Mohali: India took control of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka after all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja scored unbeaten 175 runs at stumps on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were 108/4, and trail India by 466 runs.
R Ashwin picked up 2 wickets while Ravindra Jadeja got the big scalp of Sri Lanka capstan Dimuth Karunaratne and Jasprit Bumrah the wicket of senior batter Angelo Matthews as India had Sri Lanka in trouble.
Young Pathum Nissanka (26*), who looked solid in the middle, holds the key if Sri Lanka are to avoid a follow-on.
For India, Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket each.
Resuming from their overnight score of 357/6, India got off to a steady start on Saturday with Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin keeping the scoreboard moving.
While Ashwin was not missing out on opportunities to put bad balls away, Jadeja took his time, making sure India wore the Sri Lankan bowling attack, which was without an injured Lahiru Kumara, down.
This was Jadeja’s career-best score, and also the highest by an Indian player batting at no. 7, India were 357 for 6 at stumps on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test.