Sri Lanka vs India 2017: 1st Test Day 3, 5 talking points

#1 Kohli and Mukund build solid lead

Abhinav Mukund redeemed himself with a well-composed half-century

Virat Kohli joined hands with Abhinav Mukund for the first time in a Test, despite the duo debuting together way back in 2011, to compile an urgent looking partnership. Mukund looked much more solid in his second outing while Kohli notched up his first half-century in eight Test innings.

The duo started off in speedy fashion with Kohli driving Kumara through the covers off the first ball he faced and Mukund following suit in Kumara's next over. Both were tested with short balls but Kohli was keen to negotiate that tactic today and a couple of cracking shots off Pradeep proved he was in his groove. Mukund, meanwhile, revived his Test career with a career best score of 81, possibly taking confidence from his stunning fielding display at silly point yesterday. He would, however, rue his dismissal in the last over of the day's play.