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Fri, 28 August 2015
3rd Test: Play called off early due to rain, India 50-2 at stumps
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15:58 Play called off early due to rain, India 50-2 at stumps
STUMPS - DAY 1
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Just when the umpires were getting done with their inspection, it starts to rain again. And the covers are coming back!
The umpires have called off play early on the opening day with India on 50 for two as only 15 overs were possible on Day 1.
India lost the wickets of KL Rahul (2) and Ajinkya Rahane (8) early on before Kohli (14) and Pujara (19) steadied the Indian innings.
Only an hour and 10 minutes of play was possible on the opening day with the second and third sessions washed out.
Play will start early on Day 2 at 0930 IST to make up for the loss of overs.
STUMPS - DAY 1
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Just when the umpires were getting done with their inspection, it starts to rain again. And the covers are coming back!
The umpires have called off play early on the opening day with India on 50 for two as only 15 overs were possible on Day 1.
India lost the wickets of KL Rahul (2) and Ajinkya Rahane (8) early on before Kohli (14) and Pujara (19) steadied the Indian innings.
Only an hour and 10 minutes of play was possible on the opening day with the second and third sessions washed out.
Play will start early on Day 2 at 0930 IST to make up for the loss of overs.
15:06 Rain washes out post-lunch session on Day 1
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
So, the tea break has been taken officially. Not a single ball was bowled in the post-lunch session while only 15 overs were bowled in the morning session.
We have lost nearly three hours' play in the opening day and the signs are not encouraging either.
The umpires will conduct an inspection at 1500 IST.
The Supersopper is in operation and the groundstaff are also manually working on getting the ground ready. The umpires conducted an inspection and decided they will have another check after 30 minutes before taking a call on the resumption of play.
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
So, the tea break has been taken officially. Not a single ball was bowled in the post-lunch session while only 15 overs were bowled in the morning session.
We have lost nearly three hours' play in the opening day and the signs are not encouraging either.
The umpires will conduct an inspection at 1500 IST.
The Supersopper is in operation and the groundstaff are also manually working on getting the ground ready. The umpires conducted an inspection and decided they will have another check after 30 minutes before taking a call on the resumption of play.
14:21
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
The rain continues to play spoilsport. A heavy downpour has stopped but again has left a lot of water on the covers, making the task of the groundstaff more difficult as they aim to get some play underway on Day 1.
It remains to be seen if play will get underway at all today.
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
The rain continues to play spoilsport. A heavy downpour has stopped but again has left a lot of water on the covers, making the task of the groundstaff more difficult as they aim to get some play underway on Day 1.
It remains to be seen if play will get underway at all today.
13:32
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
It has stopped raining at the SSC in Colombo. Umpire Rod Tucker, who is celebrating his 51st birthday today, says it will take an hour to get the water off the covers, provided there is no further rain.
The weather forecast is not too encouraging either for the rest of the day, infact for the next four days of the Test match.
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
It has stopped raining at the SSC in Colombo. Umpire Rod Tucker, who is celebrating his 51st birthday today, says it will take an hour to get the water off the covers, provided there is no further rain.
The weather forecast is not too encouraging either for the rest of the day, infact for the next four days of the Test match.
12:34 Rain stops play on Day 1, India rally after early wickets
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
The rain relented briefly before it has come back again, in full force. The covers are still in place and the signs are not good as far as the cricket is concerned. We are set for a long delay by the looks of things.
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
The rain relented briefly before it has come back again, in full force. The covers are still in place and the signs are not good as far as the cricket is concerned. We are set for a long delay by the looks of things.
11:52
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
It continues to rain at the SSC in Colombo and the umpires have decided to call an early lunch.
The rain has reduced slightly but the drizzle still continues. There is a lot of water accumulated on the covers while some of the uncovered parts have been left in a mess. A lot of work ahead for the groundstaff once the rain stops. Stay tuned for the post-lunch session.
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
It continues to rain at the SSC in Colombo and the umpires have decided to call an early lunch.
