14 August, Galle

India reached 23 for the loss of one wicket in their second innings at stumps on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium here Friday.

Chasing a target of 176 for an outright win in the first of the three-match Test rubber, India started poorly losing opener Lokesh Rahul (5) cheaply but Shikhar Dhawan (13) and night watchman Ishant Sharma (5) ensured India did not suffer any more hiccups towards the end of the day.

Dhawan, who scored a brilliant 134 in the first innings, had not taken the field the entire day due to an injury on his right hand.

For Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath sent back Rahul cheaply to get his first wicket of the match. The fall of Rahul brought pacer Ishant as the nightwatchman, who did well to survive a few nervous moments.

Earlier, the hosts were bowled out for 367 runs in their second innings.

Riding on a brilliant unbeaten century from keeper-batsman DineshChandimal (162), Sri Lanka managed to set a respectable total afterbeing decimated in the earlier sessions of the game.

Chandimal’s quickfire 162 came off just 169 deliveries and comprisedof 19 fours and four massive sixes.

Star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took six wickets in thefirst innings, once again led from the front with four wickets to get another10-wicket haul in Tests while leg-spinner Amit Mishra provided him amplesupport with three wickets and senior pro Harbhajan Singh finally managedto get a wicket.

The match also turned special for promising batsman Ajinkya Rahane,who set a new world record for eight catches by a non-wicketkeeper.