On This Day: September 1, 2015 — Pujara’s Grit and Ashwin’s Brilliance Seal India’s Series Win Over Sri Lanka at Colombo

This triumph was India’s first overseas series win since 2011 and marked the beginning of a new era under Virat Kohli, who had recently taken over as captain. India sealed the series 2-1, showing resilience and intent under pressure. The victory not only restored India’s confidence abroad but also laid the foundation for Kohli’s dominant reign in Test cricket.

India vs Sri Lanka: 3rd Test

The final Test of the series between India and Sri Lanka kicked off with India batting first after Sri Lanka opted to field and the match was the decider for both the teams in the 2015 series.

India 1st Innings

The innings got off to a rocky start when opener KL Rahul was dismissed for just 2 runs, clean bowled by Dhammika Prasad in the opening over. Things didn’t improve much as Ajinkya Rahane was trapped lbw by Nuwan Pradeep for 8 runs, leaving India struggling at 14/2 early on. Cheteshwar Pujara, however, stood firm like a rock, playing a marathon unbeaten knock of 145 runs off 289 balls. His patient innings, laced with 14 fours, was the cornerstone of India’s total, keeping the scoreboard ticking even as wickets fell around him.

Captain Virat Kohli tried to steady the ship with 18 runs but was caught behind off Angelo Mathews. Rohit Sharma chipped in with 26 runs off 65 balls, including three fours and a six, before Prasad struck again. Stuart Binny faced a nightmare moment, getting out for a first-ball duck, also to Prasad, who was on fire with his pace. Debutant wicketkeeper Naman Ojha contributed 21 runs, showing some grit, while Ravichandran Ashwin could only manage 5 runs before edging to the keeper off Prasad.

Amit Mishra played a vital supporting role, scoring a fluent 59 off 87 balls with seven fours, forming a crucial 104-run stand with Pujara for the eighth wicket. This partnership lifted India from a precarious position to a more respectable one. Ishant Sharma added 6 runs, and Umesh Yadav scored 4, both falling to Rangana Herath’s spin. India’s innings wrapped up at 312 in 100.1 overs, with extras (18 runs, including 5 penalty runs) boosting the total.

Dhammika Prasad led the bowling attack with an impressive 4/100, while Herath’s 3/84 kept the pressure on. Nuwan Pradeep and Tharindu Kaushal took one wicket each, with Mathews also chipping in. Despite the early setbacks, Pujara’s determined century and Mishra’s contribution ensured India posted a competitive score, setting a solid foundation for the match. The innings showcased India’s resilience, with Pujara’s ability to grind it out proving invaluable on a pitch that offered something for the bowlers.

Sri Lanka 1st Innings

Sri Lanka’s response with the bat was shaky from the start. Opener Upul Tharanga was dismissed for 4 runs, caught by KL Rahul off Ishant Sharma, who bowled with fire. Kaushal Silva followed soon after for just 3, bowled by Umesh Yadav, leaving the hosts at a dismal 11/2. Dimuth Karunaratne tried to hold firm but managed only 11 runs before Stuart Binny had him caught by Rahul. Dinesh Chandimal showed some aggression, scoring a quick 23 off 27 balls with five fours, but Binny trapped him lbw, further denting Sri Lanka’s hopes.

Captain Angelo Mathews, expected to anchor the innings, could only muster 1 run before edging to Naman Ojha off Ishant. Lahiru Thirimanne’s stay was even briefer, dismissed for a duck by Ishant, leaving Sri Lanka in tatters at 47/6. Kusal Perera, making his Test debut, offered some resistance with a spirited 55 off 56 balls, hitting nine fours, before Virat Kohli took a sharp catch off Ishant’s bowling. Dhammika Prasad, who had briefly retired hurt, returned to smash 27 off 23 balls, including four fours, injecting some life into the innings.

