India set Sri Lanka 372-run target after being bowled out for 193 in 1st Test
India strengthened their grip on the opening Test on Tuesday, August 18, setting hosts Sri Lanka a daunting 372-run target for victory after being bowled out for 193 in their second innings, according to a PTI report.
India, who had posted 462 in their first innings, had bowled out Sri Lanka for 284 on Monday to secure a crucial 174-run lead. Returning to the crease on Tuesday, August 18, the visitors batted aggressively, looking to push the total beyond Sri Lanka's reach.
India suffered an early blow when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Asitha Fernando off the third ball of the innings. However, opener KL Rahul (35) and Devdutt Padikkal (44) steadied the innings with a 64-run partnership, taking India to 116 for 4 at lunch.
Rishabh Pant then took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing a 69-ball 66 that included two sixes. The innings also saw him become the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket and the fastest player in the world to reach the milestone, according to the report.
Rahul was dismissed as the second wicket to fall, before Shubman Gill (8) departed cheaply, with Prabath Jayasuriya (3/43) accounting for both dismissals.
India 462 & 193 all out in 48.5 overs (KL Rahul 35, Devdutt Padikkal 44, Rishabh Pant 66; Asitha Fernando 4/31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/43, Lahiru Kumara 2/27).
Sri Lanka 284 in 79.4 overs.
(Inputs from PTI)
