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Rediff.com  » Cricket » 3rd Test, Day 2, PHOTOS: Kohli's 234 fuels India's charge at smog-hit Delhi

3rd Test, Day 2, PHOTOS: Kohli's 234 fuels India's charge at smog-hit Delhi

Last updated on: December 03, 2017 17:45 IST
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Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Test played between India and Sri Lanka at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Sunday

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews bats on Day 2 of the 3rd Test match against India at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Sunday

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews bats on Day 2 of the 3rd Test match against India at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: BCCI

India captain Virat Kohli smashed a career-best 243, his second successive double hundred, before a blanket of smog prompted him to declare on 536 for seven in the third and final test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The visitors when they reduced Sri Lanka to 131-3 on the second day, trailing by 405 runs.

 

Angelo Mathews capitalised on an early reprieve to score 57 not out and skipper Dinesh Chandimal was on 25 with Sri Lanka still 405 behind on a hazy day in the Indian capital.

Sri Lanka fielders in masks looked concerned as bowler Lahiru Gamage (kneeling, left) takes a break from bowling

IMAGE: Sri Lanka fielders in masks look concerned as bowler Lahiru Gamage (kneeling, left) takes a break from bowling. Photograph: BCCI

India captain Virat Kohli smashed a career-best 243, his second successive double hundred, before a blanket of smog prompted him to declare on 536 for seven in the third and final test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The home side's attack then turned the screw even further on the visitors when they reduced Sri Lanka to 18-2 by the tea interval on the second day.

At the break, Dilruwan Perera was 12 not out with former skipper Angelo Mathews on four as Sri Lanka, 1-0 down in the series, trailed by a massive 518 runs in the Indian capital.

Behind in the match and struggling in the conditions, several Sri Lankan players returned from the lunch break sporting facemasks as the seasonal haze affecting the region thickened over the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Virat Kohli celebrates after completing his double century 

IMAGE: Virat Kohli celebrates after completing his double century. Photograph: BCCI

The smog eventually held up play twice and 22 minutes was lost in total as Lahiru Gamage and his pace colleague Suranga Lakmal both left the field during the second session as they found it difficult to breathe.

Umpires Nigel Llong and Joel Wilson were discussing the air quality with the tourists when Kohli signalled his team in.

Until then, the stadium's near-capacity crowd was treated to some elegant shot-making by Kohli, who hit 25 crisp boundaries in his master class spread over seven-and-half hours.

The 29-year-old became the first international captain to score six double centuries, all of them coming in the last 17 months.

Virat Kohli bats en route his double ton 

IMAGE: Virat Kohli bats en route his double ton. Photograph: BCCI

His latest looked a mere formality after India, chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive Test series victory, resumed on 371-4 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Kohli's partner in the 135-run stand Rohit smacked left-arm wrist-spinner Sandakan over long-off for a six but all eyes were on Kohli as he approached the 200-mark.

The Delhi player was on 195 when a leg-before appeal against him was turned down. Sri Lanka reviewed the decision but replays confirmed an inside edge.

Kohli took two runs off Suranga Lakmal to bring up his double century, celebrating it by leaping into the air before removing his helmet to acknowledge the applause.

Rohit Sharma bats during his innings of 65

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma bats during his innings of 65. Photograph: BCCI

Rohit, at the other end, went quietly about his work, hitting Perera over the spinner's head for a six to bring up his fifth consecutive test fifty.

Just when it looked like Sri Lanka would endure yet another wicketless session, Rohit edged Sandakan to be caught behind for 65.

India's Mohammad Shami celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne

IMAGE: India's Mohammad Shami celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne. Photograph: BCCI

When India came out to bowl, Mohammad Shami dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne for a duck with the first ball of the innings and Ishant Sharma trapped Dhananjaya de Silva lbw for one to immediately dent the tourists' reply.

Dilruwan Perera, spilled in the slip when on 16, made 42 before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him leg-before.

Sri Lanka were also denied the services of opener Sadeera Samarawickrama, who suffered a mild concussion on Saturday and was advised by doctors to skip play on Sunday.

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