India defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 53 runs played at SSC, Colombo to win the series by 2-0 with a match to go. It was a great batting display by Karunanthe who scored 141 runs but Ravindra Jadeja picked 5 wickets to help the visitors seal the series.
Starting the day on 209 for 2, night watchman Pushpkumara and Karunanthe played with positive intent. The left handed batsman completed his century in 224 balls. Pushpkumara tried to hit a big shot and was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja for 16. Soon after the Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed by Jadeja again. After that Mathews and Karunanthe showed intent against the Indian spinners. Karunanthe was solid while Mathews also looked impressive stroke making despite good deliveries from both Indian spinners and also Pacers. At the lunch break, Sri Lanka were 302 for 4.
After the lunch break, Jadeja got the important wickets of Karunanthe for 141 and Angelo Mathews for 36. Both of them added 69 runs for the 5th wicket. Then wickets fell at regular intervals. Ravindra Jadeja picked his fifth wicket by dismissing Dhanajya de Silva. Dickwella and Hearth played with positive intent adding 41 runs for the 9th wicket. Sri Lanka was dismissed for 386 giving India a huge win by an innings and 53 runs to seal the series.
India 622 for 9 in 158 overs ( Pujara 133, Rahane 132, Hearth 4/154) beat Sri Lanka 183 in 49.4 overs ( Dickwella 51, Ashwin 5/69) and 386 in 116.5 overs ( Dimuth Karunanthe 141, Mendis 110, Ravindra Jadeja 5/152) by an innings and 53 runs
Captain Virat Kohli said: It was a good win. We enforced the follow on because of 440 lead. Mendis and Karunanthe played brilliantly well. Not giving any byes Saha keeping in this match was outstanding. Our batting was outstanding again with Rahane, Pujara. KL Rahul and Jadeja got runs which helped us a lot.
Man of the match Ravindra Jadeja said: We got the turn from the center of the pitch. During the first innings, the pitch did not turn much. Mendis played well making the bowlers change their line and lengths with sweep shots. Despite that, I bowled the consistent line and got wickets for our team. It was great to contribute with the bat also.
India leads the series 2-0 with the third test match at Palleke from 12th August.
