India won the second test by an innings and 53 runs to take a 2-0 series lead with the third match to be played at Kandy from 12th July onwards. It was a great performance by Indian batsmen to post such massive total.
The Sri Lankan innings was bundled out for 183 in the first innings but showed great fight to post 386 in the second innings.
Here we look at the 5 Reasons why India won the second 2nd test:
- Luck with the toss
For the second time in a row, Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat. The Indian batsmen played with positive intent scoring 344 for 3 on the first day itself. In total, India posted a massive total of 622 for 9 declared in 158 overs. It was also lucky that the 5 batsmen added 176 runs with major contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (70) and Saha (67). The Indians scored a run rate of 3.93 runs per over. The mammoth score and the contribution of lower order batsmen really put pressure on the hosts. After scoring 600 runs in the first test, India continued to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers.
- Partnership between Rahane and Pujara
India was struggling with 133 for 3 as Kohli and KL Rahul went in quick succession. Rahane and Pujara showed positive intent playing the Sri Lankan spinners with ease. Both of them never allowed them to dominate and completed their respective centuries to put India in a commanding position. At the end of day 1, India scored 344 for 3 in 90 overs. It was a brilliant batting display by both these two top quality batsmen for India in test matches. They put on unbeaten 211 runs for the fourth wicket.
On the second day, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami added vital runs to help India post a mammoth total of 622 for 9 in 158 overs.
- Ravichandran Ashwin bowling in the first innings
Ravichandran Ashwin showed his class in the first innings by picking 5 wickets. He bowled with variety and created pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. On the second day, the off spinner took the wicket of Tharanga by a brilliant catch by KL Rahul. The third day saw, Ashwin outclassed the hosts taking his 26th five wicket haul in test matches. He took 5/69 in 16.4 overs to bowl hosts for 183.
- Kusal Mendis and Karunanthe 191 partnership
After following on, Sri Lanka lost an early wicket of Tharanga for just 2 runs. Kusal Mendis and Karunanthe looked in positive mood sweeping the Indian spinners with ease. Both of these batsmen steadied the innings with attacking approach. Before the end of day’s play, Hardik Pandya got the breakthrough by dismissing Kusal Mendis for 110 runs. It was a great batting display by Mendis who completed his 3rd test century.
- Ravindra Jadeja 5 wickets in the second innings
Ravindra Jadeja bowled with great control in the second innings. He bowled 39 overs taking 5 wickets and giving away 152 runs. The number 1 ranked bowler did not take wickets on the third day. With the pitch helping the spinners, he took wickets of Dinesh Chandimal in the first session. After lunch, Jadeja grabbed wickets of Karunanthe who scored 141, Mathews, Perera, de Silva. It was a great performance by Jadeja. For his all-round performance, he was named the man of the match.