Opener Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara hit sublime centuries to put India in command of the second Test against Sri Lanka, as the hosts took a 107-run lead on Saturday's day two. The overnight batsmen put together a 209-run partnership to pulverise the opposition attack after the hosts started the day on 11-1 in response to Sri Lanka's 205. India were 312 for two at stumps in their first innings with Pujara, on 121, and skipper Virat Kohli, on 54, batting to push the visitors out of the game.
Vijay, who made an impressive return to the team after a long injury lay-off, registered his 10th Test ton before falling to Rangana Herath in the final session of play for 128. The right-handed opener gifted his wicket to the veteran left-arm spinner after mistiming his sweep on a full toss to short fine leg where Dilruwan Perera made no mistake. Perera had dropped Vijay on 61 at short mid-on off paceman Lahiru Gamage and the spill proved costly for the visitors who managed only one wicket in the day.
Vijay and Pujara made sure India rammed home the advantage from day one as they recorded their fifth century-plus stand in their last seven Test innings together. "Any day I will take this. Obviously, we are in a strong position at the end of the day and I wanted to always contribute for the team and I am happy," Vijay told reporters. "Pujara also has a similar mindset as he likes to dig in deep and scrap it out in a situation with varied demands.
"Pujara is calm and that rubs on me as well, the tempo that he plays suits my game," he said of his marathon stand with the composed Pujara. Vijay, who replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the starting lineup after the left-handed opener pulled out due to personal reasons, hit 11 fours and a six during his 221-ball knock. Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul have been India's first-choice Test openers while Vijay was away recovering from his wrist surgery, but he insists it doesn't bother him.
"I feel as a professional you should always be ready whether you get a chance or not... it's difficult but I am used to it by now," said Vijay. "Playing for India is difficult and whoever gets a chance, I wish them luck. I know how difficult it is to be in that space and perform." Pujara played the sheet anchor's role to perfection and took control after the fall of his overnight partner to record his 14th Test century.
Pujara, a classical batsman who passed 1,000 Test runs this year, played a sedate knock to frustrate the bowlers on a gruelling day for Sri Lanka on the field. He also combined with Kohli for an unbeaten 96-run stand, forcing skipper Dinesh Chandimal to continue juggling his bowling options till the end of day. Kohli hit a 66-ball half-century and has smashed six boundaries so far.
Sri Lanka's batting coach Thilan Samaraweera praised the Indian top-order for their solid showing on a wicket that the visitors tripped on after winning the toss and batting. "I think we are behind the game at the moment. I thought we bowled in very good areas but they batted well on a good pitch," Samaraweera said.
"Disappointing that we won the toss, classic pitch, no seam movement, no spin and we didn't bat well to be honest with you," he added. The top-ranked India are looking to go one-up in the three-Test series after the first match ended in a draw in Kolkata.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka 1st innings 205 (D. Chandimal 57, D. Karunaratne 51; Ashwin 4-67)
India 1st innings (overnight 11-1)
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L. Rahul b Gamage 7
M. Vijay c Perera b Herath 128
C. Pujara not out 121
V. Kohli not out 54
Extras: (b1, lb1) 2
Total: (2 wkts, 98 overs) 312
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Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Rahul), 2-216 (Vijay) Still to bat: R. Sharma, A. Rahane, R. Ashwin, W. Saha, R. Jadeja, U. Yadav, I. Sharma
Bowling: Lakmal 18-2-58-0, Gamage 22-7-47-1, Herath 24-8-45-1, Shanaka 13-3-43-0 Perera 21-0-117-0
Toss: Sri Lanka
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Joel Wilson (WIS)
TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS).
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