India were on top and heading for victory when stumps were called on the fourth day of the final Test against Sri Lanka at New Delhi.
With the islanders in trouble at 31-3 chasing 410 in the final innings, Virat Kohli’s men look on course to win their ninth consecutive Test series win.
Here, we look at the two good and bad performances on a day which was dominated by the hosts.
THE GOOD
RAVINDRA JADEJA’S EXTRA OVER SPELLS TROUBLE FOR SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka were placed at 31-1 with the light fading at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. They would have hoped umpire Nigel Llong would bring an end to play when he got out the light-meter.
The Englishman allowed Jadeja to bowl one another over and it was these six balls which spelt trouble for the islanders.
With the very first delivery Jadeja struck as he had Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha. The opener was looking to defend but the ball held its line before taking a faint outside edge.
Nightwatchman Suranga Lakmal blocked out two deliveries in succession but disaster struck in the fourth ball as Jadeja turned around to appeal vociferously for the leg-before decision.
Little did he know that the ball had crept onto the stumps to bowl Lakmal.
Lakmal was bowled off the fourth delivery of the over.
VIRAT KOHLI’S FABULOUS SERIES WITH THE BAT
After his second consecutive double-ton in the first innings, Kohli continued the good form on the fourth day with a well made fifty.
After starting with a duck in the first innings in the opening Test at Kolkata, Kohli has since gone to score 104, 213, 243 and 50 runs in his subsequent stays at the crease.
He overtook Brian Lara for the most double-tons as a Test captain with his sixth in the first innings. His 610 runs in the series make him the runaway leader in runs scored and it will be no surprise to see Kohli walk away with the man of the series award come Wednesday.
Kohli has scored 610 runs in five innings during the series.
THE BAD
AJINKYA RAHANE FAILS YET AGAIN
The Indian deputy skipper breached the 10-run mark for the first time in the series after a dreadful batch of form. While he was promoted to number three on Tuesday, it wasn’t enough as the 29-year-old perished on exactly 10 while trying to hit Dilruwan Perera over the top.
Rahane’s scores in the series read a sorry 4,0,2,1 and 10. A combined total of 17 runs in five innings represent a miserable return for the right-hander before going into a tough away tour of South Africa.
Other Indian batsmen have all scored big at one point or the other in the series but Rahane has failed to rediscover his touch as he has struggled with timing.
It has been a dreadful series for the Indian vice-captain.
DELHI’S SMOG STRIKES YET AGAIN
Day two of the Test had descended into a farce after Sri Lanka’s players had to resort to wearing face-masks amidst the high pollution levels in New Delhi.
Pacer Lakmal had to leave the field while developing a cough during his run-up as play was stopped several times over the issue.
Things got no better on Tuesday when India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami was seen coughing on the field while going back to his run-up while bowling.
The fast bowler has removed Sadeera Samarawickrama with a display of ferocious and aggressive pace bowling but it seems his efforts took a toll on him.
The smog at Delhi continued to dominate headlines on day four.
