IND-SL SERIES

First Test: No sunshine, but pacer Lakmal makes hay on day 1

CRICKET-IND-SRI Suranga Lakmal celebrates after taking the wicket of K.L. Rahul on the first day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata | AFP

Only 60 minutes of cricket were possible on day one of the first Test between India and Sri lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But those 60 minutes made up for all the rain-induced breaks and stoppages due to bad light.

Put into bat by Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal who won the toss, hosts India found themselves in an unfamiliar territory losing three wickets for 17 runs in just 11.5 overs before bad light came to their rescue. Cheteshwar Pujara (8*) and Ajinkya Rahane (0*) were at the crease when stumps were called at 4.10pm.

Sri Lanka's opening bowler Suranga Lakmal took all the wickets in an excellent spell of six maiden overs.

The conditions were not typical of the Eden Gardens—a recently relaid, green wicket and overcast conditions, which encouraged bounce and swing. That the teams were able to squeeze in almost 12 overs of play was a miracle, given the predictions of heavy rains. Play was interrupted four times due to light drizzle or bad light.

The rains had relented last night itself but a few short, sharp showers early in the morning delayed the start. The covers were removed only in the afternoon, and with the entire first session lost, the match officials decided on playing 55 overs, stretching the closing time to 6pm.

India decided to open with Shikhar Dhawan and K.L. Rahul, leaving Murali Vijay out, and opting for five batsmen, including Wriddhiman Saha as the wicketkeeper batsman. Indian skipper Virat Kohli opted for a three-pronged pace attack, with Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The match also saw the return of spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Lakmal made full use of the conditions, getting Rahul to edge the first ball of the match to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella. Dhawan was next to perish, trying to play a needless cover drive, and, in the process, dragging the ball on to the stumps.

Another stoppage of play forced early tea and when play resumed at 3.20pm, India lost its third wicket, with skipper Kohli falling leg before wicket to yet another superb Lakmal delivery. Kohli reviewed but the decision stayed, earning the star batsman a rare Test duck.

Similar conditions are expected on the second day, too, but it appears the Test match will turn out to be a short but exciting affair.

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