Young Indian Camp End 22 Year Drought

Last session of the last match of the series and yet all three end results highly possible for the series from thereon. On one hand, stood a chance for the young Indian team headed by a young skipper to end a 22 year drought of a  test series win in Sri Lanka and on the other the opportunity of the hosts to extend their record on the home soil. Needless to say series high at stake, emotions and excitement, and yes it did have a result, and this time in India's favour. 

With the series levelled at 1-1, there was much buzz to the build up of the last test match to be played at Colombo. While the host team had just seen off the legend Kumar Sangakkara and it was Upal Tharanga coming into the side to fill the vacated spot, the visitors had a setback too with yet another opener this time in the form of Murali Vijay and also wicketkeeper Wridhiman Saha ruled out from the side due to injuries. 

This gave a chance for keeper Naman Ojha to make his debut in the international arena and most importantly gave Cheteshwar Pujara the chance to get back to the frame after a log lay off and he grabbed the opportunity with both his hands and ended up being the saviour for his team.  

Day 1

Sri Lanka having won the toss opted to bowl first. The first hour of the game had some exciting cricket with KL Rahul the centurion of the previous match being bowled out on only the second ball of the day by Dhammika Prasad. He misinterpreted the line completely which resulted in his off stump being blown off. 

It wasn't even four overs when Ajinkya Rahane was trapped leg before wicket by Nuwan Pradeep and India were faltering at 14-2 within just 30 minutes of play.  It was an early entry for the skipper Virat Kohli to the crease. A  green top wicket, ideal for the seamers and Indians were seen struggling. Kohli was dropped too at 8 and was flirting with his off stump bringing back the haunting memories of the England tour of India where he was completely exposed due to this. 


Rain a major interruption throughout the series played a major spoilsport yet again with the remaining first day being washed out with just 15 overs being bowled.

Day 2

Rain adding moisture to the pitch, the first hour of play was crucial and had a lot resting on the shoulders of skipper Kohli and opener Pujara for the Indian camp while wicket taking conditions were ideal for Sri Lanka to give themselves a chance to remain on top. 

Virat Kohli fell early in the day after surviving close calls in the first couple of overs. He succumbed to his weakness outside off-stump and fell to Mathews's outswinger. 

As a result Rohit Sharma was on the pitch along with Pujara on the other end. They set up a crucial half-century stand and Pujara too reached his 7th test 50, and finally got back among runs. Indians seemed to have batted out the tricky period with just one wicket falling and both the batsman looking settled. Only capitalization on the start was required, but Sharma hit a loose shot just at the stroke of lunch and Prasad's hard work paid off yet again, bringing back SL on top.

The very first ball after lunch saw Stuart Binny depart for a golden duck as Prasad struck yet again and half the team had been pinned down just for 119. High onus and responsibility fell on Ojha the debutant who too could not make much of a difference and walked back for 21 after a soft dismissal by Kaushal. 

While on one end wickets fell at regular intervals there was Pujara standing firmly at the other end and kept hopes alive for India as he put up a strong resistance registering his 7th test ton for India which came just at the right time for his team and for himself too. It was commendable effort on Mishra's part too who effortlessly complemented Pujara well on the other end stringing in a hundred plus stand essaying a flurry of fluent shots all around.

Yet again rain forced play to be called off with India at 292/8.  

Day 3

The beginning of the third day saw Ishant swinging his bat at almost everything, clearing his intentions but fell in the very second over to Herath who bowled Yadaav, the last man, too and Indian were wrapped up at 312. Pujara, the saviour, became the fourth Indian to carry his bat through the innings. But for his gritty performance India would have been in a deplorable condition. 

Initiating the proceedings with three consecutive no balls and Tharanga being dropped for 0, Ishant finally tasted success in the 5th over grabbing Tharanga's wicket and the very next over it was the other opener, Silva walking back being bowled by Umesh. 

Chandimal who was looking solid, hitting four boundaries and being the aggressor fell prey to  Binny being struck on the back leg. Returning for hi second spell Ishant removed Mathews for just 1 run and the very next over Karunaratne too followed nicking a ball off Binny into Rahul's hands. Sril Lanka were in a soup at lunch with half the team out and a 50 yet to be put up on the cards. It went from bad to worse as Thirimanne departed just after lunch with Ishant making it count yet again.

