India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 1st Test, day 4: 5 things we learnt from the day

#2 Rangana Herath resists with an uncanny half-century

Herath gave Lanka a handy lead with a timely fifty

This Kolkata pitch was not one where you'd expect Rangana Herath to play a massive role on. He loves the dry, dusty bowls of the sub-continent and has thrived there all his career. Yet, the veteran spinner found a way to mark his impression in the game. He played some ugly, yet effective, shots to bring up a fine half-century while taking Lanka to a 100+ lead.

Such was the manner in which Bhuvneshwar and Shami were bowling that anything more than a 50 run lead looked dim for the visitors. But Rangana Herath, batting with the doggedness of Karunaratne and the strangeness of Niroshan Dickwella, compiled a spectacular half-century to take Sri Lanka to a worthy lead. He eventually fell for 67 to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.