A brilliant day of Test cricket for India! They won a vital toss and have made sure they drive home the advantage. Opener Abhinav Mukund threw his wicket and Shikhar Dhawan offered a chance but the hosts didn't take it and that was it. What followed was mayhem as Dhawan combined with Cheteshwar Pujara to share a 253-run stand. While the former entertained the crowd, the latter was more than happy to play himself in.
Dhawan departed at the stroke of Tea on 190 and Virat Kohli followed him but the pair of Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane consolidated India's position at the top. Both played themselves in without offering any chance as they wore down an undisciplined bowling attack, barring Nuwan Pradeep who bowled the best to claim all three wickets. Pujara has once again been the difference for India as he ensured they did not lose sight of the job on hand. The visitors will aim to bat the hosts out of the game tomorrow if possible. Let's see if they can do that. The home side has plenty to think about. Join us for all the action on Day 2 tomorrow at 1000 local time. Until then, goodbye and take care! (LIVE SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 1 OF 1ST TEST BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA AT GALLE
17.31 IST: Rangana Herath to Cheteshwar Pujara, Floated around off, Cheteshwar Pujara stays back and defends it on the off side. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 1! IND 399/3 in 90 overs
Final over of the day, skipper Rangana Herath comes has the ball in his hands.
17.19 IST: 100 partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. IND 390/3 in 87 overs
17.11 IST: FOUR! Leg byes! Sprayed down the leg side, Rahane tries to tickle it fine. Fails to make contact and the ball brushes his pads and rushes away to the fence. IND 381/3 in 85 overs
This is now the highest score for India on Day 1 of an away Test.
17.07 IST: FOUR! Terrific! Short and wide outside off, Pujara stays back and cuts it really late, past the backward point region for a boundary. IND 376/3 in 84.1 overs
17.03 IST: 5 runs from Pradeep's over. IND 369/3 in 83 overs
The second new ball being taken immediately after the completion of 80th over.
16.42 IST: 350 up for India. The visitors are in total command at the moment. IND 351/3 in 77 overs
Dhananjaya de Silva the substitute fielder seems to be in pain and has called for the physio. Not needed since they can do the treatment off the field. The over rate is already very bad.
16.27 IST: FOUR! Lahiru Kumara bowls it full and wide and Pujara pouncing on it in style, he smashes it through covers. IND 342/3 in 73 overs
16.17 IST: FOUR! Rahane hits Perera for a boundary straight down the ground. Floats it around off, Rahane comes down the track and goes over the mid off region for a boundary. Smart shot! IND 335/3 in 72 overs
16.15 IST: Good over from Lahiru Kumara. Just a single off it. IND 328/3 in 71 overs
15.57 IST: Cheteshwar Pujara slams 12th hundred off 173 balls. IND 315/3 in 66.5 overs
15.42 IST: Another maiden over from Herath. IND 301/3 in 64 overs
15.22 IST: This a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to seize India's momentum. They removed Dhawan just at the stoke of tea, while Kohli fell right at the start of the third session, giving Sri Lanka an opportunity to make a comeback into the match. IND 294/3 in 60 overs
15.13 IST: OUT! Big wicket for Sri Lanka! Shorter in length around middle and leg, Kohli looks to pull it but seems to have missed it. The keeper takes the catch and appeals. It is a loud one and with the umpire saying no, Herath goes for the review after some consultation. Replays show that it is touch and go. There seems to be a faint nick on that one. Ultra Edge takes its time and since there is a small deflection when the ball went past the bat the third umpire thinks it is good enough to be given out. Kohli is not sure of it as he walks off the field. Ideal start for the home side after the break. Pradeep has taken all the three wickets to fall so far. Remember, Kohli had a bit of trouble against the short balls in the ODIs in West Indies. Sri Lanka did their home work well. IND 287/3 in 57 overs
15.09 IST: REVIEW from SL! Pradeep unleashes a top class bounder on skipper Virat Kohli
15.02 IST: Pujara and Kohli are back in the middle. Herath will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka, Pujara on strike.
14.42 IST: India 282/2 at Tea against Sri Lanka. Pujara 75*, Kohli 1*, Dhawan 190
14.38 IST: OUT! Nuwan Pradeep removes Dhawan for 190. IND 280/2 in 54.1 overs. Pujara 74* Dhawan throws it away! Good length delivery outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and tries to go over the fielder at mid off. Mistimes it and the ball goes straight to Mathews who makes no mistake. Captain Virat Kohli joins Pujara in the middle.