The rain has reduced slightly but the drizzle still continues. There is a lot of water accumulated on the covers while some of the uncovered parts have been left in a mess. A lot of work ahead for the groundstaff once the rain stops. Stay tuned for the post-lunch session.
11:19 Rain stops play, India recover after early wickets
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
A long first spell for Pradeep, who has taken one for 16 in six overs, before he makes way for Prasad.
The pacer continues to bowl in a good channel and is unlucky as Kohli gets an edge but it falls short of the fielder at second slip. The right-hander went after a wide delivery but managed only an edge which fell well short of the fielder.
The last ball bounces a bit more as Kohli is beaten yet again. At the other end, Pujara has looked quite confident and seems to have got a grip of the conditions.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath comes into the attack after Mathews bowled a tidy spell of four overs for seven runs.
The second ball is slipping down the leg side as Kohli gets a fine tickle for a four.
It is getting dark at the SSC with a lot of grey clouds overhead and it could rain any moment as the groundstaff get ready with the covers.
India reach 50 for two in 15 overs before it starts to rain and the players are called off the ground. Pujara has looked solid on 19 from 42 balls, while Kohli has survived a few close shaves to reach 14 from 34 balls.
The groundstaff quickly swing into action and the bring out the covers. And in a matter of minutes a light drizzle turns into a very heavy shower. We could be in for a long delay at the SSC.
RAIN STOPS PLAY
India 50-2 (15 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
A long first spell for Pradeep, who has taken one for 16 in six overs, before he makes way for Prasad.
The pacer continues to bowl in a good channel and is unlucky as Kohli gets an edge but it falls short of the fielder at second slip. The right-hander went after a wide delivery but managed only an edge which fell well short of the fielder.
The last ball bounces a bit more as Kohli is beaten yet again. At the other end, Pujara has looked quite confident and seems to have got a grip of the conditions.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath comes into the attack after Mathews bowled a tidy spell of four overs for seven runs.
The second ball is slipping down the leg side as Kohli gets a fine tickle for a four.
It is getting dark at the SSC with a lot of grey clouds overhead and it could rain any moment as the groundstaff get ready with the covers.
India reach 50 for two in 15 overs before it starts to rain and the players are called off the ground. Pujara has looked solid on 19 from 42 balls, while Kohli has survived a few close shaves to reach 14 from 34 balls.
The groundstaff quickly swing into action and the bring out the covers. And in a matter of minutes a light drizzle turns into a very heavy shower. We could be in for a long delay at the SSC.
11:10
The last two wicketkeepers made their debut in a Test match was way back in 2000 and that match also involved India, says Mohandas Menon.
"Debutants: Naman Ojha & Kusal Perera keeping wickets!
Last time in Tests: at Dhaka in Nov 2000 (Saba Karim & Khaled Mashud)," he writes on Twitter.
The last two wicketkeepers made their debut in a Test match was way back in 2000 and that match also involved India, says Mohandas Menon.
"Debutants: Naman Ojha & Kusal Perera keeping wickets!
Last time in Tests: at Dhaka in Nov 2000 (Saba Karim & Khaled Mashud)," he writes on Twitter.
10:54 Kohli, Pujara steady India after early wickets
India 39-2 (10 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Angelo Mathews comes into the attack as Prasad is taken off after just three overs with the new ball.
The first ball is a half-volley on the pads which Pujara flicks square on the leg side for a four, his first of the innings, from the 15th ball he faces. Two balls later, he looks to defend off the front foot but is beaten as the Sri Lankans appeal for caught behind but the balls seems to have brushed his pads.
Not the right line to bowl to Kohli as Pradeep drifts on the pads which the Indian captain hits through midwicket for a four. He comes forward to drive the next ball through the off-side but gets an inside edge which debutant wicketkeeper Kushal Perera drops and also manages to deflect it on to the helmet kept behind to gift India five penalty runs.
The last ball of the over kicks off from length, catching Kohli by surprise as he looked to defend it but was beaten.
