Sri Lanka vs India 2017: 5 things that India did right to beat Sri Lanka

#3 The partnership between Pujara and Rahane

Pujara and Rahane added 217 for the fourth wicket

Openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul gave India a pretty steady start with India’s 50 coming up within 10 overs. However, Dhawan couldn’t convert his good start into a big score as he was dismissed for 35 from 37 deliveries.

KL Rahul brought up his fifty but even he didn’t stay long after that as some miscommunication between him and Cheteshwar Pujara resulted in the Karnataka batsman being sent back for 57. Skipper Virat Kohli soon followed Rahul back into the pavilion after scoring just 13 and India were 133/3.

At this point, two of India’s most reliable batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, were at the crease and the duo proved why they were called so as they played with a lot of composure.

With a blend of immaculate footwork and sublime timing, both Rahane and Pujara reached their hundreds and India were in a strong position. The duo added 217 runs for the fourth wicket before Pujara was sent back for 133. Rahane was on the crease for a while before he was dismissed for 132.

However, by the time both Pujara and Rahane were dismissed, India’s tone had already been set by their partnership.