Mangalurean KL Rahul shines once again; scores 108 for India.

Mangalore Today Network

Colombo: August 20, 2015: KL Rahul scored his second century for India on day one of the second Test before the hosts Sri Lanka fought back to restrict them to 319 for six in Colombo.

 

India won the toss and recovered from being 12 for two to reach tea at 206 for three, with Rahul going on to 108 in 190 balls after combining for 164 with his captain Virat Kohli, who contributed 78.

Rohit Sharma added 79 before he was the last wicket to fall on the opening day, sharing half-century stands with Rahul and Wriddhiman Saha (19 not out).

In Kumar Sangakkara’s final Test before his international retirement, Sri Lanka had done well at the start with Dhammika Prasad trapping Murali Vijay lbw for nought in the first over, and then accounting for Ajinkya Rahane in the fourth for four.

Kohli, who scored a century in the first Test, joined the opener Rahul to begin India’s recovery, and the pair remained together for 39 overs, before a diving one-handed slip catch by the Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews off Rangana Herath’s bowling could end Kohli’s run before tea.

Rahul carried on for his ton – his second in four Tests – before he was caught behind off Dushmantha Chameera.

The recalled Stuart Binny failed to impress, making 10 in 40 balls with no boundaries, and predictably fell to Herath’s spin, caught by Chameera at long-off.

Sri Lanka’s fightback would have been much better had Rohit not bounced back from his first Test disappointment to crack three sixes and five fours in his 132-ball innings. However, Mathews would help the hosts end the day on a high by getting Sharma lbw at the stroke of stumps.