Sharma can't bat. He's been sent down the order to protect him from the new ball, and still can't bat.
His 264 was vs a sleeping Sri Lanka that were rushed into playing an improntu ODI series because WI walked out. He keeps failing outside India, only makes runs vs minnows and averages 39 in ODIs in a very batting friendly era.
If you remove the 288 runs Rohit Sharma scored in his first 2 Test matches at home against the West Indies, his average is just 25.33 with a high score of 79 in 12 matches. As Trini pointed out, he has really struggled against pace bowlers, especially right-arm pace bowlers, averaging 21.25.
Pujara carried his bat finishing 145*. India added 20 runs in the morning before eventually being dismissed for 312. India have made quick work of Sri Lanka's top order, reducing them to 43/3, although in seeing the replays, I thought Chandimal was slightly unlucky to have been given out lbw.
Disastrous session of cricket for Sri Lanka. India with the whip hand as they reduce Sri Lanka to 47/5. Not exactly a great position for Kusal Perera to come in on debut.
India needs to get to only about 150-ish runs. A target of 260 will be a mountain on this pitch.Remember Galle ?
I reckon the pitch will wear off after this.
Historically, teams batting fourth have won 8 and lost 8 at the SSC. There have been 7 4th innings scores of 240+ here, however, since 2010, the highest fourth innings score is 165 by Pakistan. From 2005-2009, only three teams batted fourth but all 3 scored 335+. Rain could still very well play a large part in this match.
A hot day combined with little in the pitch for the spinners has helped combined to make this India's morning. India have added 91 runs for just the loss of Virat Kohli They now lead by 223 runs.
Rohit Sharma gets to 50 and inexplicably throws his wicket away right before lunch. What was he thinking? He fell right into the trap set by Mathews for the short ball. India 122/5 - a lead of 233.
