STUMPS - DAY 1

Ind 1st inns: 128-2 (34 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Dhawan takes a single on the leg side to complete his fifty from 92 balls.

Sri Lanka have bowled a lot of loose deliveries. Pradeep gifts Kohli a half-volley on the pads which he hits past mid-on for another four to take his score to 44. The next ball is a high bouncer and is called a wide for height.

The Indians are scoring at nearly four runs per over with 125 runs on the board from 32 overs. With another 10 minutes before stumps, India would be looking to shut shop and just play for time.

Two singles off the first two balls of Kaushal's new over brings up the 100-run stand between the two batsmen from 151 balls.

At stumps on Day 1, India reach 128 for two in 34 overs, trailing Sri Lanka by just 55 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Dhawan survived a probing spell against the pacers with the new ball to be unbeaten on 55 from 103 balls, while Kohli made a fluent 45 from 77 balls.

The day belonged to off-spinner Ashwin, who sizzled with superb figures of six for 46 to help India dominate the opening day.

Ind 1st inns: 117-2 (30 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Kaushal struggling to maintain a consistent line and length and runs have come pretty easily against him.

An overpitched delivery is flicked through midwicket by Kohli before he hits one on the bounce over the bowler Kaushal for a straight boundary.

Two more singles make it eight runs from the over with Kaushal proving to be expensive, to give away 39 runs from seven overs.

Pradeep looks in some sort of problem as he goes back to the dressing room after bowling the 29th over of the innings.

Change of ends for Herath as he takes over from Kaushal. He has an appeal for LBW against Kohli turned down before the Indian captain whips the last ball through the leg side for three runs as the score moves to 117 for two in 30 overs.

Ind 1st inns: 99-2 (26 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Dhawan and Kohli have a huge misunderstanding with the former sent back halfway down the pitch but luckily for him the mid-on fielder sent back a wild throw, giving the batsmen enough time to recover.

Kaushal then gets one to turn big as Dhawan is beaten all ends up before he plays the delicate late cut two balls later for three runs to bring up the 50-run stand for the third wicket from 78 balls.

Kaushal gifts Kohli a full toss which he strokes straight down the ground past mid-on for a four.

This is excellent batting by the two Indian batters. Dhawan comes down the track to Herath and hits it through the covers for a four before driving the next ball to long-on for one.

Kaushal creating a few problems for left-hander Dhawan as he spins one across the face of the bat. He bowls another no-ball which again beats Dhawan and strike him on the pads. He has another huge appeal for LBW turned down off the last ball with Dhawan looking to be hit outside the line of the off-stump.

In the off-spinner's next over, Kohli finally brings out the sweep, a shot which does not use much, for a boundary through square leg.

Ind 1st inns: 73-2 (20 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Spin from both ends as left-arm spinner Rangana Herath comes into the attack. Dhawan turns the third ball on the leg side for a single before Kohli plays another confident cut shot but can't beat the fielder at point.

The Indian captain has a close shave as the fielder at short leg failed to hold on to another tough chance. On the other hand, India had produced a couple of unbelievable catches by their close-in fielders.

Kohli turns Kaushal on the leg side for a single and Dhawan plays a wristy flick off the last ball for two more runs to take the total to 73 for two in 20 overs.

Dhawan has shown great purpose to score 31 from 60 balls, while Kohli has made 18 from 34 balls.

Ind 1st inns: 70-2 (18 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Kohli turns the first ball from Mathews behind square on the leg side for a couple and then drives the next through the covers for a four to bring up India's 50, in the 14th over.

Meanwhile, Prasad comes back from the other end. A short wide delivery is cut past point for a four by Dhawan as India reach 54 for two in 15 overs.

Off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal comes into the attack. He bowls two no-balls in his very first over, the second one went the other way and had completely deceived Dhawan. Four runs from the offie's first over, including two no-balls.

In the next over, Kohli stands tall and slams a short wide delivery from Prasad through the covers for a four as India's innings gets back on track after the two early wickets.

In his next over, Kaushal once again oversteps to give away another no-ball, his third in 10 balls.

He finally gets it right as Dhawan comes forward to defend but the turn does him, taking the edge but Mathews at first slip is unable to take the low catch.

The next delivery is a wide half-volley and Kohli slaps it through the covers for another four.

Ind 1st inns: 44-2 (13 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Pradeep comes back for his spell and takes over from Prasad, who bowled a good first spell of one for 14 in five overs.

