Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Galle: Virat Kohli was a visibly disappointed man on Saturday as Team India surrendered the first Test to Sri Lanka despite dominating most of the match.
India’s famed batting line-up collapsed like a pack of cards as left-arm spinner Rangana Herath wreaked havoc and walked away with figures of seven for 48. The embarrassing 63-run defeat came inside four days despite India appearing likely winners till the final session of Day 3. “We have no one to blame but ourselves,” said Kohli at the post-match presentation ceremony. “One bad session turned the match around. Credit to how the Sri Lankans came back and especially to (Dinesh) Chandimal who batted really well in the second innings.”
Chandimal – Man-of-the-Match for his unbeaten 162 in the second innings – was the architect of Sri Lanka’s fightback. His knock helped his side set a target of 176 for the Indians. The highest successful 4th innings chase at Galle International Stadium was 99/3 (Sri Lanka against Pakistan) and the task for India’s batsmen was always challenging.
India resumed the fourth day on 23/1 but the likes of Shikhar Dhawan – centurion from the 1st innings, Kohli and Rohit Sharma walked back without making a mark. “It was always going to be difficult batting last on a pitch like this. The ball was turning but that is how Test cricket is. Herath was outstanding too,” said Kohli.
The Indian captain will now look to regroup and get spirits up ahead of the start of the second Test from August 20.