14.35 IST: FOUR! Dhawan hits Herath for a boundary! Down the leg side, Dhawan plays another exquisite paddle sweep through the short fine leg region for a boundary. With that he also goes past his personal high score in Tests. IND 280/1 in 54 overs
14.32 IST: A decent over from Pradeep. He concedes three runs off it. IND 271/1 in 53 overs
14.25 IST: A maiden over from Herath! An achievement for Sri Lanka. They have been able to bowl only 3 maiden overs so far. IND 268/1 in 52 overs
14.23 IST: FOUR! There's no stopping Dhawan today! He is on a rampage. Short and wide outside off, Dhawan cuts and cuts hard. the ball goes past the point fielder and races away to the fence. IND 268/1 in 51 overs
14.21 IST: FOUR! Gunathilaka sprays it down the leg side, Dhawan shuffles across and paddles it fine past the keeper for a boundary.
14.19 IST: FOUR! Dhawan is toying with the field! Into the pads, Dhawan stays in his crease and has a big hoick at it. Gets it through the gap in the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. IND 255/1 in 50 overs
14.18 IST: FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan makes room, waits for it and smashes that through the cover region for a boundary.
14.09 IST: FOUR! Hammered! Fuller around off, Dhawan steps out a bit and crashes that straight down the ground through the long on region for a boundary. IND 241/1 in 48 overs
14.08 IST: FOUR! Fuller around off from Herath and Dhawan plays the predetermined paddle scoop over the keeper's head for a boundary.
14.06 IST: Shikhar Dhawan slams 150 off 147 balls. What an innings from The Gabbar! IND 227/1 in 46.3 overs, Pujara 61*
14.05 IST: FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Shikhar Dhawan waits for it. Cuts it really late past the backward point fielder for a boundary. He is just one run short of 150.
14.03 IST: Another good over from Herath. Just a single off it. IND 222/1 in 46 overs
14.01 IST: Dhawan welcomes the debutant with a boundary! Bowls a short delivery around off, Shikhar camps back and pulls it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. IND 221/1 in 45 overs
13.58 IST: A bowling change from Sri Lanka. Danushka Gunathilaka is introduced into the attack.
13.57 IST: A good over from Herath. Just a single off it. IND 212/1 in 44 overs
13.52 IST: FOUR! It is all too easy for Dhawan. This time he sweeps Perera for a boundary. Spilt down the leg side, Dhawan sweeps it again. Through the backward square leg region for a boundary. Second boundary of the over. IND 211/1 in 43 overs
13.50 IST: FOUR! Super hit from Dhawan off Perera. Way down the leg side, Dhawan loves that line, sweeps it away past the short third man fielder for a boundary.
13.42 IST: 200 comes up for India with a single from Pujara. This has been a fabulous partnership for India. IND 201/1 in 41 overs
13.40 IST: FOUR! Nothing is working! Mathews had a word with his teammate there but to no avail. Short and wide outside off, Shikhar Dhawan just stands tall and dispatches it through sweeper cover for a boundary. IND 199/1 in 40 overs
13.38 IST: FOUR! Full toss on the pads, Dhawan pumps it wide of the deep backward square leg region for a boundary.
13.35 IST: FOUR! Hit away! Lahiru Kumara bowls it short and wide outside off, Dhawan smashes it to the deep point fence. Sri Lanka are asking to be hit around the park here.
13.28 IST: FOUR! What a shot that is! Kumara bowls it around off, Pujara just gets across a touch and whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is superb batting. Session run rate so far is 6.38! IND 184/1 in 38 overs
13.26 IST: FOUR! Cheteshwar Pujara hits 16th Test fifty. IND 178/1 in 37.2 overs, Dhawan 111*. Full toss outside off, Pujara creams it through the covers for a boundary. The runs are flowing at ease for India.