Dhawan leans forward and drives the first ball through the covers for a four. Three balls later he offers the full face of the bat and hits him down the ground past mid-off for another boundary.

The incoming deliveries creating some problems for the Indian batsmen. This time, Kohli is beaten as the ball breaks through his defences and hits him on the thigh pad for a leg bye behind the wickets.

Dhawan punches the last ball of the over from Pradeep through the covers for a four as India reach 44 for two in 13 overs.

Ind 1st inns: 28-2 (10 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Captain Angelo Mathews comes into the attack in place of Pradeep, who had a short first spell of three overs for seven runs with the new ball.

Rohit offers no shot and is struck on the pads by an incoming delivery but gets the benefit of doubt. That was mighty close!

However, he drives the next ball through the off-side for a four before he keeps strike with a single from the next ball.

Rohit plays across the line but misses and is caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire upholds the LBW appeal but wants to check the front foot with the TV umpire. Replays shows that Prasad had crossed the front crease by a long way and it is ruled a no-ball giving Rohit a much-needed lifeline.

The next ball is again similar but this time Rohit plays it straight down the pitch with utmost caution.

However, Rohit fails to make most of his lifeline as Mathews traps him leg before wicket with another incoming delivery.

Rohit walks back for nine as India slip to 28 for two after 10 overs.

Ind 1st inns: 18-1 (6 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Rohit Sharma walks in at No. 3, needing a big innings in this match to justify his place in the team.

Dhawan looks to bide his team in the middle and get his eye in against his usual approach of being positive from the start.

Rohit steers Prasad past point for two runs to get off the mark as India reach 18 for one in five overs.

Sri Lanka trying to work on Dhawan's weakness by tempting him with wide deliveries outside the off-stump. But so far he has resisted his urge of playing away from his body as Pradeep sends down a maiden over.

Ind 1st inns: 14-1 (3 ovs) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

Nuwan Pradeep to bowl the second over. Rahul taps the second ball on the off-side for another easy single. Dhawan gets off the mark with a boundary, crashing the last ball of the over through the covers for a stylish four which also brings up his 1000 runs in Test cricket.

Rahul drives Parsad's first ball through the covers for three runs before Dhawan nudges the next ball fine for two leg byes.

Rahul looks to hit one through the off-side but gets a thick outside edge past gully for two runs.

However, he is dismissed off the next ball, trapped leg before wicket by an incoming delivery for seven. Rahul looked to play it on the off-side but was beaten completely by the inswing from Prasad.

Ind 1st inns: 1-0 (1 ov) vs SL 183 | Scorecard

India's openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to open the batting, while Dhammika Prasad has the new ball in hand.

The first ball is a bit short as Rahul tucks it off his hips on to the fielder on the leg side. The next ball is the same but this time Rahul gets it finer for a single to get India off the mark.

Dhawan lets the first two balls go through before he throws his bat at a wide delivery and is beaten and quite sensibly offers no stroke to the last ball as it slants across him.

SL 1st inns: 183-all out (49.4 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Herath finally gets runs off the reverse sweep for two runs fine on the off-side. He is struck on the pads off the next delivery as Ashwin and the close-in fielders make a huge appeal for LBW but it is turned down. However, no appeal needed as Ashwin cleans up Herath off the very next delivery, bowling him for 23 as he attempted the slog sweep.

Ashwin finishes with magnificent figures of six for 46 in 13.4 overs as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 183 in 49.4 overs in the post-lunch session.

Mishra took two wickets, while a wicket each for pacers Ishant and Aaron but Harbhajan went wicketless in eight overs.

A superb effort from the Indian bowlers after Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat.

Ashwin stuck to the basics quite well and concentrated on bowling the traditional off-spinners and land the ball in the right place with good mix of pace. The carrom balls and the quicker balls were not used at all as Ashwin looked to beat the batsmen in the flight and with the turn.

India will be keen to post a huge score and take a big lead, having seen how much assistance the spinners are getting on Day 1. They would be aware that batting on the fourth and fifth days would be very difficult.

The teams have taken a tea break. Stay tuned for action in the post-tea session.

SL 1st inns: 181-9 (49 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Aaron, who has given 68 runs in his 11 overs, makes way for leg-spinner Mishra, who will have his first bowl in the post lunch session.

Chandimal goes back and attempts a risky cut shot but can't beat the fielder at point. He makes his gameplan clear as he taps the last ball to mid-on for a quick single to retain strike.

Sri Lanka nearly lose another wicket, as Rangana Herath survives a run out attempt after a direct hit is referred to the third umpire.

