The fifth and final day of the first test match ended in an exciting draw. Indian captain Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century declaring their innings with a lead of 230 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, and Umesh Yadav were the wicket-takers. Sri Lanka were 75 for 7 when bad light called off the play.
India began the final day on 171 for 1. It was not a great start for India as they lost KL Rahul after adding 21 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli added 21 runs more before Pujara, Rahane went in quick succession. Surgana Lakmal bowled a brilliant spell to dismiss Pujara and Rahane. Ravindra Jadeja also was dismissed for 9 runs. The Indian captain Virat Kohli also struggled to score runs. At the lunch break, team India were 251 for 5.
After the break, Indian team lost 2 more wickets of Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha. After the loss of Saha wicket, Virat Kohli smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar who only scored 8 runs. Both the batsmen added 40 runs for the 8th wicket. India declared their innings on 352 for 8.
Chasing the target of 231, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami took 2 early wickets to leave Sri Lanka at 2 for 2. Thirmmane and Mathews were also dismissed cheaply. Dickwella and Captain Dinesh Chandimal added 47 runs for the fifth wicket. It was a great bowling display by the Indian fast bowling department to reduce the Sri Lankan team to 75 for 7 before bad light called off the play.
India 172 in 59.3 overs ( Pujara 52, Saha 29, Mohammad Shami 24, Lakmal 4/26) and 352 for 8d in 88.4 overs ( Virat Kohli 104*, Dhawan 94, KL Rahul 79, Lakmal 3/93, Shanaka 3/76) drew Sri Lanka 294 in 83.4 overs ( Hearth 67, Mathews 52, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/88, Mohammad Shami 4/100) and 75 for 7 in 26.3 overs ( Dickwella 27, Chandimal 20, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/8, Shami 2/34)
Captain Virat Kohli said: It was an exciting cricket match. Despite being on the backfoot on day 1 and 2, the team showed character and bounced back from tough situations. Sri Lanka played brilliant cricket. I am proud of the way we finished the game after being bowled out for 172 in the first innings.
Man of the match Bhuvneshwar Kumar said: It was tougher to bowl in the second innings. The team thought we could win from any situation. Virat Kohli gave the belief that we could win a tough situation. It is the best preparation for the team going ahead of overseas tours.
The teams now move to Nagpur for the second test from 24th November.
