India vs SL Live, 1st Test, Day 5 – Kumar strikes early, Lanka lose wicket without any run

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took his 50th wicket.

Bhuvneswar Kumar strikes early, sends Samarawickrama back to the pavilion without any runs in his kitty. The visitors lose their first wicket without scoring any run.

After India declared their innings at 352/8, Sri Lanka openers have taken the charge. However, they are yet to get off the mark in the first over.

Over 79.4 | Score 281/7 (Kohli 58)

India loses Wriddhiman Saha. Trying to drive it to the covers, Saha was caught by Samarawickrama in Shanaka's over.

Over 79 | Score 280/6 (Kohli 57; Saha 5)

Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha keep India going to reach 280/6.

Over 70 | Score 256/5 (Kohli 41; Ashwin 6)

First over after Lunch, and five runs from it. Ravichandran Ashwin hits the third ball for a four, through gully region. Five runs from Dasun Shanaka's 16th over.

India's lead increases to 134 runs.

A draw seems certain. India, with KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara, tried to build on their overnight lead, but a Suranga Lakmal burst brought the hosts to a precarious situation. Rahul, Pujara – who became only the third Indian batsman to bat on all five days of a Test match, and Ajinkya Rahane became Lakmal's victims. Then, experimental Ravindra Jadeja departed early.

But, skipper Virat Kohli batted with authority as he holds the fort with a 71-ball 41 as the final day goes to Lunch. India's lead is 129. With some 70 overs' play left in the day, it's safe to assume that the series opener will be a draw.

Over 69 | Score 251/5 (Kohli 41; Ashwin 0)

Lunch!

India played out two maiden overs, one each by Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin and avoided further slump before going for lunch.

India's lead is now 129, and a draw on the cards.

Over 67 | Score 251/5 (Kohli 41; Ashwin 0)

India's Ravindra Jadeja experiment fails. The second-ranked Test allrounder departs after making only nine off 41 balls as Dilruwan Perera gets his first wicket.

Jadeja wanted to play a cut shot but the extra bounce made him pay for going adventurous. Lahiru Thirimanne completed the catch after the ball bounce ricocheted from wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella's gloves. Good catch.

Wicket: Ravindra Jadeja c Lahiru Thirimanne b Dilruwan Perera 9(41)

That happened off the fifth ball of the 66th over. Ravichandran Ashwin is the new man in for India.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is nearing yet another fifty. India's lead now is 129.

Over 62 | Score 235/4 (Kohli 29; Jadeja 5)

Virat Kohli looks in fine touch. India's fortunes in the match will depend on the skipper performance today. His partner at the other end, Ravindra Jadeja, who's promoted ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha, has also settled down after early anxious moments.

Over 57 | Score 224/4 (Kohli 20; Jadeja 3)

India's lead is 102 now, and skipper Virat Kohli is extra cautious. India need a good third innings total to defend against this confident Lankan side.

Moments ago, Kohli played a gorgeous cover drive. On the front foot, he picked up a good length delivery and beat the cover fielder with a perfectly timed shot. That happened off the third ball of the 57th over.

Over 53 | Run 213/4 (Kohli 13; Jadeja 0)

What an over from Suranga Lakmal. He is back to torment India for the second time in the match. Dismisses both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the same over, off the second and sixth balls respectively.

Wicket: Cheteshwar Pujara c Dilruwan Perera b Suranga Lakmal 22(51)

Wicket: Ajinkya Rahane lbw b Suranga Lakmal 0(4)

Ravindra Jadeja is the new man for India.

Over 52 | Run 212/2 (Pujara 22; Kohli 12)

India lose overnight batsman KL Rahul in the 45th over, but since the arrival of Virat Kohli, another 21 runs have been added to the total as they crossed the 200-run mark.

Wicket: KL Rahul b Suranga Lakmal 79 (125)

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara becomes third Indian to bat on all 5 days. Deserving indeed.

Over 43 | Run 191/1 (KL Rahul 78; Pujara 16)

KL Rahul and Pujara had added 25 runs for the second wicket as India started the final day morning on a bright note.