Bowlers’ day out opens up Test

Colombo

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The decisive third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka was on a knife edge after 15 wickets fell during a dramatic third day’s play in Colombo yesterday.

Play ended with India on 21-3 in their second innings, an overall lead of 132 with seven wickets in hand on a seaming pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club. With the series locked at 1-1 and bowlers from both sides trying to press home the advantage, a fine rearguard action by Sri Lanka’s lower order stood out. 

India’s makeshift opener Cheteshwar Pujara carried his bat through his side’s innings to anchor his team to a competitive 312 before their first innings ended 25 minutes after the start of the day’s play.

The hosts slipped to 47-6 in reply and were in danger of being asked to follow on before the last four wickets added 154 runs in a remarkable revival that helped them to 201 soon after tea.

Indian seamer Ishant Sharma picked up five wickets, but Sri Lanka were saved by a defiant 79-run partnership between debutant wicket-keeper Kusal Perera and tailender Rangana Herath. 

The pair joined hands with the hosts still 66 away from avoiding the follow-on and with Dhammika Prasad having retired hurt after being hit on the hand by a rising ball from Sharma.

Left-handed Perera, making his Test debut after playing 48 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20 games, smashed the Indian bowlers for 55 off 56 balls with the help of nine boundaries.  

Perera was dismissed by Sharma, top-edging a pull to mid-off, but 37-year-old veteran Herath made 49 and Prasad, who returned to bat after being treated in the dressing room, chipped in with 27.