Virat Kohli’s men claimed their second consecutive Test series in Sri Lanka courtesy of a mammoth innings and 53 run victory in Colombo on Sunday.
With this win, India have now claimed eight straight series on the trot as they continue to consolidate their position at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.
While Ravindra Jadeja ran away with the man of the match award for his all-round show with both bat and ball, we analyse each of the 22 stars who took to the field in the Test match.
The opener looked solid in both of his innings and even claimed his maiden Test scalp. However, it was his fighting 141 in the second innings for which Karunaratne deserves all the plaudits. It’s a shame he ended up on the losing side.
The left-hander had a Test to forget after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings before falling for just two runs in the second.
The 22-year-old youngster gave Sri Lanka cause for optimism despite the heavy defeat as he followed up his promising start in Tests to score his third century in a defiant display along with Karunaratne in the second innings.
Mendis completed his third Test century but Sri Lanka were overpowered.
The skipper’s return after missing out the Galle Test due to pneumonia was meant to provide Sri Lanka with some experience in the middle order but Chandimal could only muster 12 runs in his two innings.
The former skipper of the side got decent starts twice but failed to convert them into big scores when it really counted.
The Sri Lankan wicket-keeper scored a solid half-century in the first innings and was looking good in the second before succumbing to Hardik Pandya.
The all-rounder had a disappointing game with both bat and ball as he went wicket-less while only managing a combined total of 17 runs.
It was a frustrating match for the off-spinner as he could claim only a solitary wicket in the 40 overs he threw down. He did not have the best of times with the bat either.
The left-arm spinner picked up two Indian wickets on his debut but was costly as the batsmen did not allow him to settle. His dismissal after attempting a reverse sweep in the second innings will not do the 30-year-old any favours either.
The pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with four wickets but much more was expected of the veteran spinner as he shoulders the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.
The best Sri Lankan bowler in the Galle Test was left clutching his hamstring on the first day which ruled him out from bowling for the remainder of the game.
The Indian opener had a memorable Galle Test and was looking good for his 35 runs before being dismissed by Perera.
Dhawan’s opening partner scored his sixth consecutive fifty on the trot before being run-out in an unfortunate mix-up.
The right-hander had a 50th Test to remember as he scored his 13th Test century to help India amass a massive first innings total. Pulled off a stunner at gully to send Matthews packing in the first innings.
The Indian skipper failed to follow up his unbeaten century in Galle as he was dismissed for just 13 runs by Herath. He rotated his bowlers well as India romped home to victory.
Centuries from Pujara and Rahane laid the foundation for India’s win.
The Mumbai-born middle-order batsman scored a classy 132 as he and Pujara helped India tot up 622 runs to put the game beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
The wicket-keeper had a solid time behind the stumps as well as scoring a solid 67 in India’s innings to round–off a fine performance.
The all-rounder had a great impact on the Test with his five-wicket haul in the first innings along with a fifty. Ashwin also joined an elite list of players to have picked up more than 200 wickets and scored over 2,000 runs in Test cricket.
The other all-rounder had the perfect game after scoring a fine half-century in the first innings and then followed it up with a five-wicket haul in the second innings to hand India the win.
The third all-rounder in the Indian squad made the most of opportunities in his limited role. While his medium pacers were not called upon in the first innings, he provided the crucial breakthrough of Kusal Mendis in the second.
The Indian pacer did not see much action with the ball on a spinning track but was effective when called upon. He took two crucial wickets in the 18 overs he threw down in the two innings.
Just like Yadav, Shami was not required to do a lot of bowling but he was his usual best in the limited overs he bowled. Picked up two crucial wickets in the first innings.
