Sri Lanka was up against it again on 86 for 6 in reply to India’s 252 on the opening day of the second and final test at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. On a tricky turning wicket generating bounce India’s bowlers ploughed through the Sri Lankan frontline prising out the top six of Kusal Mendis for 2, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne 4, Lahiru Thirimanne 8, Charith Asalanka 5, Dhananjaya de Silva 10, and Angelo Mathews for 43 who was the only Lankan batsmen to play with resolve. Mathews defied the Indian attack in an 85-ball knock mixed with defence and aggression striking 2 sixes and 3 fours but could not translate it to good measure falling on the dot of time to the close. The last of the recognised batsmen at the crease was Niroshan Dickwella on 13.

Jasprt Bumrah 3 for 15 and Mohammed Shami 2 for 18 changed the tide for India dismissed for what looked an under par total.

The Indians themselves were at the receiving end tottering on 86 for 4 with the top two of Virat Kohli 23 and Skipper Rohit Sharma 15 not living up to expectations with Lasith Embuldeniya accounting for Sharma whom he had caught by Dhananjaya de Silva who proceeded to trap Kohli leg before wicket. It took newcomer Shreyas Iyer to pull the side out of the woods with a exhilarating 98-ball 92 studded with 10 boundaries and 4 over the top in demonstrating that there was no substitute for commitment as India recovered from 5 for 126. Rishabh Pant made 39.

The main Lankan wicket takers were Praveen Jayawickrema 3 for 81 and Lasith Embuldeniya 3 for 94.