13.22 IST: FOUR! Sweet! Perera bowls it short and wide outside off, Dhawan goes back and angles it past backward point for a boundary. Shikhar is all smiles and why not. He has enjoyed his batting. IND 174/1 in 37 overs
13.21 IST: India are in a commanding position here at Galle. Both Dhawan and Pujara are toying with the Sri Lankan attack. IND 166/1 in 36 overs
13.13 IST: FOUR! That's it! Dhawan slams 5th Test hundred off 110 balls. IND 158/1 in 7.3 overs, Pujara 43* Dhawan is back and how! Dilruwan bowls it around off, Shikhar gets down on it and sweeps it through the backward square leg region for a boundary. He celebrates it in his usual way, his second ton at this venue. He has been absolutely magnificent today.
13.10 IST: India reach 150. This is a spectacular start for the visitors.
13.08 IST: FOUR! Dhawan is dealing in boundaries here. He welcomes Nuwan Pradeep with a four on the off side. He is just 5 runs away from his century.
13.05 IST: FOUR! Shorter outside off, Dhawan camps back and just glides behind short third man for a boundary. This is all too easy. IND 145/1 in 33 overs
13.04 IST: FOUR! Dhawan welcomes Dilruwan Perera with a boundary. Swept and swept hard! Floats it around off, Dhawan comes down on it and sweeps it hard in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.
12.57 IST: FOUR! Too easy! Floated outside off from Dilruwan Perera and Dhawan comes down the track and smacks it through the gap between the two fielders at covers for a boundary. IND 136/1 in 31 overs
12.51 IST: FOUR! All in control! Shorter in length from Pradeep and Dhawan gets on top of it, rolls his wrists over it and gets it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Mathews in the deep did not spot it at all. IND 131/1 in 30 overs
12.49 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Dhawan off Herath. This time Dhawan goes to the left of the bowler and smashes this one down the ground for a boundary. IND 127/1 in 29 overs. Also, 100-run stand comes up between Dhawan and Pujara.
12.48 IST: FOUR! Beautifuly driven by Shikhar Dhawan. He is at his best! Herath bowls it outside off, Dhawan strides out of his crease, just punches his drive wide of mid off for a boundary. Superb timing, even better placement!
12.45 IST: Nuwan Pradeep concedes just 2 runs in the first over after lunch. IND 117/1 in 28 overs
12.42 IST: Good length around off, comes in a long way, Dhawan shapes to clip but is hit on his pads. The players appeal but the umpire stays put. Herath ponders about the review but does not go for it. That looked high and also going down leg.
12.40 IST: Welcome back to the second session of Day 1. Players are making their way back onto the field. India will look to further consolidate their position with Dhawan and Pujara. Meanwhile, Sri Lana look to unsettle the Indians with some wickets. An exciting session is on the cards. The hosts begin the proceedings with Nuwan Pradeep! Here we go...
12.15 IST: Lunch Report
Shikhar Dhawan posted a half century and combined with Cheteshwar Pujara in an unbroken 82-run stand for the second wicket Wednesday as India reached 115/1 at lunch at lunch on day one of the first Test. Dhawan was unbeaten on 64 off 78 deliveries, including eight boundaries, and Pujara was on 37 from 59 balls. After losing the toss, Nuwan Pradeep found an early breakthrough for Sri Lanka when he switched to the Dutch Fort End and had Abhinav Mukund (12) caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella.
Fellow quick Lahiru Kumara was unlucky not to pick up a wicket when Dhawan was dropped on 31 by Asela Gunaratne at second slip, with India at 59/1.
Gunaratne left the field with an injured left thumb and didn't return to the field for the rest of the session. The Indian batsmen were aggressive against the Sri Lankan spinners without allowing them to settle down. India recovered from an opening loss to win the series last time it toured Sri Lanka.
Allrounder Hardik Pandya was given his test debut for India, coming into the starting XI ahead of Rohit Sharma. Top-order batsman Danushka Gunathilaka was picked to make his debut for Sri Lanka.
12.02 IST: A great session for the Indians after they won the toss and opted to bat on good batting track at Galle. Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund gave India a steady start before Mukund was dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep. But Dhawan continued to play his natural game and along with Pujara, he took the attack to the opposition. The southpaw, who got a life earlier, has already gone past his fifty and is looking all set for a big knock. Meanwhile, Dhawan and Pujara's stand is worth 88* now and has put India into a commanding position. On the other hand, the Lankan bowlers have not been disciplined and bowled too many poor balls. Rangana Herath will have a lot of thinking to do as India are going at a really good rate. Join us in a while for the second session.
