Kolkata Test: Dhawan-Rahul pair shines to put India in comfortable position on Day 4

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Kolkata, Nov 19: India openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan put up a 166-run stand for the first wicket as India posted 171/1 in their second innings at stumps on Day 4 of the Kolkata Test.

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Dhawan was unlucky to score another fine century as he was dismissed for 94 while Rahul remained unbeaten at 73*. Cheteshwar Pujara (2*) will come out to bat with Rahul on the fifth day after Indian Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami picked restricted the hosts to 294 in their first innings.

Sri Lankan batsmen did exceedingly well against India and took a lead of 122-runs in the first innings on day four of the Kolkata Test. But a sensational batting effort by openers in the second innings almost punctured the hopes of the visitors of putting any pressure on Indians.

After failing to impress in the first innings, both the Indian openers came out to make a statement. They constructed their innings well on a track which now looked conducive for batting. In no time both their openers found their touch and made most of the favourable conditions.

Rahul, who was dismissed for the first ball of the match in the first innings, went on to Dhawan went on slamming his career's tenth half-century. Dhawan followed his partner soon and notched up his fifty. Dhawan shifted gears soon after completing his half-century and punished the visitors. However, the southpaw was unlucky to have been dismissed for 94.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the new man in as skipper Virat Kohli sent him in place of a night-watchman. But bad light forced the umpires to force stumps early at 4.30 PM. 18 overs of play was remaining before the signalled the batsmen towards the pavilion.

Earlier, the visitors were restricted to 294 from 83.4 overs by Indian bowlers but not before taking a fair enough lead. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/88) and Mohammed Shami (4/100) shared four wickets each while Umesh Yadav returned with two wickets.

It was one of those rare occasions when Indian pacers picked up all the wickets and spinners failed to do any damage in the first innings.

Earlier, Sri Lankan batsmen did exceedingly well against Indian bowlers on day three and reduced the deficit of innings to just 7 runs in the first Test here on. Their batsman would now be hoping to bat late on day four and take a considerable lead against hosts to put themselves in a dominating position.

The visitors resumed their innings from 165/4 before bad light forced another early stump on day three. Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella are the overnight batsmen and they'll continue batting on Sunday on a track which is getting better for batting.

India, on the other hand, would be eyeing to pick up early wickets. The weather is good today and things will be tough for the hosts to trouble visiting side.

Earlier on Saturday, Umesh Yadav produced two wickets in the space of 10 deliveries but that was not enough for India to prevent Sri Lanka from moving into a commanding position.

Umesh broke the 99-run third wicket alliance between Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne to give India the much-needed breakthrough in the final session.

Mathews too holed out to KL Rahul at covers for 52 off Umesh as India gained a wide foothold.