Rain ruins first day as hosts strike twice

India

Only 15 overs were possible on day one of the third and deciding Test between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo on Thursday, with the visitors reaching 50 for two before the rain brought an early end to proceedings.

After winning the toss and deciding to field first, Sri Lanka made a good start when seamer Dhammika Prasad clean bowled opening batsman Lokesh Rahul with the second ball of the match to leave the tourists on two for one.

A good start became a great start when the other seamer, Nuwan Pradeep, trapped number three batsman Ajinkya Rahane in front for eight in the fourth over innings.

With the away side on 14 for two, their captain Virat Kohli (14*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (19*) steadied the ship somewhat as they took the score to the half-century mark before the heavens opened.

Both teams made two changes to their starting line-up from the last Test. India was enforced as injuries ruled out opener Murali Vijay and wicketkeeper Wriddihman Saha.

Pujara and keeper Naman Ojha, making his Test debut, were called into the team. Sri Lanka replaced the retired Kumar Sangakkara with Upul Tharanga while Jehan Mubarak made way to let Kusal Perera also make his debut in the whites.

The hosts won the first Test by 62 runs while India won the second match by a convincing 278-run margin.

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