Rangana Herath played a defiant knock, top-scoring with 49 off 84 balls, hitting eight fours, but he too fell to Ishant, who completed a well-deserved five-wicket haul (5/54). Tharindu Kaushal scored 16 before being trapped lbw by Amit Mishra, and Nuwan Pradeep remained not out on 2. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 201 in 52.2 overs, trailing by 111 runs.

Ishant was the standout bowler, backed by Binny (2/24), Mishra (2/25), and Yadav (1/64). Extras contributed 10 runs. The innings was a story of collapse, with Sri Lanka’s top order failing to cope with India’s disciplined bowling attack. Perera and Herath showed fight, but the early damage was too much to overcome, leaving Sri Lanka with a significant deficit to make up in the match.

India 2nd Innings

India’s second innings began with a nightmare as Cheteshwar Pujara, the hero of the first innings, was bowled by Dhammika Prasad for a duck off just two balls. KL Rahul didn’t last long either, scoring 2 runs before Nuwan Pradeep got him. Ajinkya Rahane managed only 4 runs before Pradeep struck again, trapping him lbw, leaving India reeling at 7/3. Virat Kohli tried to rebuild with 21 runs off 63 balls, but he was caught off Pradeep’s bowling. Rohit Sharma played a crucial knock, scoring 50 off 72 balls with four fours and a six, steadying the innings alongside Stuart Binny, who contributed a solid 49 off 62 balls, including seven fours.

Their partnership gave India some breathing room. Naman Ojha played a patient 35 off 63 balls, anchoring one end while wickets fell. Ravichandran Ashwin proved his all-round worth, scoring a vital 58 off 87 balls with seven fours, ensuring India extended their lead. Amit Mishra added a valuable 39 off 62 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving. Umesh Yadav struggled, scoring 4, while Ishant Sharma remained not out on 2. India were bowled out for 274 in 76 overs, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target of 386 runs.

Prasad and Pradeep were the stars with the ball, each taking 4 wickets (Prasad 4/69, Pradeep 4/62), while Rangana Herath picked up 1/89. Extras added 10 runs to the total. Despite the early collapse, India’s middle and lower order showed resilience, with Ashwin, Rohit, and Binny playing key roles in building a formidable lead. The innings was a testament to India’s depth, as they recovered from a dire situation to set a daunting target, putting Sri Lanka under immense pressure to chase a big score on a wearing pitch.

Sri Lanka 2nd Innings

Chasing a steep 386, Sri Lanka’s second innings began disastrously. Upul Tharanga was dismissed for a duck, caught by Naman Ojha off Ishant Sharma in the first over. Dimuth Karunaratne followed for another duck, falling to Umesh Yadav, and Dinesh Chandimal’s quick 18 off 17 balls ended with a catch to Virat Kohli off Ishant, leaving Sri Lanka at 21/3. Kaushal Silva battled hard for 27 runs before being caught off Yadav’s bowling. Captain Angelo Mathews played a heroic innings, scoring 110 off 240 balls with 13 fours, keeping Sri Lanka’s hopes alive with his dogged resistance. Lahiru Thirimanne managed 12 runs but was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin, who began to turn the screws.

Kusal Perera played a counter-attacking 70 off 106 balls, including 11 fours, forming a vital 135-run partnership with Mathews for the sixth wicket. This stand raised hopes of a draw or even an improbable chase. However, Perera fell to Ashwin, and Mathews’ marathon effort ended when he was trapped lbw by Ishant. Rangana Herath scored 11 before Ashwin struck again, and Dhammika Prasad’s quick 6 couldn’t turn the tide. Tharindu Kaushal (1 not out) and Nuwan Pradeep (0) couldn’t hold on, with Amit Mishra claiming the final wicket.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 85 overs, falling 117 runs short. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with 4/69, supported by Ishant (3/32), Yadav (2/65), and Mishra (1/47). Extras added 13 runs. Mathews’ century and Perera’s fifty showed immense heart, but India’s relentless bowling, led by Ashwin’s spin and Ishant’s pace, ensured victory, sealing a 2-1 series win for India.