Herath scripts a magnificent victory for Sri Lanka as India lose first Test by 63 runs

Herath, after going barren in the first innings came back strongly to pick 7 wickets for 48 runs in his 21 overs to essay an important and emphatic victory for his nation.

Resuming on their overnight score of 23 for 1, the Indian innings folded for a mere 112 as the visitors lost 6 wickets in the morning
session of play.

Only four Indian batsmen managed their score in excess of 9, rest, including captain Kohli failed to contribute much. Kohli made 3, exactly 100 runs less than his first innings score. Rohit Sharma’s dubious run continued as the Mumbai Indians captain managed a 9 and 4 in his respective innings.

Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha got out for 2, Harbhajan Singh for 1 and Ravi Ashwin for 3, all falling prey to Herath’s guile.

After a five wicket haul in the first innings, young Sinhalese spinner, Kaushal bowled in tandem with the vastly experienced Herath to cause trouble for the ‘Men in Blue’. The offie picked up the remaining 3 wickets while giving away 47 runs.

Ajinkya Rahane was the lone warrior for the visitors. The Mumbaikar scored 36 runs from 76 deliveries and posted 21 runs along with Amit Mishra (15) for the 9th wicket, the highest in the Indian innings.

Dinesh Chandimal was adjudged the Man-of-the-match for his brilliant century in the second innings which helped the Lankans take a
significant lead, which culminated in a win.

Earlier in 2009, Sri Lanka had successfully managed to defend 178 runs against Pakistan. The then Pakistani side fell short by 50 runs.

Indian skipper Kohli said: "We got no one to blame but ourselves. Credit to Angelo and his team. We failed to capitalise after taking the first five wickets . We should have finished the game in that session. A bad session and the game can turn, that is how Test cricket is."

Crediting his team for the victory , Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said: "What a turnaround. I am completely speechless, Great effort."