Sri Lanka [ Images ] would look to accelerate in the first two sessions on Monday to score a big total and put pressure on the Indians in the first Test in Galle, Sri Lanka, captain Kumar Sangakkara [ Images ] said on Sunday.
Sri Lanka were in a strong position after scoring 256 for two on the first day on Sunday with centuries from Sangakkara (103) and Tharanga Paranavitana [ Images ] (110 batting) and the home team captain said they would need two more good sessions on Monday to pile up a big first innings total.
"All in all we had a good day today. We are looking to dominate in the first two sessions tomorrow and post a big total. If we do that we are going to put pressure on the Indians," Sangakkara said after the day's play.
Sangakkara said it was a no brainer to elect to bat after winning the toss as the side which had done so won in the previous 4-5 matches at the Galle International Stadium.
"The pitch was a bit soft (after rains). We discussed this before the match. But the side which elected to bat had won in the previous 4-5 matches, including against Pakistan and New Zealand [ Images ]," he reasoned.
Sangakkara heaved praised on Tharanga Paranavitana for his maiden century.
"I am happy that I scored a century in the first Test of this series but Para (Paranavitana) batted fantastic and we had a big partnership," the home team captain said.
"Para has been performing well in the domestic circuit in the last four-five years and today's century was a reward for his consistent performance. I knew he needed just one innings to start making an impact in the international scene. I hope he kick starts his international career from here," he said.
Asked about Muttiah Muralitharan's [ Images ] retirement after this Test, Saangakkara said, "Well, we are going to miss him. There was a bit of turn on the wicket on the first day today. So we are hoping he would bow out with a fine performance."
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