Ashwin decimates Sri Lanka, India win Colombo Test to make it 1-1
Clouds kept hanging over the P Sara Oval on Monday morning, but the Sri Lankan batsmen were in harakiri mode against Indian spinners, who, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, buried the hosts under the pressure of 412 runs to win the second Test by 278 runs.
As the lunch neared, the clouds got lower and angrier, but the Sri Lankans almost ignored the fact that it might rain soon and played what should be term irresponsible cricket against an on-song Ashwin and Amit Mishra.
The spearhead offspinner ran through the hosts' line-up with figures of 5 for 42 turning the ball square and looking like taking a wicket every ball. Mishra did his bit to not let the pressure ease from the other end. He bagged 3 for 29 and is noticeably growing in confidence with every outing.
The spinners' job was aided by Umesh Yadav on the fifth morning. The right-arm pacer, who replaced Varun Aaron for this Test, struck with the first ball of the day to remove dangerman Angelo Mathews - the first-innings centurion.
The last hope Sri Lankans had was rain washing out the day. The threat was there and it turned into a slight scare for India when it started pouring 10 minutes before lunch. But that was just a passing shower at 130 for 9, and the Indian team returned to do the last rites for a convincing victory.
The victory was special for Virat Kohli - his first as captain in five attempts. And it coincided with a historic match, that saw Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara bow out after a 15-year illustrious career.
Ashwin, who took his second five-for of the tour, now has 17 wickets in two Tests here, and remains the major threat for the Sri Lankans going into the third Test at the SSC beginning August 28.
The win also keeps India's hopes of breaking a 23-year jinx alive. The last time they won a Test series in Sri Lanka was 1993. And as things stand, with Sangakkara having hung his boots, there are every chances of India creating history with thier new Test captain.
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