India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 1st Test, day 4: 5 things we learnt from the day
A spectacular 166 run opening stand between Lokesh Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan put India right back in the game after the visitors put up a 122 run first innings lead. courtesy a late fight from Rangana Herath. The amazing turnaround seemed to have put Lanka in the driving seat on day 4 before Dhawan and Rahul thwarted all that belief with an aggressive stand.
Earlier, Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were impeccable with their lines and created havoc in the Sri Lankan middle-order. Shami sent Dickwella and Chandimal back in quick succession before Herath resisted the bowlers with a composed half-century, gritting it out in the middle and showing fight that his teammates failed to show. But it remains to be seen it the knock would alter the course of this game.
#5 Dickwella-Chandimal clear the mess
Niroshan Dickwella and Dinesh Chandimal shored up Sri Lanka early on Day 4 with what looked like a solid partnership. Chandimal was circumspect and watchful while Dickwella compounded India's woes with some delightful strokes against the seamers. Just when it looked like the pair would hurt India further, Shami produced a peach to get rid of the keeper batsman.
New man, Dasun Shanaka fell soon after, and Chandimal left in the next over edging Shami, who was persistently pestering his off-stump, to the keeper. Both the middle-order batsmen had a good start but failed to convert it into something substantial.