Test Cricket wins again
After what was an inspiring effort by Sri Lanka with the ball on the first 2 rain-affected days of the first test, quickly become yet again another one-sided affair. After dismissing India to a begging 172 all out. Sri Lanka's reply with the bat and the ball in the second innings allowed India back in the game.
However, with only a 49 run lead at the start of the fifth day and Sri Lanka yet to bat, the game could have only gone two ways, either India pull a miracle and win or it is a boring draw. Despite it being the later path, the term "boring" would be farthest from the truth. It turned out to be one of the final sessions for the ages.
Resuming from 171/1 on the fifth day, India blistered to 8/352 declaring courtesy of another Virat Kholi batting masterclass. His 119 ball 104 lifted India to a tactical declaration to allow their bowlers one session to bowl out Sri Lanka. In theory, batting out a session with all wickets in-tact is doable. However, cricket is a mental game, and with the pressure of the final session on the final day, it is least to say that the pressure certainly got to Sri Lanka. With the likes of Angelo Mathews and Denish Chandimal who could provide some sanity to a shaky batting lineup were dismissed cheaply. However, the overs were all too little to dismiss Sri Lanka, but it did not lack any excitement and tension. An outstanding spell of 4/8 by Buvenshwar Kumar gave India a slight chance of pulling off an incredible victory as Sri Lanka slumped to a fighting 7/75 at the end of days play. It is test matches like these which go down to the wire after 3 days of meandering cricket, and suddenly produce thrillers that encapsulate the love and desire that the players have for the game along with the fans. This is test cricket at its absolute best when the odds are constantly shifting and suddenly one spell can change the course of the game.
Well done to Sri Lanka for fighting it out and seeing the team through to a draw, and well done to India's inspiring bowling attack on the fifth day. However, despite a draw, the winner is Test Cricket, as games like these fuel the love that people have for the game and the reputation that it deserves as being one of the most captivatingly exciting games in the world.
However, with only a 49 run lead at the start of the fifth day and Sri Lanka yet to bat, the game could have only gone two ways, either India pull a miracle and win or it is a boring draw. Despite it being the later path, the term "boring" would be farthest from the truth. It turned out to be one of the final sessions for the ages.
Well done to Sri Lanka for fighting it out and seeing the team through to a draw, and well done to India's inspiring bowling attack on the fifth day. However, despite a draw, the winner is Test Cricket, as games like these fuel the love that people have for the game and the reputation that it deserves as being one of the most captivatingly exciting games in the world.
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