India thrash Sri Lanka in Galle Test

AFP, GALLE: India captain Virat Kohli completed his 17th Test ton on Saturday and then let his bowlers demolish injury-hit Sri Lanka to claim a 304-run victory inside four days in the first Test.

It was India's biggest winning margin in Sri Lanka and showed just why they are the top-ranked Test side in the world.

Set a daunting 550 to win, Dimuth Karunaratne made 97 for Sri Lanka, but after his departure in the final session their hopes sank in Galle.

With allrounder Asela Gunaratne and stand-in captain Rangana Herath unable to bat through injury, Sri Lanka called it a day with eight wickets down and the total on 245.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin each took three wickets for the dominant tourists.

Kohli modestly called it a “clinical performance” after his side scored 600 in the first innings and then restricted Sri Lanka to 291.

India lost the opening match in Galle two years ago, but went on to take the series 2-1 and then return to number one in the Test rankings in the following months.

“We are a more experienced side now. We are playing more consistent cricket and that shows,” Kohli said after the big win.

The captain reached an unbeaten 103 at the start of the day before declaring India's second innings on 240-3. He then gave his bowlers the job of grinding down the home side.

 

India thrash Sri Lanka in Galle Test

AFP, GALLE: India captain Virat Kohli completed his 17th Test ton on Saturday and then let his bowlers demolish injury-hit Sri Lanka to claim a 304-run victory inside four days in the first Test. It was Indias biggest winning margin in Sri Lanka and showed just why they are the top-ranked Test side in the world. Set a daunting 550 to win, Dimuth Karunaratne made 97 for Sri Lanka, but after his departure in the final session their hopes sank in Galle. With allrounder Asela Gunaratne and stand-in captain Rangana Herath unable to bat through injury, Sri Lanka called it a day with eight wickets down and the total on 245. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin each took three wickets for the dominant tourists. Kohli modestly called it a clinical performance after his side scored 600 in the first innings and then restricted Sri Lanka to 291. India lost the opening match in Galle two years ago, but went on to take the series 2-1 and then return to number one in the Test rankings in the following months. We are a more experienced side now. We are playing more consistent cricket and that shows, Kohli said after the big win. The captain reached an unbeaten 103 at the start of the day before declaring Indias second innings on 240-3. He then gave his bowlers the job of grinding down the home side.