Left-hander Rangana Herath decides to take on leg-spinner Amit Mishra. A full toss is hit in the gap between deep midwicket and deep square for a four before a wide half-volley is cracked through the covers for the same result.

Herath then takes on Ashwin, slog sweeping it through midwicket for another four to race to 16 from 14 balls. He even attempts the reverse but can't beat the fielder at point.

Chandimal decides to attack Mishra as he comes down the track and tries to hit it against the spin on the leg side but gets an edge and is caught at first slip.

Chandimal played a good innings of 59 from 77 balls before he decided to take up matter in his own hands and score a few quick runs.

A Test wicket for Mishra exactly after four years. His last wicket in Tests was on August 12, 2011 when he dismissed England's Matt Prior at the Oval in London.

Mishra makes it two in two balls as Tharinda Kaushal is dismissed first ball, caught at short leg off an inside edge for a first ball duck.

Mishra on a hat-trick!

Nuwan Pradeep avoids the hat-trick as he turns it on the leg side for one and Herath slog sweeps the last ball to deep midwicket for a single.

SL 1st inns: 155-7 (44 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Aaron continues to leak runs as Chandimal hits him for as many as four boundaries, in the 43rd over.

He drops short as Chandimal hits him through point and over midwicket respectively. The right-hander smashes the fifth ball through the covers for another four to bring up his fifty in some style, from 65 balls. The last ball is again a loose ball as Chandimal hammers it past point for another boundary as 16 runs come from the over.

Ashwin completes his five-wicket haul with the wicket of Dhammika Prasad, who is trapped leg before wicket for a duck. This is Ashwin's 11th five-wicket haul and has clearly outshone his senior off-spin colleague Harbhajan. His figures read: 11-2-31-5

SL 1st inns: 139-6 (42 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kohli happy to continue with the pace-spin combination going. Aaron bowls a costly over as Mathews hits him for two boundaries, the second one a streaky one. He went after a wide delivery, getting an edge which flew past the lone slip fielder, who dived full length but could not get to it.

Ashwin makes the breakthrough yet again with the key wicket of Mathews, who is brilliantly caught by Rohit at short leg after a superb innings of 64. Mathews got a thich inside edge and Rohit somehow got his hand on it as he tried to take evasive action before diving full length to complete a stunning one-handed catch.

Mathews played a big role in Sri Lanka's revival with a 79-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Chandimal. However, his wicket has exposed the tail and India would be hoping to quickly finish off the remaining wickets and consolidate their good start.

SL 1st inns: 129-5 (40 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Chandimal has also settled down quite nicely. Aaron looking to tempt the batsmen into play at wide balls outside the off-stump. Chandimal is happy to see the first few deliveries go away before he cuts the fifth ball behind point for a four and gets two from the last ball in the same region.

Harbhajan, who bowled eight overs in his first spell, makes way for Ashwin, from the end where he picked three wickets in the morning session.

Chandimal sweeps the fifth ball for a couple followed by a single from the last ball as Sri Lanka take their score to 129 for five in 40 overs.

SL 1st inns: 118-5 (38 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Sri Lanka nearly lose a wicket in the next over. Chandimal drives it straight to Dhawan at mid-on and attempts a suicidal single. The hosts are lucky that Dhawan misses the direct hit with the batsman well out of his crease. Two balls later Mathews inside edges Harbhajan which passes close to the stumps.

A short spell for Ishant before he makes way for Aaron. He also tries the short ball and Chandimal is happy to take them on, pulling it through midwicket for two runs. Two balls later, Aaron gets one to leave the right-hander slightly, beating Chandimal, who plays and misses.

In the next over, Mathews comes down the track and lofts Harbhajan straight down the ground for a six, to bring up his fifty from 77 balls.

Mathews has played fluently since the start and has played a major role in keeping side afloat. With just the tail to follow, Sri Lanka will need a big partnership between Mathews and Chandimal. The duo have already put on 58 runs to rally Sri Lanka after they were reduced to 60 for five at one stage.

SL 1st inns: 106-5 (35 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Chandimal using the sweep to good effect as he looks to disrupt Ashwin's rhythm, hitting one behind square for a four.

Harbhajan continues to be steady from the other end with the Lankans looking to keep the scoreboard moving with ones and twos with the odd boundary in between.

With Ashwin not making any impact in the post-lunch session he is replaced by Ishant. Mathews drives the third ball through the covers for two runs but is beaten by the next as Ishant gets one to hold its line. In his next over, Ishant attempts a bouncer at Chandimal who ducks under it but pulls the next one for a four.