Mathews follows it with a maiden over to Pujara, who seems to be getting confident with his footwork. In the next over, he comes forward and punches a full delivery from Pradeep past mid-off for a four as India reach 39 for two in 10 overs.
Pujara is batting on 13 from 30 balls, while Kohli is on nine from 16 balls.
India 39-2 (10 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Angelo Mathews comes into the attack as Prasad is taken off after just three overs with the new ball.
The first ball is a half-volley on the pads which Pujara flicks square on the leg side for a four, his first of the innings, from the 15th ball he faces. Two balls later, he looks to defend off the front foot but is beaten as the Sri Lankans appeal for caught behind but the balls seems to have brushed his pads.
Not the right line to bowl to Kohli as Pradeep drifts on the pads which the Indian captain hits through midwicket for a four. He comes forward to drive the next ball through the off-side but gets an inside edge which debutant wicketkeeper Kushal Perera drops and also manages to deflect it on to the helmet kept behind to gift India five penalty runs.
The last ball of the over kicks off from length, catching Kohli by surprise as he looked to defend it but was beaten.
Mathews follows it with a maiden over to Pujara, who seems to be getting confident with his footwork. In the next over, he comes forward and punches a full delivery from Pradeep past mid-off for a four as India reach 39 for two in 10 overs.
Pujara is batting on 13 from 30 balls, while Kohli is on nine from 16 balls.
10:34
India 20-2 (6 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
India suffer a big blow as the in-form Rahane is dismissed after scoring just eight. He is beaten by the incoming delivery from Pradeep to be caught right in front of the stumps. The right-hander looked to play across the line but was beaten by the movement and was struck right in front of the stumps.
India in early trouble at 14 for two in the fourth over with both centurions from the last match dismissed.
Captain Virat Kohli defends the first ball he faces on the off-side for a quick single to get off the mark.
In the next over, Kohli drives a full delivery through the covers and gets three runs after the fielder does well to stop it inches inside the ropes. Pujara, meanwhile, continues to pick the singles to take his score to four.
Pradeep gets Pujara to edge one as he defends on the backfoot but the ball bounces short of the fielder at third slip before he picks another single on the leg side.
India 20-2 (6 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
India suffer a big blow as the in-form Rahane is dismissed after scoring just eight. He is beaten by the incoming delivery from Pradeep to be caught right in front of the stumps. The right-hander looked to play across the line but was beaten by the movement and was struck right in front of the stumps.
India in early trouble at 14 for two in the fourth over with both centurions from the last match dismissed.
Captain Virat Kohli defends the first ball he faces on the off-side for a quick single to get off the mark.
In the next over, Kohli drives a full delivery through the covers and gets three runs after the fielder does well to stop it inches inside the ropes. Pujara, meanwhile, continues to pick the singles to take his score to four.
Pradeep gets Pujara to edge one as he defends on the backfoot but the ball bounces short of the fielder at third slip before he picks another single on the leg side.
10:21 Rahane falls for 8, India in trouble
India 13-1 (3 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Rahul gets off the mark from the first delivery of the match as he gets an inside edge off Prasad through midwicket for two runs. He offers no stroke to the second ball which comes in sharply after pitching to crash into the top off-stump as Prasad yet again strikes in his first over. Rahul stunned as he walks back but he was at fault as Sunil Gavaskar points out on commentary "of not covering the stumps."
Ajinkya Rahane is the new man as he walks out to bat at No. 3. He gets off the mark with a four, driving a full delivery in stome style down the ground past mid-off.
Nuwan Pradeep to bowl the second over and facing him will be Pujara, who will certainly feel the pressure in his comeback match. He is watchful to begin and offers no stroke to anything wide before getting off the mark from the last ball, steering it past the gully region for two runs.
Rahane, who hit a century in the previous match, looks in good touch right from the start. An over-pitched delivery from Prasad is driven back past the bowler, straight down the ground for another lovely boundary. The right-hander is looking to play straight and offering a solid defence to the incoming deliveries from Prasad as India reach 13 for one in three overs.
