Tweet
Enlarge PhotoSri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara hits a shot during the first day of their first... Opener Tharanga Paranavitana hit a maiden test hundred and Kumar Sangakkara recorded his 22nd as Sri Lanka dominated India's bowlers on the opening day of the first test at the Galle Stadium on Sunday.Paranavitana was unbeaten on 110 while Sangakkara hit 103 as Sri Lanka reached 256 for two before rain halted play just eight overs into the final session.
Both batsmen were let off the hook by India's fielders -- Sangakkara was dropped on 65 by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni when the Indian captain failed to hold onto an edge.
Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara took full advantage of the let-off and reached his century shortly before the tea break.
Paranavitana, his patient partner, survived a chance when Gautam Gambhir failed to hold onto a reflex catch on 35.
Sangakkara fell when he failed to middle a bad ball from Virender Sehwag and was caught by Sachin Tendulkar.
Tillakaratne Dilshan was the sole Sri Lankan wicket to fall in the morning session when he attempted to hook a short delivery from test debutant Abhimanyu Mithun and gloved a catch to Dhoni on 25.
Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is making his final test appearance and needs eight wickets to become the first bowler to take 800 test wickets.
(Editing by Justin Palmer)
(For more news on Reuters India, click http://in.reuters.com)
Powered by WizardRSS | Full Text RSS Feeds