The partnership is doing well to lift Sri Lankan spirits after a horror first session with the score reaching 106 for five in 35 overs.

SL 1st inns: 90-5 (30 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Chandimal gives Harbhajan the charge as he looks to loft it over midwicket but ends up miscuing it to fine leg for one. Mathews also comes down but hits it with the spin to midwicket for a single.

Off-spinners from both ends as Ashwin is called into the attack, to replace Ishant.

Mathews continues to use his feet for a single to mid-on before Chandimal sweeps it square for a four as Sri Lanka look to be positive against the spinners.

Mathews looks to turns Harbhajan fine on the leg side but is lucky that the ball falls short of Rohit at leg slip. Harbhajan switches to round the wicket for the final ball and beats Chandimal with the straighter delivery with the right-hander playing for the turn.

After 30 overs, Sri Lanka reach 90 for five with Mathews on 41 and Chandimal on 13.

SL 1st inns: 82-5 (27 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Harbhajan getting a lot of turn and he looks to keep it in the channel on and around the off-stump. Mathews turns the third ball on the leg side for a single while Chandimal blocks the rest of the over.

Mathews continues his positive approach as he flicks a full delivery from Ishant through midwicket for a four. Ishant once again oversteps to gift Sri Lanka another no-ball and free run. The next ball is punched past mid-off for two runs before he looks to pull the last ball but gets off the bottom and again through mid-off for a four. That looked more like a tennis forehand!

SL 1st inns: 70-5 (25 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kohli introduces senior spinner Harbhajan Singh straightaway after the lunch break. The off-spinner, who didn't get a bowl in the morning session, will kick-off proceedings in the post lunch session.

He is also getting some turn but struggles to control his line as a couple of deliveries slip down the leg side.

Ishant comes on from the other end and he starts with a no-ball. Two balls later, he gets Chandimal to edge one but wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha drops a regulation chance. That was one of the easiest catches for a wicketkeeper with the gloves on. Chandimal (5) gets a lifeline and Sri Lanka breathe a sigh of relief. Two catches already put down by the Indians behind the wicket.

Ishant then has a loud shout for LBW turned down with the batsman getting an inside edge on to his pads. Chandimal drives the next ball through the covers for three runs.

An eventful over from Ishant as Sri Lanka reach 70 for five in 25 overs.

LUNCH - DAY 1

SL 1st inns: 65-5 (23 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Mishra starts his new over once again with a short ball but not much damage as Mathews picks two runs to deep midwicket.

Two balls later he bowls it wide as Mathews cuts it behind point for three runs to take his score to 25 from 29 balls.

Ashwin continues his wicket ways from the other end. Mubarak falls for a duck caught by Rahul at short leg as Sri Lanka slip to 60 for five in the 22nd over.

New batsman Dinesh Chandimal decides to take the attack to Ashwin as he sweeps the second ball he faces square on the leg side for a four followed by a single from the last ball.

Mishra bowls a maiden to Chandimal, getting the ball to grip and turn big, in what turns out to be the final over the morning session.

At lunch on the opening day, Sri Lanka are 65 for five in 23 overs. Mathews has been the lone batsman from Sri Lanka to offer some resistance, as he played a positive innings of 26 not out from 30 balls, while Chandimal was not out on five.

The star of the session was India's off-spinner Ashwin, who took three wickets for 15 runs in six overs, including the prized scalp of Sangakkara.

SL 1st inns: 54-4 (20 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

A deep midwicket in place for Mathews against Ashwin, who sensibly decides against taking the risk and picks a single on the leg side from the fifth ball.

In the next over, he pulls a short ball from Aaron through midwicket for a four. A few deliveries later, Thirimanne leans forward and plays a cracking drive through the covers for another four as Sri Lanka look to keep the scoreboard moving and look to rally their team after the few early wickets.

Mathews is content to play Ashwin for a single to deep midwicket off the fifth ball to bring up Sri Lanka's 50, in the 18th over.

This is interesting as leg-spinner Amit Mishra comes into the attack ahead of the experienced Harbhajan Singh. He replaces Aaron, who went for a few runs in his second spell.

He starts with a short ball which is hit by Mathews through the off-side for a couple and then picks a single from the next.

Mishra is spot on against Thirimanne (13) as far as his line and length is concerned with the left-hander defending the rest of the over.

