IND v SL: Pant Gives India Control On Day 1

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India vs Sri Lanka: A solid batting performance led by Rishabh Pant helped India score 357/6 on day 1 of the first test against Sri Lanka at PCA Stadium, Mohali. 

Winning his first toss as test captain, Rohit Sharma had no doubt but to bat. Virat Kohli playing his 100th test match was felicitated ahead of the game by head coach Rahul Dravid. 

Openers Rohit and Mayank Agarwal began well as they smacked inconsistent Sri Lankan fast bowlers for boundaries. Indian captain in particular looked in good touch picking length balls and sending them towards the boundary. 

However, his aggression was the reason for his dismissal as an attempted pull was caught by Suranga Lakmal at fine leg. Rohit got out scoring 29 off 28 balls. 

Hanuma Vihari came out to bat at number three and looked in fine flow as he scored some fluent drives around the ground. Mayank looked a bit unsure and was trapped in front by Lasith Embuldeniya for 33. 

However, the Indian crowd roared at his dismissal as Virat Kohli walked in to bat. The former India captain played a lofted cover drive to get off the mark and soon marked his presence with a glorious straight drive. 

Kohli and Vihari continued their partnership after lunch and added 90 runs in 155 balls. Virat was then dismissed in the 18th over after lunch as Embuldeniya's spin surprised the milestone man. 

The famed batter yet again missed his 71st century after completing 8,000 test runs, and that too after producing some remarkable shots in his 100th international test. 

Vihari was also dismissed three overs later by left-arm medium-pacer Vishwa Fernando as Sri Lanka made a comeback with two quick wickets. 

Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant took the Indian innings forward with their 53-run stand for the fifth wicket. The duo took its time to get settled and just when Shreyas began looking in complete control, he was trapped in front by Dhananjaya de Silva. 

Ravindra Jadeja joined Pant at the crease. The Indian wicketkeeper had already set his eyes and was looking for the opportunities to unleash himself on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Just after Pant crossed fifty, he smacked Embuldeniya and De Silva in three consecutive overs to quickly move into the 90s. 

Jadeja kept giving him the strike as Pant looked to reach the three-figure mark. In the meantime, Sri Lanka took the new ball and the move worked immediately as Pant tried to defend a swinging ball from Lakmal but missed it to get bowled on 96. 

With the final 20 minutes remaining, Jadeja and Ashwin safely took India to 357/6 in 85 overs. 

Brief Scorecard: 

India - 357/6 in 85 overs (Rishabh Pant - 96, Hanuma Vihari - 58)