India tighten their grip on first Test after Jadeja's unbeaten stand

By Sports Desk March 05, 2022

Ravindra Jadeja took up the mantle for India as his unbeaten 175 guided Rohit Sharma's side into a commanding position on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Rishabh Pant fell short of a century on day one in Mohali, but day two also belonged to the hosts, who were 446 runs ahead at stumps on Saturday.

Jadeja resumed on 45, yet the world's second-best Test batsman had ticked over 100 by the time lunch arrived, with India at 468-7 after ending day one on 357-6.

Ravichandran Ashwin reached 61 from 82 deliveries, with his stand including eight fours, before falling to Suranga Lakmal (2-90) in the first session.

Jayant Yadav was dismissed for two shortly after lunch, but Jadeja went on the offensive, putting on a century stand for the ninth-wicket alongside Mohammed Shami (20 not out) before Sharma declared on 574-8.

Virat Kohli, playing in his 100th Test, received a guard of honour from his team-mates as India headed out to field, though Sharma's hosts were made to wait for a breakthrough as Sri Lanka's openers started in solid fashion after tea.

That breakthrough came in the 19th over when Ashwin trapped Lahiru Thirimanne leg before wicket. The opener sent it upstairs, but the review merely confirmed the decision.

Dimuth Karunaratne (28) followed soon after, again unsuccessfully reviewing for an lbw decision, albeit this time on umpire's call.

Jasprit Bumrah thought he had bowled Pathum Nissanka, only to have overstepped his mark, but he got his wicket when Angelo Mathews was given out lbw, with the review again confirming umpire's call.

Dhananjaya de Silva also went lbw, attempting an unwise sweep from Ashwin as India capped off a fine day.

Sri Lanka's review misfortune

Sri Lanka fell foul of an umpire's call twice, so it would be harsh to say they wasted their reviews on trying to overturn the dismissals of Karunaratne and Mathews.

De Silva did not even attempt to get a reprieve from the technology, though Charith Asalanka did use one wisely to avoid being given out late on to Jadeja.

Jadeja stakes his claim

India's Jadeja is arguably the best all-rounder in world cricket at the moment, and he proved his quality with his exceptional knock, which included three sixes and 17 fours.

His 175 is a new personal high in Test cricket for the 33-year-old and came at a strike rate of 76.75. It might just have put this match beyond the tourists, too.

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