Ashwin bags another wicket as left-hander Thirimanne comes forward to defend but gets an edge and is caught at first slip for 13. Superb bowling from Ashwin, giving it plenty of flight and making the batsman play at it to bring the spin into play.

Sri Lanak's struggle continues as they reduced to 54 for four in the 20th over.

Left-hander Jehan Mubarak is the new batsman with Sri Lanka in all sorts of problems after electing to bat.

SL 1st inns: 38-3 (15 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

A longish first spell for Ishant, who bowls his seventh over on the trot which is watchfully defended by Thirimanne for another maiden over.

Mathews comes down and looks to hit Ashwin over the mid-on but fails to make proper connection for two runs through midwicket. After blocking the next few balls Mathews again goes over the top and this time it goes off the middle for a four over midwicket.

Kohli persisting with pace from one end as Ishant, who bowled an excellent first spell of 7-3-7-1, makes way for Aaron.

The first ball is on the pads which Thirimanne turns to fine leg for one. The next ball is wide as Mathews goes after it but is beaten and nearly gets the edge. He steers the third ball past point for two runs before he gets a single to fine leg from the fifth and Thirimanne does the same for another single.

After 15 overs, Sri Lanka are 38 for three in 15 overs with Mathews and Thirimanne both on nine each.

SL 1st inns: 27-3 (12 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Ishant to continue, as he comes on to bowl his sixth over of the first spell. He nearly bags another wicket as Thirimanne plays another loose drive but gets a thick outside edge which beats a diving Rahane at first slip and goes for a four.

Aaron, who bowled a good first spell of one for 20 runs in five overs, makes way for Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner gets the second ball to turn big with a bit of extra bounce beating Sangakkara all ends up.

He is caught off the very next ball as the ball holds up on the pitch and KL Rahul at silly point takes a superb reflex catch.

Sangakkara out for five to leave Sri Lanka in further trouble at 27 for three in the 12th over.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has his task cut out with his team in strife at the moment. Ashwin getting a lot of turn as Mathews somehow manages to defend the rest of the over.

Ashwin starts his spell with a wicket-maiden.

SL 1st inns: 22-2 (10 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Sangakkara taps Ishant on the off-side for a single. Lahiru Thirimanne nearly gets an edge as he looks to drive it through the covers but is beaten as Ishant bowls another probing over.

Sangakkara looking busy right from the start as he picks another single on the leg side. Thirimanne defends one back on the pitch but a bit of timing sees it going straight to fetch the left-hander two runs to get him off the mark.

Sri Lanka are 22 for two in 10 overs with Sangakkara on three and Thirimanne on five.

SL 1st inns: 18-2 (8 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Aaron strikes in the very next over and it is the short ball again which does the trick. Silva (5) tries to play the pull shot but gets a top edge which goes over the slips where Dhawan runs back and takes a superb diving catch to make up for his earlier miss.

Sri Lanka in early trouble at 15 for two in the eighth over but out comes their most experienced Kumar Sangakkara, who is playing his penultimate match, as he walks out to a huge cheer and fireworks in the background.

Replays shows Silva was unlucky to be given out as the ball went off the arm guard. Remember no DRS in this series as has been the case with matches involving India.

Aaron tests Sangakkara with a short ball but the left-hander pulls it through midwicket for two runs to get off the mark. A run from the last ball helps him retain strike.

SL 1st inns: 15-2 (7.1 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Ishant switches to round the wicket for left-hander Karunaratne, looking to bowl the off-stump channel and make the batsman play more. Karunaratne looks to drive away from his body off the first two balls but gets a thick outside edge which is well saved by Rahane at gully.

The third ball is a quick bouncer as the left-hander ducks under it. The next ball is again a bit short as Karunaratne (9) looks to turn it on the leg side but gets a leading edge and is caught on the off-side.

Good bowling by Ishant as he forced the batsman into playing that shot and was duly rewarded with a wicket.

SL 1st inns: 15-0 (6 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Silva tentatively comes forward to defend as the ball hits the bat and bounces high close to the stumps. The right-hander cautiously defends the rest of the over as Ishant bowls the first maiden of the match.

Karunaratne drives the third ball of the sixth over bowled by Aaron through the off-side where the fielder at cover half stops it to give away just a single.

Meanwhile, Silva continues to defend solidly, perhaps looking to avoid any loose shots especially after the reprieve early in the innings.

SL 1st inns: 14-0 (4 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

India's fastest bowler Varun Aaron comes on from the other end. Left-hander Karunaratne edges the third ball which goes past the gully and gets the batsman two runs. The last ball is on the pads which is turned square on the leg side for another two runs as four come from the second over.

