You are here: Home » Cricket India » Paranavitana, Sangakkara flay India on truncated day

Paranavitana, Sangakkara flay India on truncated day

Related Links : India’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2010 : India Player Pages : Sri Lanka Player Pages : Scorecard of Sri Lanka Vs India, 1st Test at Galle

Kumar Sangakkara GalleSri Lanka opened the 3-Test Series against India strongly with a solid total of 256 for 2 on Day 1 of the first Test at Galle. Opener Tharanga Paranavitana (110* from 229 balls with 12 fours) and Skipper Kumar Sangakkara (103 from 145 balls with 12 fours) flayed the depleted Indian bowling attack with their 181-run stand for the 2nd wicket.

Just the 68 overs were possible on the opening day’s play and Sri Lanka batting first after winning the toss controlled the game totally. Thirty minutes were lost at the start due to wet outfield and towards the end, play was abandoned due to showers. India’s debutant Abhimanyu Mithun struck a vital blow, taking his maiden wicket by forcing Tillakaratne Dilshan (25 from 24 balls with 6 fours) to glove a hook shot to MS Dhoni down the legside in the 11th over.

Kumar Sangakkara joined Paranavitana at 55 for 1 and the pair kept India wicketless right through the 38 overs of play in the extended afternoon session. Sangakkara after reaching his 22nd Test hundred got out to a rank long hop from Virender Sehwag at the start of the final session. By the close of play, Mahela Jayawardene has joined Paranavitana in the middle and has looked good so far in his 14-ball stay.

Abhimanyu Mithun was the best bowler for India, often attacking the stumps with his brisk speeds though his highest was around 135 kmph. Overall he had a decent start with figures of 1 for 41 in 13 overs. India’s biggest worry was that Harbhajan Singh, who came into his match recovering from flu was feeling weak and add to that a knee problem which kept him limping in and out of the ground! He bowled 17 overs and went wicketless while conceding 41 runs.

The pitch at Galle seems to have some kind of turn and is keeping low at times. However the turn hasn’t been from the stumps line yet. India had their chances, most of them being difficult ones.