Sri lankan keeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal credited the Indian bowlers for their brilliant performance on day one. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took 6-46.
“All credit goes to their bowlers and they bowled really well,” said Chandimal after the day’s play. “The last 2-3 days the pitch was under covers, and suddenly they took it off this morning. With the dew on the wicket there was a bit of turn and the Indian spinners exploited it nicely.”
“The wicket got dry in the afternoon and there was not much turn in the last session. And we didn’t click as a batting unit. It can happen. We are looking forward to the next innings,” he added.
Ashwin took his best figures outside India close on the heels of 5-87 against Bangladesh in Fatullah on the previous tour. “He bowled really well and the Indian spinners didn’t give any pace to us. As batsmen, it then becomes really difficult to get runs with the straight shots,” he said.