adminPALLEKELE. – Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed four wickets yesterday as India crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 171 runs inside three days to complete their first three-Test cricket series sweep on foreign soil.
Off-spinner Ashwin and paceman Mohammed Shami shared seven wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 181 after following-on in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka crumbled to 135 all out in their first response to India’s first innings 487, putting the world’s top Test team in firm control.
“We are a young side. We look forward to playing Test cricket with the same kind of excitement. That’s the only way you can be ruthless. . . We like to be proactive rather than reactive,” said captain Virat Kohli.
“We have age on our side. We have an opportunity to play together for five-six years with this whole bunch and this really excites us,” he added.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya set up the win with a blistering, 96-ball 108, cracking his maiden Test century in just his third game.
The 23-year-old Pandya, who hit eight fours and seven sixes, received the man-of-the-match award. He also bowled out former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews for nought in the first innings. – AFP.
Online Reporter