12.01 IST: India 115/1 at Lunch against Sri Lanka. Dhawan 64*, Pujara 37*
11.58 IST: Good over from Perera. He gives away just two runs. IND 109/1 in 26 overs
11.54 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Dhawan. Fuller down the leg side, Dhawan kneels down and brings out the sweep. Gets it through the backward square leg region for a boundary. The Indian opener looks solid here and is now dominating the spinners. IND 107/1 in 25 overs
11.53 IST: FOUR! Dhawan drives Herath for a boundary to bring up India's 100. Dhawan charged down the track, got to the pitch of the ball and hit it down the track past the bowler for a boundary.
11.46 IST: Fifty for Dhawan off only 62 balls. This is his 4th half-century in Test cricket. It has been a fine innings from the southpaw today. India 92/1 in 22 overs. Dhawan 50*, Pujara 28*
11.42 IST: Another good over from Herath. He concedes just two runs. IND 87/1 in 21 overs
11.40 IST: Dilruwan Perera gives away a couple of runs. IND 85/1 in 20 overs
11.36 IST: Good over from Herath. He starts off with a single. IND 83/1 in 19 overs
11.33 IST: Skipper Rangana Herath introduces himself into the attack. He will hope to make an impact early as the Indian batsmen looked settled in the middle.
11.29 IST: FOUR! Good shot! Another delivery banged in short from Lahiru Kumara and Dhawan camps back, rides the bounce and pulls it with grit through the square leg region for a boundary. IND 82/1 in 18 overs
11.28 IST: Fifty-run stand comes up between Dhawan and Pujara. IND 77/1 in 17.2 overs
11.22 IST: A decent over for India as Lahiru Kumara gives away 4 runs. IND 69/1 in 16 overs
11.10 IST: Dropped! Edged and put down by Asela Gunaratne at slip. Dhawan survives but the hosts might have another injury scare here as Gunaratne looks in genuine pain. The Sri Lankan physio is in the middle and he is taking Gunaratne out of the field. Meanwhile, a great over for India, 13 off it. IND 60/1 in 14 overs
11.08 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! Fuller into the pads, Dhawan whips it through the backward square leg region. Nuwan Pradeep goes to his right from fine leg to stop the ball but is no where close from stopping the boundary.
11.07 IST: FOUR! Shot! Short delivery from Lahiru Kumara into the batsman, Dhawan stays in his crease and pulls it through the fine leg region for a boundary.
11.05 IST: Lahiru Kumara returns for a bowl. He wasn't at his best in his first spell.
11.04 IST: Drinks on the field. An easy passage of play for India. Mukund would rue missing out on an opportunity to score big on a placid deck. There were a few nervy moments just before the break for the pair at the crease. Pujara was seen holding his left shoulder. India will hope he is fit enough.
11.01 IST: A maiden over from Dilruwan Perera. IND 47/1 in 13 overs
10.57 IST: FOUR! Put away by Pujara! Pradeep drifts it into the pads, Pujara won't miss out on such balls as he clips it beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 47/1 in 12 overs
10.56 IST: Pradeep slips while trying to deliver the ball. Hopefully he is fine. Didn't land well there and almost twisted his left ankle.
10.55 IST: CLOSE! Length ball around off, Pujara comes forward to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball threatens to go towards the stumps but the batsman is aware to it and keeps it out. That came in sharply into Pujara and hence he got an inside edge.
10.54 IST: Good over from Dilruwan Perera, just two off it. IND 43/1 in 11 overs
10.50 IST: Decent over from Pradeep, three off it. IND 41/1 in 10 overs
10.45 IST: FOUR! Thumped! Floats it around off, Dhawan comes down and spanks it through wide mid off for a boundary. Superb shot, that. IND 38/1 in 9 overs
10.42 IST: FOUR! Edged! Good length just outside off, Pujara is surprised by the bounce so plays it with soft hands. The edge does not carry and runs into the third man fence. IND 31/1 in 8 overs
10.38 IST: OUT! Pradeep draws first blood, removes Mukund for 12. Full and outside off, Mukund hangs his bat out for it. The ball takes the edge and carries to the keeper. An easy catch for Dickwella and Abhinav continues to not make the most of the chances presented to him. A timely wicket for Sri Lanka. Cheteshwar Pujara comes out to bat. IND 27/1 in 7.3 overs
10.34 IST: FOUR! Dhawan welcomes Perera with a boundary. Too full on middle and leg, Dhawan won't miss out and he clips it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. False start for Perera! IND 27/0 in 7 overs
