Sreesanth marked his comeback in international cricket for India by putting Sri Lanka under severe duress on day three of the second Test in Green Park, Kanpur.
Sreesanth’s five-for, his second in Test cricket, not only sent strong signals about his intent but also, allowed India to enforce the follow on post tea after Sri Lanka were shot out for 229, leaving India with a healthy lead of 413 runs.
Tillkeratne Dilshan was the only mishap on day two for Sri Lanka. But Tharanga Paranavitana and Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara, batted through stumps on day two. However, once that resistance was broken, there was only way for Sri Lanka – back to the pavilion.
Replacing the indifferent Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth would have had considerable pressure on him coming back but he did not show it. Instead he broke the partnership worth eighty-two runs, having Paranavitana caught behind for thirty-eights runs and then, wrecking the skipper’s stumps for forty-four runs.
The procession continued on from lunch to tea with Sri Lanka showing fragility under duress. Apart from another brief partnership, sixty runs for the sixth wicket between Mahela Jayawardene (forty-seven runs) and Prasanna Jayawardene (thirty-nine runs), there was no stopping India.
Sreesanth was rewarded for the early day’s toil with five wickets to his name but spinner Pragyan Ojha did not fail to impress either.
So far India’s plans have gone to order. And Sreesanth will know his work in this match is far from over as Sri Lanka take guard once more.
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