Rain washed out most of the second day's play of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Only 105 minutes of play was possible in the morning, during which 21 overs were bowled. But it was enough for India's batting mainstay in Tests, Cheteshwar Pujara, to stamp his class in difficult conditions even as half the Indian team was back in the dressing room.
Pujara stood tall with an unbeaten 47 even as the other Indian batsmen failed to apply themselves at the historic Eden Gardens. Giving him company was local boy and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on 6*. The duo took India to 74-5 till rain stopped play 30 minutes ahead of scheduled lunch. Play was finally called off at 2.30pm because of the relentless rain.
With clearer skies predicted from third day onwards, both the teams are gearing up for a shortened Test, with a definite result in sight.
Pujara's innings was all about solid defence coupled with well-timed shots, punishing deliveries that erred in width or length. His 47 off 102 balls included nine boundaries. Playing close to the body with a narrow stance, Pujara showed the rest of the Indian batsmen how to go about their job on a lively pitch and bowler-friendly conditions. Almost all his sweetly-timed boundaries came in the mid-off and cover region.
The ground remains covered due to persistent showers | Salil Bera
Describing Pujara as a world-class player, Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas said, “That innings showed the benefit of playing county cricket. This wicket is similar to the ones you get in England in April-May and he played the conditions well.”
Earlier, the second day's play started as scheduled despite overnight rains in Kolkata and surrounding areas. The overnight pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Pujara started on a watchful note while Suranga Lakmal continued from where he left off yesterday, giving little room to the batsman. But it was the right arm medium pacer, Dasun Shanaka, who struck for Lanka, getting Rahane to edge one slightly outside off stump to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella for four.
Ravichandran Ashwin was sent in ahead of Saha, but he failed to capitalise on the opportunity with the bat, falling prey to a surge of blood. He was Shanaka's second wicket of the day, caught at backward point by Dimuth Karunaratne for four.
Saha, who has forged a few fruitful partnerships in the past with Pujara, steadied the ship and was giving company to the latter when a light drizzle forced umpires to call for covers. Lunch was taken ten minutes early.
The match will start early on day three at 9.15am.
