Kumar Sangakkara, the
fifth-highest run-scorer in Test
history, was dismissed for 18 in
his last international innings on
Sunday to leave Sri Lanka in
trouble in the second Test against
India.
The hosts, set a tough victory target of 413,
slumped to 33-2 after Sangakkara’s
dismissal before closing the fourth day’s
play at 72-2.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was on 25 and
skipper Angelo Mathews was on 23. Sri
Lanka begin the final day’s play needing
341 more to win with eight wickets in hand.
India declared their second innings at 325-8
in the post-tea session after Ajinkya Rahane
top-scored with 126.
It left the hosts facing a little less than four
sessions to achieve the huge target or bat
out for a draw on a slow, wearing pitch
that should favour India’s spinners.
Sangakkara did not have to wait long to bat
after Sri Lanka lost opener Kaushal Silva in
the third over, tapping a full toss from
Ravichandran Ashwin to the short mid-
wicket fielder.
A full house of some 7,000 home fans
applauded warmly as Sangakkara was
welcomed to the crease by two guards of
honour — one formed by young children
with raised bats near the boundary and
another by Indian fielders.
He hit three boundaries but fell to Ashwin
for the fourth time in as many innings in
the series when he edged a catch to Murali
Vijay off the 18th ball he faced.
© The Express
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