Sri Lanka on top after Day One by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Scorecard:	Sri Lanka v India
Player:	NT Paranavitana, TM Dilshan
Event:	India in Sri Lanka 2010

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DateLine: 26th July 2010

 

Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana slammed their second successive centuries as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second Test against India. Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.

 

The Indians put up a pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start. Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

 

Electing to bat, the Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians. The opening pair put on a brisk 99 runs for the first wicket before Ojha provided the breakthrough by evicting the hard-hitting Dilshan with VVS Laxman latching on to a brilliant catch at short extra cover. Dilshan struck ten boundaries during his 42-ball knock which allowed the home team to take the initiative from the word go.

 

Paranavitana and Sangakkara then served a fine exhibition of batting. The duo were in no discomfort at all as they scored at a quick pace. Both Paranavitana and Sangakkara completed their centuries in the same over off Virender Sehwag. The pair stitched 174 runs for the second wicket before Paranavitana fell to Ishant Sharma immediately after completing his century.