10.33 IST: Sri Lanka bring spin into the attack. Dilruwan Perera looks to unsettle the Indian openers.
10.30 IST: FOUR! Little bit of room from Lahiru Kumara and Mukund plays it on the backfoot for a boundary. It was a short and wide delivery outside off, Mukund goes back and punches it through the covers for a boundary. This is too easy for the Indians. Poor plans so far. IND 23/0 in 6 overs
10.25 IST: Another good over from Pradeep - a single off it. IND 16/0 in 5 overs
10.19 IST: FOUR! Poor line from Lahiru Kumara and punished by Mukund! On the pads, Mukund clips it through the square leg region for a boundary. Easy pickings, these. IND 15/0 in 4 overs
10.16 IST: FOUR! Top Shot from Dhawan. A tad full and just around off from Pradeep and Dhawan comes forward and just pushes it down the ground through mid off for a boundary. Top shot, really. IND 11/0 in 3 overs
10.12 IST: Good over from Lahiru Kumara. Just a single off it. IND 5/0 in 2 overs
10.07 IST: Lahiru Kumara to share the new ball with Nuwan Pradeep. Similar field set for him.
10.05 IST: Some issues with the sightcreen and Dhawan is not happy. A good start for India. They are 4/0 in 1 over
10.00 IST: Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund are at the crease to open for India. Nuwan Pradeep will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka. He has three slips in place for him. Here we go...
9.50 IST: Captain's Corner
Virat Kohli: We are going to bat first. Looks like a nice surface. Putting runs on the board is a nice thing. KL is down with flu, Dhawan steps in for him. Shami, Umesh, Jadeja, Ashwin with Hardik as the all rounder. Last time we thought we were a batsman short, this time we are trying a solid combination. Hardik is a wicket taker and he gives us the much needed balance for the side. Last time we didn't start well. So now we're looking to rectify that.
Rangana Herath: I would have batted first. It's a good track and I want to restrict them to a low score and take it on from there.
9.40 IST: Playing XIs:
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Abhinav Mukund, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath (C), Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep
9.30 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bat. Hardik Pandya makes his Test debut, Shikhar Dhawan included in place of KL Rahul. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami are the two fast bowlers, while R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the spinners.
9.25 IST: Alright, news from the centre is that Hardik Pandya has been given his Test cap, which makes him the 289th Test cricketer for India. However, it could also mean that Rohit Sharma will sit out.
9.15 IST: Meanwhile, news from the Indian camp is that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is line for Test debut today. The impressive youngster is a regular in the limited-overs side. He got a Test call-up in the series against England but failed to a game. However, now he looks certain to feature in the team as India's 289th Test player. Pandya will be in as the fifth bowler and can also provide solidarity to the lower-middle order.
9.00 IST: Sri Lanka's new Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal won't be available in this match after he suffered from a bout of pneumonia last week. In his absence, Rangana Herath - the strong man from Sri Lanka - will lead the side.
Brief Preview: After a dominating end to the home Test season that included series wins against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia, India are all set to start afresh under new coach Ravi Shastri, when they take on Sri Lanka in the three-Test series here.
Going into the first Test of the series on Wednesday, the Virat Kohli-led side will have in their mind their previous tour to the island nation in 2015, when they bounced back from a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 win and gradually ascend to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
The Galle International Stadium hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Indians, having managed a single win, way back in 2008 and thereafter losing three on the trot.
In 2015, India succumbed to a 63-run loss on the penultimate day, thanks to a magical seven-wicket haul by veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who will be leading the side in the first Test in the absence of newly-appointed skipper Dinesh Chandimal, down with pneumonia.
But the young Indian side bounced back well to win the next two matches in Colombo, and claim the series 2-1.
The only factor common between the series then and now is the presence of former India all-rounder Shastri. He was then Team Director then and now is the newly-appointed coach with his own set of support staff, that includes Bharat Arun's return as the bowling coach.
Combining the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, India have lost only one out of 23 Tests (against Australia at Pune) since that defeat in Galle. (Read Full Preview Here)
