Colombo, Aug 30 (IANS) Ishant Sharma and Stuart Binny clinched a couple of wickets each to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 47/5 at lunch in the first innings on Day 3 of the third Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) here on Sunday.
Ishant had figures of 2/12 and Binny returned 2/14 as they destroyed the Sri Lankan top order. Fellow pacer Umesh Yadav also came up with some penetrative bowling and probably deserved more than the lone wicket of Kaushal Silva that he managed.
In reply to visitors’ first innings score of 312, Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne (0) was at the crease when lunch was taken after the dismissal of Upal Tharanga (4), Kaushal Silva (3), Dinesh Chandimal (23), Angelo Mathews (1) and Dimuth Karunaratne (11).
Earlier, resuming the third day’s play at 292/8, the Indians managed to add only 20 runs to their overnight score.
Opener Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 145 as India were bowled out for 312 in 100.1 overs in their first innings.
Tailenders Ishant Sharma (6) and incoming batsmen Umesh Yadav (4) both fell victims to left-arm spinner Rangana Herath within five overs to end India’s innings.
For the hosts, Dhammika Prasad (4/100) and Herath (3/84) were the pick of the bowlers.