India resumed Day 2 with Wriddhiman Saha and Hardik Pandya at the crease, India were 329 for 6 overnight. But India started in a shabby manner losing Saha for 16 early. It was then left to Pandya and Kuldeep to stitch a partnership and they did just that, the two added 62 runs before Kuldeep Yadav was dismissed. Soon after which Mohammad Shami departed for 8. That meant it was to Hardik Pandya to go on the offensive and he did just that. He brought up his 50 in a sedate manner, but then cut loose. He smashed 26 runs in an over, which comprised of a hat trick of sixes. Hardik Pandya powered his way to his maiden Test century in just 86 balls. His innings was laced with 7 sixes and seven fours. He fell soon after lunch and India were bundled out for a healthy 487.
Sri Lanka then began their first innings but soon found themselves in trouble. They were at a stage reduced to 38 for 4, thanks to some ferocious fast bowling by Shami. Chandimal was the only top order batsman who showed some resistance, but he too departed for 48 of the bowling of Ashwin. Dickwella scored a breezy 31 before he fell prey to Kuldeep Yadav. The hosts were all out for 135 runs. Young Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, he picked up four wickets, whereas Ashwin and Shami shared two wickets a piece. The Lankans were trailing by 352 runs, and without hesitation Virat Kohli asked the hosts to follow on, keeping in mind the fact that his bowlers are fairly fresh.
Job well done and captain @imVkohli asks young @imkuldeep18 to lead and walk out. #TeamIndia enforce the follow-on #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/AkwQkdAW0i
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 13, 2017
Sri Lankans were asked to bat again and they looked very cautious, yet they lost a solitary wicket of Tharanga, which was picked by Umesh Yadav. Lankans still trail by 333 runs in their follow-on. India and Virat Kohli will look to win the Test and whitewash the series tomorrow.
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