India 13-1 (3 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard
Rahul gets off the mark from the first delivery of the match as he gets an inside edge off Prasad through midwicket for two runs. He offers no stroke to the second ball which comes in sharply after pitching to crash into the top off-stump as Prasad yet again strikes in his first over. Rahul stunned as he walks back but he was at fault as Sunil Gavaskar points out on commentary "of not covering the stumps."
Ajinkya Rahane is the new man as he walks out to bat at No. 3. He gets off the mark with a four, driving a full delivery in stome style down the ground past mid-off.
Nuwan Pradeep to bowl the second over and facing him will be Pujara, who will certainly feel the pressure in his comeback match. He is watchful to begin and offers no stroke to anything wide before getting off the mark from the last ball, steering it past the gully region for two runs.
Rahane, who hit a century in the previous match, looks in good touch right from the start. An over-pitched delivery from Prasad is driven back past the bowler, straight down the ground for another lovely boundary. The right-hander is looking to play straight and offering a solid defence to the incoming deliveries from Prasad as India reach 13 for one in three overs.
10:03 Rahul out for 2, India lose wicket in first over
India have a new opening pair -- their third in three matches. K L Rahul, who scored a century in the previous match walks out to the middle with Cheteshwar Pujara, who is making a come back to the Test team since December last year.
The pitch is expected to help the pace bowlers and India would need to be wary of the Sri Lankan fast bowlers, especially Dhammika Prasad, who has the tendency to claim early wickets.
The pitch is expected to help the pace bowlers and India would need to be wary of the Sri Lankan fast bowlers, especially Dhammika Prasad, who has the tendency to claim early wickets.
09:44 Sri Lanka elect to bowl, India include Ojha and Pujara
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has won the toss and has no hesitation in electing to bowl in the series decider.
India have made two changes. Cheteshwar Pujara makes a comeback to the team and will open the innings in place of Murali Vijay, who misses out because of injury. Ojha is the second change for the visitors in place of Saha.
Sri Lanka have also made a few changes to their team. Upul Tharanga comes in for Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from international cricket, after the second Test match.
Kushal Perera makes his Test debut and will don the gloves, while Nuwan Pradeep comes in for Dushmantha Chameera.
India have made two changes. Cheteshwar Pujara makes a comeback to the team and will open the innings in place of Murali Vijay, who misses out because of injury. Ojha is the second change for the visitors in place of Saha.
Sri Lanka have also made a few changes to their team. Upul Tharanga comes in for Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from international cricket, after the second Test match.
Kushal Perera makes his Test debut and will don the gloves, while Nuwan Pradeep comes in for Dushmantha Chameera.
09:27 Naman Ojha debuts as India eye first series win in SL in 22 years
Welcome to the coverage of the third and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo, on Friday.
Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha will make his Test debut, replacing Wriddhiman Saha, who returned home after the second match because of injury.
He was handed his Test cap by captain Virat Kohli as he becomes the 285th player to represent India in Test cricket.
Meanwhile, India goes into the third and final Test hoping to register their first series victory in the island nation in 22 years.
Having registered his first Test victory as captain, after India humbled the Lankans by 278 runs in the second Test at the P Sara Oval last week, Virat Kohli is on the cusp of claiming his maiden rubber as well.
It was Mohammad Azharuddin who, in 1993, last led an Indian team to a Test series triumph (1-0) on Sri Lankan soil.
Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha will make his Test debut, replacing Wriddhiman Saha, who returned home after the second match because of injury.
He was handed his Test cap by captain Virat Kohli as he becomes the 285th player to represent India in Test cricket.
Meanwhile, India goes into the third and final Test hoping to register their first series victory in the island nation in 22 years.
Having registered his first Test victory as captain, after India humbled the Lankans by 278 runs in the second Test at the P Sara Oval last week, Virat Kohli is on the cusp of claiming his maiden rubber as well.
It was Mohammad Azharuddin who, in 1993, last led an Indian team to a Test series triumph (1-0) on Sri Lankan soil.
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