23 August,2015 01:56 AM IST | | AFP
Indians bowl out hosts for 306 despite skipper Angelo Mathews' century to take charge on Day 3
Amit Mishra appeals on Day Three of the second Test on Saturday
Colombo: Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews hit a century before India fought back to assume control of the second Test at the P Sara Oval here on Saturday.
Amit Mishra appeals on Day Three of the second Test on Saturday. Pic/Solaris Images
The tourists, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle, ended Sri Lanka's first innings at 306 after tea on the third day in reply to their own 393. India closed the day at 70-1 in their second knock, an overall lead of 157 runs with nine wickets in hand on the slow, wearing pitch that promises to help spinners on the last two days.
Rahul departs early
Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 39 and Ajinkya Rahane was on 28, the pair having put on 67 runs for the second wicket after Lokesh Rahul was bowled by Dhammika Prasad off the fifth ball. The duo saw off the last five overs in fading light as play was extended by more than an hour due to a rain interruption after lunch.
Mathews hit a glorious 102 to lift his team to a strong position before India turned the tables after a barren morning session. Sri Lanka, who started the day at 140-3, were cruising at 241-3 soon after lunch when India hit back to take the last seven wickets for 65 runs.
The collapse started soon after Mathews notched up his sixth Test century with a reverse-hit boundary against off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra finished with four wickets.