It seemed as if it was just a matter of time before Sri Lanka would be bundled out, but the game shifted into the hands of the batsmen and Kusal Perara took charge making every ploy of the Indian bowlers looking ineffective. Meanwhile Prasad was hit hard on the hand and he retired hurt. Herath supported Perara well and they succeeded in launching a solid counter attack putting up a 50 plus stand.

It was Ishant to rescue yet again as he finally bagged the scalp of Perera. Herath tried puttting up a fight but fell short of his fifty just by a run and the Sri Lankan innings was brought to a close at 201, making a laudable effort to recover from 5/47.


Steaming in Dhammika Prasad made the centurion of the previous innings, Pujara depart for a duck by blowing his middle stump and a couple of overs late Prasad produced a n exactly same dismissal giving Indian yet another jolt in the form of Rahul. Rahane perished again and Indian were at a mercenary 7/3.

The day saw falling of 15 odd wickets and yet again persistent rain called off the day early, setting up a thrilling day four ahead,

Day 4

With an overnight lead of 132, Indian began the day with a 50-run stand between Rohit and Kohli with the lead going ahead of 150. Virat who was already looking out of sorts fell to Pradeep. It was just about when Rohit brought his 50 that he gave away yet another start .

It was the lower middle order that helped India to re consolidate. While Binny fell just one short of his half century, Ashwin went on to score it and Mishra and Ojha contributed significant 35 and 39 respectively, leaving a humongous task of chasing 386 to win for Sri lanka ahead.

Aggressive bowling and early inroads was required and Ishant and Umesh gave just that sending Tharanga and Karunaratne back for a duck each. Soon Chandimal too edged the ball into the hands of second slip leaving his side at 3 wickets just for 21.

It was stumps early yet again and this time owing to bad light, leading the final day with lots of action. Indian requiring 7 wickets while the hosts 319 runs.

Day 5

A mountain to climb for Sri Lanka ahead, the visitors on the other hand were in a much better placed than them, with lots at stake for both the sides. Very early in the day Kaushal Silva needlessly took charge on Yadaav and gifted his wicket, making things look in an utter mess for Sri Lanka. Even to a put a draw they needed to put out a performance of firm character.

 

After Thirimanne was dismissed by Ashwin, Perera rose up to the ocassion yet again and went on to put a 135 run partnership with Angelo Mathews who played a captain's knock recording yet another century to his name. They continued to play with ease and pace and soon the game started slipping off India's hands as the score seemed gettable with Mathews batting it out in there. All three results were probable as the duo went on to frustrate the Indian bowlers s and the captain too looked bereft of ideas. Just ten minutes before tea things happened exactly the way India would have wished for. Ashwin got rid off Perera. 

Into the final session of the game, and Mathews still at the crease things could have fallen either ways. However the new ball did the trick for India as Ishant triggered the collapse claiming the priceless wicket of Angelo Mathews. The remaining tail didn't wag at all, as Ashwin claimed two wickets in an over and Mishra completed the proceedings, as India triumphed by 117 runs creating history. 

While Cheteshwar Pujara bagged the Man of The Match Award for his match saving and belligerent knock, Amit Mishra too played a cruicial role in this match. As for Ishant Sharma who was spitting firey aggression throughout, he completed 200 wickets in test cricket and got his 7th five-wicket haul. R.Ashwin got the Man of the Series for his exceptional performance of getting 21 wickets in the series. 

Sri Lanka throughout the series gave a strong fight. Their win at Galle depicted their character and performances of Dhamika Prasad, Kushal Perera and Mathews came as a big plus for them. It was their outstanding cricket that made the series all the more interesting

To cap off, it was the first win for India overseas since the one against West Indies in 2011. It marked the beginning of a new captain, Virat Kohli's era as he registered a win in his first full series as a captain. India now climb up to the fifth spot in the Test Rankings. 

A fiercely competitive series with every match producing a result, there is nothing more cricket fans could ask for.