Southpaws Sangakkara and Paranavitana slam centuries as hosts Sri Lanka score 256/2 on Day One; bad light and rain rob the contest of 22 overs
As the opening day of the first Test was approaching stumps, India badly felt the absence of an experienced Zaheer Khan and the talented S Sreesanth. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s bowlers could not hold the Sri Lankan batsmen from dominating proceedings throughout the day. Bad light, followed by some rain, saved the visitors from more embarrassment as the umpires called it a day with 22 overs left to be bowled.
Riding on centuries from skipper Kumar Sangakkara and opener Tharanga Paranavitana, the hosts finished the day on a strong note with a healthy first innings total of 256 by losing just two wickets in 68 overs. At stumps, Tharanga was batting on 110 with Mahela Jayawardene (8) for company.
Of the four regular bowlers, it was debutant Abhimanyu Mithun who stole the show by picking up the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan, while part-time offie Virender Sehwag dismissed centurion Sangakkara (103) late in the day. Harbhajan, who was not 100 per cent fit, bowled his heart out but with little success. Mithun, who finished with the figures of one for 41 off 13 overs, was the most economical of the lot.
Sangakkara, who won the toss, chose to bat on a wicket that was damp and on the slower side. The visitors didn’t have a great start as numerous edges, induced by Ishant Sharma, went between the slips and gully for boundaries. Mithun, playing his first Test, bowled a perfect line, but was unlucky not to have trapped the openers leg-before.
He troubled Dilshan regularly by mixing up his deliveries. Twice Dilshan was struck on the pads in the fourth over, one being an inside edge while the other a close call. Had the UDRS been in place, at least one of umpire Daryl Harper’s decision (in favour of the batsman) would have been overruled.
Mithun’s hard work did not go in vain as a well-directed short-pitched delivery from the Fort End fetched him Dilshan’s wicket.
The attacking opener mistimed a pull shot and the ball landed straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Dhoni.
India looked set to take control of the situation, but Sangakkara had other plans. He batted cautiously along with a patient Paranavitana. With the wicket offering very little turn, Harbhajan and Pragyan Ojha couldn’t really thrive.
The only time Harbhajan troubled Paranavitana was when the southpaw stretched outside for a flick and found a leading edge. However, Gautam Gambhir, stationed at silly point, was late to react.
Sangakkara continued to torture India’s weak bowling and did not spare the bad balls. His aggressive approach saw the spinners getting thrashed all around the park. The Lankan skipper, who registered his 22nd Test hundred, got a life on 65 when Dhoni dropped an easy chance off Ojha.
Paranavitana provided his skipper with immense support by playing smart cricket. The duo went on to stitch a 181-run stand, the highest for any wicket on this ground, before Sangakkara pulled Sehwag straight into the hands of Sachin Tendulkar at deep midwicket. He scored 103 in 145 balls with 12 boundaries.
Paranavitana took his time to score his maiden ton. He remained unbeaten at 110 with 12 boundaries till rain played spoilsport.
Day Two could turn out to be different. The visitors, who will be desperate to get back into the game, will hope the pitch does some wonders. The outfield, too, will be soggy and heavy and batsmen may not have a field day.
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