India inflicted a crushing innings defeat on Sri Lanka in the second Test of the three-match series in Colombo to clinch the series in style.
A stubborn resistance from the hosts, led by Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis frustrated Virat Kohli’s men before a five-wicket haul from Ravindra Jadeja completed a second consecutive Test series win in the island after the historic victory in 2015.
As all eyes now move to the final Test at Colombo, we cast a look at the key performers and major disappointments of the game.
It is a tough task to pick two stand-out performers amongst multiple match-winning performances but Pujara’s magnificent knock of 133 on his 50th Test appearance confirms his conclusion.
The milestone man was in imperious touch from the word go as he completed his 13th Test ton. Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were in complete control against the Sri Lankan attack as they enabled India to put on 622 in the first innings.
Pujara’s century continued his brilliant form against the islanders against whom he has now scored three tons in his previous three matches in Sri Lanka. Amongst Indian batsman, only Sachin Tendulkar has more Test centuries in Sri Lanka with five to his name.
The 29-year-old also completed a stunning catch at gully in Sri Lanka’s first innings to send back the dangerous looking Angelo Matthews, capping a fine showing.
The all-rounder has had a fabulous 2017 so far and it looks all set to continue after a fine man-of-the-match performance in Colombo. Jadeja scored an unbeaten quick-fire 70 in the first innings which included three towering sixes to put India firmly in control on the second day.
He then dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal and all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva with his left-arm spinners as the hosts were bundled out for just 183 runs.
In Sri Lanka’s second innings, the hosts had managed to frustrate the Indians with a resolute showing from Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne.
For a while it looked like India were running out of ideas and would be forced to bat again on a fifth day pitch when Jadeja took the game by the scruff of the neck to claim five wickets in quick succession.
The leg-spinner brought an end to centurion Karunaratne’s marathon effort with a vicious delivery that took off from a length and this in turn opened the floodgates for India’s series win.
The 32-year-old is one of the more experienced members of a Sri Lanka squad still in transition and as such a lot is expected of him. The stylish left-handed batsman has been in decent knick of late though and scored a half-century in the Galle loss.
However, Tharanga had a Test to forget at Colombo scoring a combined total of two runs in the match. In the first innings, he fell for nought while trying a swat an innocuous looking delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin only to see KL Rahul snap an excellent catch at short-leg.
He fared just marginally better in the second innings before Umesh Yadav castled his off-stump with a beautiful in-swinger to end the left-hander’s misery.
With a lot of fresh faces in the squad, the onus lies on the likes of Tharanga, Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal to provide solidarity to the batting order. The opener will have to raise his hand and bear the brunt of the responsibility in the final Test.
Tharanga walks back after being bowled by Yadav in the second innings.
The Sri Lankan skipper had to miss the Galle Test due to pneumonia and his return to the side was expected to provide some experience in the middle-order.
His unbeaten 162 against the same opposition in Galle two years earlier had handed Sri Lanka an improbable win then and something similar was required here after the hosts were forced to follow in the second innings.
After being dismissed by Jadeja for just 10 runs in the first innings, Chandimal fared no better in the second – succumbing to the same bowler for just two runs.
Lots of questions for Chandimal to answer ahead of the third Test.
Despite not being fully fit, the skipper has much to answer after his side capitulated to an innings defeat.
He will need to lead his young Sri Lankan side from the front.
