India vs Sri Lanka 2017: 1st Test, day 1 - 5 things we learnt from the day
The Sri Lankan lions roared on a rain-marred, 71 ball day as Suranga Lakmal delivered 36 dot balls, picked three wickets and oversaw a dramatic collapse at the top of India's batting line-up on day 1 of the first Test at Kolkata. After torrential rain delayed the toss and play till after lunch, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, relieved to put in India in such conditions.
India, without Murali Vijay, looked vulnerable to say the least, and Lakmal exposed it to no end. His six overs included six maidens and KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were back in the hut, with the Indian total at just 17.
Bad light stopped play and further rain prevented any play, and Sri Lanka would go back happy after a sensational day's play.
#5 Eden Gardens gets a facelift
With the South African tour in mind, India needed some pre-tour practice and turned over the Eden wicket at Kolkata into a green mamba. Already a quicker surface by Indian standards, the Eden underwent a massive change when the rains relented and the covers came off.
Much to the surprise of many, a lush green cover of grass unravelled when the support staff too off the covers. India are known to present dry, dusty tracks in the home Tests, an advantage that they exploited endlessly in the recent home season but this was an anti-Indian wicket. Everything about it screamed Johannesburg, and the rain and movement on offer compounded the joy for the bowlers.