India vs Sri Lanka | Visitors grind out draw on the last day of 3rd Test

Day 1

India started the final Test in the strongest way possible with Virat Kohli continuing with his devastating form as the hosts, after winning the toss, opted to bat first. After Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed early and was followed by Pujara, Murali Vijay and Kohli went on to end the day with a healthy 371-run lead, which saw Vijay getting dismissed at 155, while Kohli remaining unbeaten in 156. The skipper, in the process, became the fourth fastest Indian to reach 5,000 Test runs surpassing Rahul Dravid. Lakshan Sandakan’s late brace of Vijay and Rahane ended India’s Day 1 at 371-4.

The second day saw Virat Kohli completing his sixth double Test century and reaching his career-best 243 runs. However, the smooth run was hindered by the first ever oxygen-break in cricket’s history as Sri Lankan players struggled to breathe in the poor quality of Delhi’s air. Their demand for repeated breaks broke Ashwin and Kohli’s concentration, who returned to pavilion shortly. An annoyed Indian skipper declared the innings at 536/7, following which Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma provided a good start with the new ball. Sri Lanka managed to end the action-packed day at 131/3 with Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal looking settled at the crease.

Day 4

Sri Lanka managed earn a draw in challenging conditions on the final day after Dhananjay Silva put on an unbelievable fight, following the dismissals of Chandimal and Mathews, to score 111 runs before he was taken off the pitch due to illness. However, Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella continued to fight right till the end with a much-needed partnership of 68 runs before Virat Kohli decided to offer a draw with 111 runs left on the board with five wickets and 36 minutes remaining. India could manage just two wickets on the last day courtesy of Ashwin and Jadeja claiming a scalp apiece.