Pujara fights lone battle, India 74-5 as rain halts play
November 17, 2017  11:04
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India 74-5 (32.5 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Wriddhiman Saha walks out to bat at No. 7 in front of his home fans with India need a big partnership to get themselves out of trouble.

Pujara has been a model of concentration, not doing anything rash, while waiting for the loose deliveries. Once again a full delivery from Shanaka is taken full toll off as Pujara drives it past mid-off for his seventh boundary.

Meanwhile, Saha watchfully plays out a maiden over from pacer Shanaka.

Saha looking to come on to the front foot at every opportunity and is facing some problems when keeping out the short balls.

Part-time medium pacer Dimuth Karunaratne comes into the attack. He starts with a short wide delivery which Pujara slaps through the off-side for a four and then takes one.

Pujara takes another single to take his score to 40, the only Indian batsman to score in double digits in this innings.

Saha is content to defend everything and is yet to score from 17 deliveries, but his role is to just support Pujara. Saha plays a loose shot as he tries to drive a wide full delivery from Gamage but is beaten by the away movement.

Karunaratne bowls a short ball which Pujara comfortably pulls through midwicket for a four and then picks up another single after a misfield in the covers.

Another loose delivery from the part-time pacer as Saha punches the short ball through the covers for a four to get off the mark. He takes one from the next ball and Pujara gets a couple from the last ball as Karunratne goes for 12 runs in the over.

Saha has a close shave as he inside edges Gamage which narrowly misses the stumps for a single on the leg side.

The umpires call the players off the ground as it starts to rain at the Eden Gardens.

India are struggling on 74 for four in 32.5 overs at the rain interruption on Day 2.

Pujara has scored majority of the runs for India, having played a splendid innings of 47 not out from 102 balls, inclusive of nine fours. He gets a huge ovation from his team mates in the dressing room, while Saha is on six.
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