In a fine display of batting, Virat Kohli brought up his 17th Test century on the fourth day of the opening Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on July 29. Indian skipper showed his class as he smashed Sri Lankans bowlers all around the park. This was Virat Kohli’s 10th century as India skipper in Test cricket. He needs one more century to equal legend Sunil Gavaskar’s record in the longer format of the game. Sunil Gavaskar is currently leading the list with 11 centuries under his name.
Kohli resumed his innings at 76 on July 29th morning. He looked in complete control as he was easily picking up the gaps. In his 103-run (not out) knock, Virat smashed five fours and one six. Soon after he reached his century, Team India declared their second innings for 240 for the loss of three wickets and set 550-run target for the hosts.
Earlier, Team India extended their lead to 498 at stumps on the third day of the opening Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium after skipper Virat Kohli decided against enforcing the follow-on even after taking a mammoth 309-run lead in the first innings. This was the biggest first innings lead by India on Lankan soil.
100s as Indian Test captain
11 Sunil Gavaskar in 74 inns
10 Virat Kohli in 44
9 Mohd Azharuddin in 68
7 Sachin Tendulkar in 43 #SLvInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 29, 2017
SCORECARD
FIRST INNINGS
Team India – Fall Of Wickets (1st Innings): 1-27 (A Mukund, 7.3 over), 2-280 (S Dhawan, 54.1 over), 3-286 (V Kohli, 56.4 over), 4-423 (C Pujara, 97.4 over), 5-432 (A Rahane, 101.1 over), 6-491 (Saha, 114.1 over), 7-495 (R Ashwin, 115.1 over), 8-517 (R Jadeja, 121.2 over), 9-579 (Mohammed Shami, 129.5 over), 10-600 (H Pandya, 133.1 over)
Team Sri Lanka – Fall Of Wickets (1st Innings): 1-7 (Karunaratne, 1.5 over), 2-68 (M Gunathilaka, 14.2 over), 3-68 (Mendis, 14.6 over), 4-125 (U Tharanga, 33.6 over), 5-143 (N Dickwella, 39.2 over), 6-205 (A Mathews, 58.5 over), 7-241 (R Herath, 66.2 over), 8-280 (N Pradeep, 73.5 ov), 9-291 (C Kumara, 78.3 over)
Century for the captain and the dressing room erupts to applaud @imVkohli #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/toVviVvvIQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2017
Just 24 required for another ton! Captain @imVkohli gearing up for Day 4 #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/mLIl00HSoi
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2017
Great day at the office for #TeamIndia with @imVkohli on 76* & @mukundabhinav scoring a brilliant 81. India lead by 498 runs #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/PQMrvc9TtV
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2017
SECOND INNINGS
Team India, Fall Of Wickets (2nd Innings):1-19 (S Dhawan, 3.6 over), 2-56 (C Pujara, 16.5 over), 3-189 (A Mukund, 46.3 over)
Team Sri Lanka, Fall Of Wickets ( 2nd Innings): 1-22 (U Tharanga, 2.5 over), 2-29 (M Gunathilaka, 5.4 over)
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.
Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.
