India crush Sri Lanka by record 304 runs, lead 1-0 in 3-Test cricket series

Galle: India began their Sri Lankan tour with a bang as the Virat Kohli-led unit, on Day 4 of the first Test on Saturday, defeated hosts by 304 runs to win the Galle Test and took 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

Ravichandran Ashwin's three-wicket haul in the post tea session helped India move closer to a big win before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Lahiru Kumara to complete India's win. Injured Rangana Herath and Asela Gunaratne did not bat as India sealed their biggest win in Sri Lanka on the run-margin.

The Indian off-spinner dismissed Niroshan Dickwella, Gunathilaka and Lahiru Kumara in the final session on Day 4 as India continued their domination against the Rangana Herath-led side.

Gunathilaka and Dickwella put up 101-run stand to revive some hopes of Sri Lankan fightback, with Niroshan Dickwella scoring 67 runs. Sri Lanka were 192/4 at tea, chasing 550 runs, against India on Day 4 of the first Test in Galle on Saturday. But Dickwella fell when Sri Lanka's score was 217.

Earlier, while Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews got out cheaply, Gunathilaka and Dickwella managed to keep India at bay after Ravindra Jadeja scalped Mendis and Mathews quickly in the post lunch session. However, the Sri Lankan duo did not allow India to run through their innings.

While Danushka Gunathilaka and Mendis shared 79-run stand, Jadeja's twin strikes has more or less ended Sri Lanka's hopes of salvaging a draw in the opening Test



of the three-match Test series against Virat Kohli and Co.

Before lunch on Day 4, India had taken some strides to win the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday as Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have struck early to dismiss Upul Tharanaga and Danushka Gunathilaka cheaply. Sri Lanka were 2 down for 85 at lunch on Day 4 of the opening Test in Galle.

Earlier, India declared their second innings at 240/3 on Day 4 of the 1st Test on Saturday, shortly after Virat Kohli brought up his 17th Test ton, to set 550-run target for hosts Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli-led side tightened its grip on the Galle Test.

Skipper Virat Kohli, who was batting on 76 at stumps on Day 3, completed his 17th Test ton as he and Ajinkya Rahane score in rapid pace to pulverise Sri Lanka. The two scored 50 in 7 overs on Day 4 before India declared their innings at 240/3.

Preview:

498-run lead in the bank, seven wickets in hand and India will take the field on Day 4 of the first Test on Saturday to push Sri Lanka out of the game in Galle. After the batsmen slammed 600 runs as India elected to bat, the bowlers came to the party to dismiss Rangana Herath and Co for 291.

India did not enforce the follow-on despite securing 309-run lead in the first innings. The Indian batsmen instead added to Sri Lanka's misery by smashing 189 runs more at stumps on Day 3, with Abhinav Mukund scoring 81 and skipper Virat Kohli batting unbeaten on 76.