Ishant opts to take the third slip out and place a fielder at short leg. The first ball is up as Silva looks to defend but gets an edge which goes on the bounce to Kohli at second slip.

The right-hander seems to have learnt from that slight mistake and offers no stroke to the rest of the deliveries as Ishant tempts him with a few wide deliveries. The last ball is a no-ball as Ishant oversteps to concede an extra, the only run of the over.

In the next over, Karunaratne plays a delightful drive through the covers but the outfield which has received a bit of rain in the last few days means the ball slows down considerably for three runs.

Silva gets the first boundary of the innings as he cuts a short wide delivery square on the off-side which also gets him off the mark.

He again looks to cut the next ball but gets an edge but Shikhar Dhawan at first slip puts down a straightforward chance as Sri Lanka reach 14 for no loss in four overs.

SL 1st inns: 1-0 (1 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne to open the batting for hosts with Sri Lanka. India hand the new ball to fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who is in good form coming into the match, having taken five wickets in the three-day practice match against Sri Lanka Board President's XI.

The start has been delayed because of some problems with the sightscreen, which is fluttering a lot because of the breeze. It is quite windy at the venue and the groundstaff trying their best to get things working.

Karunaratne gets off the mark with a single from the first ball, tucking one on the pads to the fine leg region.

Silva opts to play with caution and offers no stroke to the first four deliveries he faces before defending the last ball with soft hands on the leg side as just a single comes from the first over.

Leg-spinner Mishra, 32, is back in the Indian team. He plays his first Test match after a long wait of four years, having last played a Test against England at the Oval in August 2011.

Opener KL Rahul also makes a comeback after missing the one-off Test against Bangladesh because of fever. He takes the place of Murali Vijay, who was ruled out because of injury.

Check out how the two teams line up for the series opener:

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal (w/k), Jehan Mubarak, Rangana Herath, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Tharindu Kaushal.

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test match.

The big news is that India are playing three spinners to go along with two fast bowlers in Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron.

"We are going in with five bowlers. We are playing three spinners along with two fast bowlers in Ishant and Varun Aaron," says Kohli at the toss.

Former South Africa batsman Jonty Rhodes says the pitch looks a lot drier and it could start spinning quite early in the match.

Will India play three spinners or go with two spinners and three pace bowlers?

Stay tuned for the toss.

Which Indian batsman has the highest run tally against Sri Lanka (Clue: He has an aggregate of 1,995 runs)?

Which Sri Lankan skipper led the islanders against India in 13 Tests and did not win a single one?

As the Test series gets underway, Rajneesh Gupta surveys India-Sri Lanka Tests played over the years. Click to read more

Also, figure out Sri Lanka's run-machine Kumar Sangakkara

Welcome to the coverage of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and India at the Galle International stadium, in Galle, on Monday.

Virat Kohli's aggressive strategy to deploy five specialist bowlers will be tested when India, looking to end a 22-year-old wait for a series triumph on Lankan soil, go into the first Test.

With rain and thunderstorms forecast through the three-Test series, there is a likelihood that delays and interruptions could ruin play time. But as of now, it is bright and sunny at Galle and things are looking good for an exciting opening day's play.

While the baton was passed on to him from Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Sydney, this is Kohli's first full assignment in-charge after the one-off-Test in Bangladesh.

Kohli has already promised to provide an aggressive brand of leadership and go into Test matches with five bowlers in a bid to take 20 wickets.

His journey as Test skipper begun in Adelaide last December when he stood-in for an injured Dhoni, and led India valiantly to a 48-run defeat, despite two sterling hundreds in both innings.

In Sydney, he was defiant in the mannerism of his team selection, chopping and changing a side worn down by poor form, injury and fatigue.

At Fatullah, he persisted with the five-bowler theory, and also brought back a Test stalwart -- Harbhajan Singh -- to the side.

If pre-series warm-up and practice sessions are anything to go by, in summation, Kohli's strategy will be more or less the same in this series as well.

With Murali Vijay ruled out of the first Test owing to a troublesome right hamstring since the Zimbabwe tour, he will have his task cut out to bring in the young KL Rahul into the playing eleven.

It is after the opening slots that things get interesting, primarily owing to form, but the team management is expected to follow a set template.

At present, among the batsmen, only Ajinkya Rahane is untouchable and he fits in easily at number five.

Rohit Sharma, Kohli himself and Wriddhiman Saha were off colour in the practice match.