India sealed the Test series with a 117-run victory win against hosts Sri Lanka, ending a winless run of 22 years in the island nation.Indian bowlers could wind up the gritty Sri Lankan side with the second new ball after tea on the last day of the Test.The visitors wrapped by the Sri Lankan innings on 268, but not before captain Angelo Mathews and debutant Kushal Perera gave the Indians a scare with a 135-run partnership. When Ashwin induced a false shot from Perera just before the second new ball was due, flood gates opened and the tail failed to wag for the hosts.The 2-1 Test victory for India came after many twists and turns, where the young Indian side led by Virat Kohli on his first full tour as captain, had to master difficult conditions and tight situations.Cheteshwar Pujara was named the man of the Match and Ravichandran Ashwin, with highest number of wickets by any bowler, was the man of the series.The three test match series in Sri Lanka was historic for a number of reasons. The first match at Galle saw the batting collapse of young Indian side in the fourth innings on Independence Day after being in total control for most of that match.The second match at P Sara Oval in Colombo was again dominated by Indian bowlers but the batsmen did not let the team down and the visitors squared the series. The match will however be remembered for being the last Test of Kumara Sangakkara, the gentleman cricketer from Sri Lanka, and a role model for many around the world.The third match in Colombo began on an inauspicious note, with almost entire first day being wiped out by rain. But from the second day on, a great battle for supremacy, and for the series, ensued. India were put in a dominant position by Chateshwar Pujara with an unbeaten knock of 145 in his comeback match. The visitors got a handsome first innings lead due to great bowling from all the bowlers, particularly by Ishant Sharma. Today, on the last day, Sri Lanka fought hard till tea, with captain Angelo Mathews leading from the front. However, wily Ashwin and fiery Sharma put paid to their heroics and India won a memorable series victory in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years.
News On AIR | September 1, 2015 6:30 PM
India win test series, end 22-year drought in Sri Lanka