India lose early wicket after being set tricky target of 176 runs.
India were set a tricky target of 176 runs to win the first Test against Sri Lanka after Dinesh Chandimal produced a counter-attacking unbeaten 162 to lead a spirited fightback for the hosts on Day 3, in Galle, on Friday.
Tottering at a precarious 95 for five at one stage, after conceding a 192-run first innings lead, Chandimal staged a remarkable recovery as he notched up a career-best knock to help Sri Lanka amass 367 in the second innings.
The Indians have themselves to blame for allowing the hosts to wriggle out of a tight position, even though there were some dubious umpiring decisions that went against them.
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India were 23 for one at stumps, requiring another 153 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The visitors lost opener Lokesh Rahul (5), who was trapped leg before by Rangana Herath.
Shikhar Dhawan (13) and Ishant Sharma (5) were at the crease at the end of the day's play.
Chandimal's effort not only helped the Lankans avoid an innings defeat but gave them a sizable lead to throw open the match on a track providing some turn for the slow bowlers.
The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman found able allies in Lahiru Thirimanne (44) and Jehan Mubarak (49) as they put on valuable partnerships to frustrate the Indians.
It was a commendable fightback from the Sri Lankans, who counter-attacked the Indian spinners and completely destroyed their rhythm.
At lunch time, it looked as if India would run away with an easy victory, with Sri Lanka reeling at 108 for five. However, Chandimal changed the complexion of the game as he clobbered the bowlers to register his fourth Test century.
He hit 23 boundaries, including four sixes, during his fighting knock and raised a 125-run stand with Thirimanne for the sixth wicket.
With Mubarak he was involved in a 82-run partnership for the seventh.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took six for 46 in the first innings, was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming four for 114. In the process, he completed his third 10-wicket haul in a Test.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra took three for 61 while Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron and Harbhajan Singh accounted for a batsman each.
