India beat Sri Lanka by 117 runs to clinch series 2-1

Ishant Sharma is congratulated by his teammates after he dismissed Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews

India won the third and final Test against Sri Lanka by 117 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-1. Ishant Sharma was the hero for the visitors as India were able to pull off an exciting victory in a match which went into the final session on the fifth day.

Cheteshwar Pujara was awarded the Man of the Match award for his brilliant undefeated knock of 145 in the first innings while the Man of the Series award was grabbed by Ravichandran Ashwin who impressed with 21 wickets in the three matches.

Resuming the final day’s play at 67/3, skipper Angelo Mathews and debutant Kusal Perera led a spirited fightback for the hosts which at one time even threatened to chase down the target of 386, but India kept their nerve to pull off their first series win in the island nation for 22 years and their first overseas series victory since 2011.

Mathews made the most of a chance earlier in the day where he was caught by the keeper of the bowling of Ishant Sharma only for the umpire to rightly turn down the appeal calling no ball for overstepping. Along with Perera, who got his second half-century in his Test debut, took the attack to the opposition with the latter especially continuing from where he left off in the first innings.

Sri Lanka fought back superbly on the final day starting the day’s play with the score on 67/3. The Indian fast bowlers quickly got on the act with Umesh Yadav forcing Kaushal Silva to hurry into playing a pull shot that he could only hit to Cheteshwar Pujara at midwicket.

Lahiru Thirimanne was the next to go with KL Rahul making up for his drop in the first innings to take a quick reflex catch, albeit on his second attempt to bring Perera to the crease, who counter-attacked at will.

Mathews who made 110 and Perera who made 70 were playing confidently as the hosts looked like taking the game away from India having lost only two wickets in the first 58 till then. Ashwin’s dismissal of the latter just before tea proved decisive as skipper Virat Kohli took the second new ball right when it became available.

Ishant Sharma took the key wicket of Mathews after which the spin duo of Ashwin and Mishra got rid of the tail in quick time. Ashwin picked up 4 wickets while Umesh Yadav picked up 2 wickets.

Virat Kohli would be delighted with his bowlers who had a wonderful outing with everybody chipping in with wickets, especially Ishant Sharma picked up eight wickets in the match. But it was Pujara’s innings that proved decisive in helping Kohli claim his first series win as India skipper.

Match Summary:

India – 312 & 274 ; Sri Lanka 201 & 268

Result: India won by 117 runs

India won the Test series 2-1