2nd Test, Day 1: Rahane, Pujara centuries power India to 344/3 against Sri Lanka

Colombo, Aug 3: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane slammed their respective centuries as India put themselves in a commanding position against Sri Lanka at stumps on first day of the second Test here on Thursday (August 3).

India-SL series schedule; Match scorecard

Pujara (128*) and Rahane (103*) grinded Lankan bowlers as visitors ended the first day's play at a 344/3 at the Sinhale Sports Club.

It was a repitition of a dominating performance from the visitors, who scored 399/3 on first day of Galle Test, and put up another 300-plus total on first day of second Test.

India put up dominating display of batting after skipper Virat Kohli elected to bat after winning the toss. Cheteshwar 'Dependable' Pujara slammed his career's 13th Test ton, second successive 100-plus knock in the series, in his 50th appearance in India whites.

While Rahane slammed a composed ninth century of his Test career and second against Sri Lanka after skipper Kohli's dismissal for 13.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane both register 100s as India finish Day 1 of the 2nd #SLvInd Test 344/3https://t.co/82pbpnXWhW pic.twitter.com/SxA5tUwJdx

— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2017

Together they stitched an unbeaten partnership of 211 and would be hoping to extend it further when they walk into the middle on second day.

Earlier, the visitors got off to a solid start as openers Shikhar Dhawan (35) and Lokesh Rahul (57) put up a 50+ stand for the first wicket before the former perished attempting an ambitious sweep off spinner Dilruwan Parera's first ball of the match.

Rahul, who returned from a viral fever, slammed his sixth successive half-century but couldn't convert his good start into a big total after an unlucky run out. Miscommunication between him and Pujara at the non-striker's end cost the Karnataka batsman his wicket.

Kohli was the third Indian wicket to perish as he once again failed to perform against Rangana Herath's spin at slip.

As far as Sri Lankan team's performance is concerned, the hosts once again were sloppy with their fielding and bowlers didn't look effective in the second Test as well.

Herath (1/83) and Parera (1/68) were the only bowlers who managed to pick up wickets. Earlier, Rahul made it to Playing XI while Abhinav Mukund was rested as rest of the Indian side remained the same.

Sri Lanka on the other hand made three changes to their side from the previous match.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Malinda Pushpakumara, who is making his Test debut, have replaced Danushka Gunathalika, Lahiru Kumara, and Asela Gunaratne, who was injured.

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