Talking points from Day 1 of India-Sri Lanka Test Match

Talking points from Day 1 of India-Sri Lanka Test Match

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BCCI

After uninterrupted rain delayed the game for almost four hours, Sri Lanka started the game in the best way possible on a lush green pitch that was screaming to the bowlers. The visitors accepted the gift with open hands, sending back three Indian batsmen with just 17 runs on the board.

Brief scores: India 17/3 (Shikhar Dhawan 8, Cheteshwar Pujara 8*; Suranga Lakmal 0/3)

Fans raise questions of a venue change again as rain ruins game

This was India’s third series at home since they had returned from Sri Lanka back in September and not a single of them have been spared by the wrath of the Rain Gods. The fans have raised the question time and again, why BCCI doesn’t keep room for a last-minute venue change in case of weather unsuitability. While the solution seems far-fetched for limited-overs cricket where the stadiums remain throbbing with eccentric crowd, hours before the start, Test cricket doesn’t really see such a scenario. Hence, the organizers attempting a change of venue one day before a Test game, if the weather deteriorates as was the case in Eden Gardens, could be a real subject of debate in the future.

Sri Lanka bowlers make delightful watch on a lethal pitch

Earlier, CAB president Sourav Ganguly had revealed that Eden Gardens would be a good track for the bowlers, and when the covers came off in the afternoon on Thursday, the green pitch was a treat for sore eyes of the Test cricket lovers. Virat Kohli knew the moment he lost the toss that they were in for a jerky start. Sri Lanka didn’t disappoint either as Suranga Lakmal sent KL Rahul back to the pavilion on the very first ball of the game with an unplayable ball that was nicked to the keeper. The pitch, which was a reflection of the outfield, totally green but slightly shaven, was providing lateral movement for the Lankan pacers and before an adventurous Shikhar Dhawan could settle in, he fell prey to another Lakmal beauty. After slight drizzle and bad light further interrupted the game, Kohli was the last one to get out after an in-swinging delivery caught him plumb in front of his stumps.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s impeccable judgement remains the only positive for India

With the Indian top order falling like a house of cards and the batsmen struggling to get a touch on the swinging deliveries, Cheteshwar Pujara remained the only batsman on Day one who dealt with them well. The Saurashtra batsman faced 43 balls scoring just eight runs, and those runs came from two boundaries - typical Test cricket stuff. Sri Lanka bowlers’ erratic length bowling also helped his cause as the Lankans seemed confused with the bounce the wicket had to offer. With another technically sound batsman in Ajinkya Rahane at the crease now, India would hope for a more stable session on Day 2.

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