IND vs SL 2022: 3 observations from Day 2 as hosts dominate again
A dominant India wrested full control of the second Test against Sri Lanka, in Bengaluru. First, the visitors were dismissed within the first half hour of the day. Then, with a 143 run lead, the Indian batters dominated the bowlers in the second innings and gave the Lankans a target of 447 to chase on a rather difficult track.
Sri Lanka had around 7 overs to negotiate before the end of the day, but Jasprit Bumrah prized out Lahiru Thirimanne in the very first over. When the day ended, Sri Lanka were 28/1 and they still need 419 runs more.
Here, we take a look at the 3 key talking points from Day 2 as India continued their dominance over Sri Lanka.
IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: Brilliant Jasprit Bumrah
After prizing out three wickets on Day 1, Jasprit Bumrah came back to add 2 more scalps to his kitty and finished with his first five-wicket haul in India. Bumrah bounced out Lasith Embuldeniya and Niroshan Dickwella as Sri Lanka were shot out for 109.
In the second innings, Sri Lanka had 7 overs to see out the day, but a relentless Bumrah got a ball to deck back in to trap Lahiru Thirimanne leg before for a duck.
The surface is up and down and, despite the fact that the spinners will play a major role, Bumrah, with all his skills, will still be a handful for Sri Lanka on Day 3.
"It was quite challenging, the new ball can get you out, it was that kind of a wicket. I thought we batted well in both innings. We believe we can turn up tomorrow and get their wickets."
IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: Rishabh Pant, the maverick
After having dismissed Sri Lanka within the first 30 minutes of the day's play, India consolidated their 143-run lead and took it to 446 before Rohit Sharma declared the innings.
India blazed to 303/9 after another blitz by Rishabh Pant. The wicket-keeper smashed the fastest Test fifty by an Indian, in just 28 balls. Sri Lanka got some quick wickets in the middle session, but Pant never allowed the visitors any hope with his counter-attacking approach.
Pant smashed seven fours and two sixes and raced to his 50, but was dismissed immediately. However, during this period, India scored over 70 runs in 10 overs as their lead zoomed to over 300.
IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: Consistency of Shreyas Iyer
After scoring 92 in the first innings, Shreyas Iyer was once again amongst the runs in the second innings. After playing second fiddle to Rishabh Pant during the initial stage of the innings, Iyer took the mantle once the left-hander was dismissed.
Shreyas Iyer never allowed the spinners to gain any control and went on to score his second fifty of the game and, in an innings of 67 runs off 87 balls, he smashed 9 fours.
Sri Lankan spinners missed their lengths on a regular basis and were put to the sword by Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and then by Shreyas Iyer.