News Sports Cricket 1st Test, Day 1: Suranga Lakmal rattles India on rain-marred day at Eden Gardens

1st Test, Day 1: Suranga Lakmal rattles India on rain-marred day at Eden Gardens

Pacer Suranga Lakmal picked up KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli in a superb opening spell to leave hosts reeling at 17 for three after bad light stopped first day's play in the rain-interrupted match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

India vs Sri Lanka 2017 Image Source : APSuranga Lakmal celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Lokesh Rahul on day 1 at Kolkata

India struggled with rain, bad light and Sri Lanka's bowlers as it went to stumps at 17/3 on Day 1 of the first Test of the three-match series in Kolkata. Only 11.5 overs were bowled in Kolkata in just 60 minutes of play overall. Suranga Lakmal (3/0) bowled an exceptional six-over spell — all maidens. The pacer took all three wickets as India's top-order collapsed on a green, moisture-laden pitch after Sri Lanka won the toss. (SCORECARD)

Cheteshwar Pujara (8 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (0 not out) were the unbeaten batsmen at the close of play. Lahiru Gamage has 0/16. (MATCH HIGHLIGHTS)

After an early tea was taken, India tried to rebuild its innings from 17/2. But Lakmal trapped Virat Kohli (0) lbw on the eighth ball after the interval. The batsman was ruled out despite DRS review.

Earlier, Lokesh Rahul (0) was caught behind off the very first ball, becoming the sixth Indian batsman to be dismissed off the first ball of a test. Shikhar Dhawan (8) played on and was bowled off Lakmal in the 7th over.

There was only 17 minutes play in the final session. The umpires waited for the light to improve, before calling off the day's play more than an hour before the scheduled time.

Play had been reduced to 55 overs after rain prevented play in the morning session. The weather finally relented to allow the toss to take place four hours behind schedule. Another small interruption then reduced it to 52 overs.