In an interesting display of Test cricket, visitors Sri Lankan managed to save the first Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 20. The series now stands level at 0-0. Earlier, skipper Virat Kohli led from the front with an unbeaten 104 as India set a target of 231 for Sri Lanka to win the opening Test. Kohli brought up his 18th Test century in style by smashing Suranga Lakmal for a six and immediately declared the hosts’ second innings at 352/8. During this course, Virat Kohli also equalled Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most number of centuries (11) in Test cricket by an Indian captain.
India started Day 5 on a poor note as they lost successive wickets in the morning. Then came skipper Virat Kohli at number 4 after KL Rahul (79) once again failed to convert his start into a big score – the seventh time in nine innings. He was bowled when an in-dipping Lakmal delivery knocked off his middle stump. Virat Kohli played 119 balls to complete his 18th Test century which was his 50th international century. Virat (104 not out) smashed 12 fours and 2 sixes as Team India took a lead of 230 runs in the second innings.
— cricket (@84107010ghwj) November 20, 2017
Suranga Lakmal and Dasun Shanaka were the leading wicket-takers for Sri Lankan with 3 wickets each.
In reply, Sri Lankans kept losing wickets at regular intervals while chasing a target of 231 for the historic win.
— cricket (@84107010ghwj) November 20, 2017
Sri Lankans lost their top order batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews in under 12 overs.
— cricket (@84107010ghwj) November 20, 2017
At the end of the day, Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the Eden Gardens.
— cricket (@84107010ghwj) November 20, 2017
Brief scores: India 172 and 352/8 declared (Virat Kohli 104 not out, Shikhar Dhawan 94, Lokesh Rahul 79; Lakmal 3/93) draws Sri Lanka: 294 and 75/7 (B Kumar 4/8, M Shami 2/34)
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