Dinesh Chandimal : India is one of the best fast bowling attacks that I have faced

During the first innings in the Eden Test, the Indian seamers exploited the favourable conditions and shared all 10 wickets among them. This was only the third time Indian pacers had taken all 10 wickets in an innings in a home Test. In Sri Lanka’s second innings too, all the seven wickets fell to the fast bowlers, thus making it the first Test in India where no host spinner picked up a wicket. Dinesh Chandimal, who was on the receiving end of some world-class bowling, admitted the same and called the Indian pace attack as one of the best in the world.

“He is their main batsman. We always try to get him early and we discuss a lot on him at team meetings. Had we dismissed him cheaply today, we could have probably won this match. He changed the game. Certainly one of the finest batsmen around. He played some amazing shots today.”

Chasing a target of 231 in 47 overs, Sri Lanka lost their openers inside the first three overs and were then reduced to 22 for 4 with two hours left in the game. Although Niroshan Dickwella fought for some time, the visitors were reduced to 75 for 7 by a rampaging Indian pace attack, giving India a realistic chance to register yet another victory at the Eden Gradens. But bad light came to the visitor's rescue as the game ended in a draw.

“The last few overs were very tense. Glad we got out of it. We were determined not to lose the Test match. Had we got more time, we could have tried and chased the target. We knew we had to face about 25 overs due to the light issue. We didn't want to be negative. We wanted to play our normal game. A couple of dismissals were due to poor shot selections. We put in a lot of effort out there.

Pacer Suranga Lakmal returned with the figures of 7/119 in the match including an impressive figure of 4/26 in the first innings, with his victims including KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kohli. Chandimal had special words of praise for the 30-year-old Matara-born bowler.

“Suranga is one of my favourite bowlers and I really like and respect him. He gives hundred percent for the team on every occasion. In the dressing room, and on the field, he gives his best whether it is batting, bowling or fielding. He is a great asset for a captain as he shares lot of thoughts. Brilliant he was throughout the Test match,” Chandimal concluded.