India continued their dominance at home as the Rohit Sharma-led side clinched a whitewash win in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The hosts bundled out the Lankan Lions for 208 while chasing 447 in the second innings in Bengaluru to conclude the match within a span of three days.
Sri Lanka had lost an early wicket in the chase after Lahiru Thirimane was trapped in front of the stumps by Jasprit Bumrah for zero. But Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis tried to steady the ship for the side as the two batters chipped in with a partnership of 97 runs for the second wicket.
But Mendis was then shown the exit gate after he was stumped out by Rishabh Pant off Ashwin for 54 and his dismissal certainly broke the shackles as the visiting side lost wickets at regular intervals.
While the skipper Karunaratne showed some mettle and held the fort at one end, he didn’t really get any support on the other side. The left-hander was pretty much patient during the course of his knock but didn’t shy away from putting away the deliveries that fell in his radar.
The captain’s innings finally came to an end after he was cleaned up by a perfect ball from Jasprit Bumrah for 107 off 174, a knock that included 15 fours. The Sri Lankan team never really looked in control during the chase in Bengaluru.
R Ashwin who has now become the 8th highest wicket-taker in Test cricket bagged a four-wicket haul while Jasprit Bumrah had three scalps to his name. Axar Patel also picked up two wickets. India had already won the first encounter in Mohali.
“It's been a good run, enjoyed it personally and as a team, there were so many things we wanted to achieve and I think we did. No doubt about it (on Ravindra Jadeja), we have seen him grow as a batter, he seems to be getting better and better, at 7, he strengthens the batting, and he's a complete package, with his fielding and bowling, brings a lot to the team,” Rohit Sharma said after the match.