IND vs SL 2017: Third Test, Day 3: Mathews - Chandimal take Sri Lanka to 356/9

Chandimal & Mathews added 181 together.

Chandimal and Mathews added a 181 run stand. (Zee Media)

Sri Lanka still trail by 180 as they finish Day 3 on 356 for 9. Sri Lanka started the morning at 131for 3 with the duo starting afresh today morning. Mathews scored his eighth Test ton with Dinesh Chandimal bringing up ninth Test ton and finishing the day on a high.

Chandimal and  Mathews in the process stitched along a 181 run partnership which helped Sri Lanka bounce back in the Test match. It was a far better day of Test cricket at the Kotla as none of the Sri Lankan players had any problem in adjusting to the conditions. Sri Lanka batted for two full sessions without losing a wicket for the very first time in this Test match. It was some defiant batting from the two senior Sri Lankan statesmen which disallowed India to break through easily.

See More: IND vs SL day 2 Report

India however came back strong in the post lunch session as they managed to plug away with the wickets. The wicket of Angelo started the trail with the Indian bowlers coming back into the match. Sadeera Samaraweera then added  61 runs for the fifth wicket before being dismissed by Ishant Sharma off Wriddhiman Saha  who held on to an important catch after India missed a couple of chances earlier in the day. Ashwin then picked up two quick wickets including one of Niroshan Dickwella to expose the Sri Lankan tail. Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage were then dismissed by Shami and Jadeja respectively with Sri Lanka finishing the day being just a wicket away from being bundled out.

See More: Indian cricketers salary increased 

The Indian bowlers who were made to work hard in the first two sessions of the Test match finally had the last laugh as they dismissed the Sri Lankan tail in quick succession. It was a unified effort by the Indian bowlers which helped India to still stay ahead in the game.

Sri Lanka at the end of day 3 still trail by 180 runs still having to do a lot more in the last two days of the Test match.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 356 for 9 (Chandimal 147*, Mathews 111, Ashwin 3-90) trail India536 for 7 dec by 180 runs

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 04 Dec, 2017

    Share Via