Team India’s clinical performance thrashed the hosts Sri Lankan team and defeated them by a record 304-runs. Hence, India registered their biggest overseas win when they defeated Sri Lanka by 304 runs in the first Test in Galle.
As the regular openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul were out of the first Test due to injury and viral fever, reserve openers Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund were given chance to open the innings in the first Test.
Dhawan came in as a replacement for an injured Vijay whereas Mukund while Rahul had to sit out the first Test with viral fever. Given the chance, both the openers grabbed which they got by scoring runs. The man in form left-hander Shikhar Dhawan scored 190 off 168 balls and Abhinav Mukund scored a second innings 81.
India piled on 600 in their first innings and then declared their second innings closed on 240 for three. Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli also got hundreds as the touring side dominated the match for all four days.
Now, Indian skipper Virat Kohli is facing a problem of plenty at the top of the batting order. The Karnataka batsman having recovered is all set for a return in the second Test. Kohli is in a tricky situation as all openers are in good form.
“Yes, it’s a very tricky situation. And we’ve got a fourth guy who’s a regular opener for India who’s not fit (Vijay). We’ve got all four openers firing now. Shikhar was supposed to go (home) to Melbourne, now he’s got a 190 in Galle. So, anything can happen in life,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
It has been a good headache for Kohli to have and hopes the guys missing out would understand. “It’s a massive headache but I guess a good one. You know, eventually, guys understand that only two can take the field and at most two or three openers make the squad,” the Indian skipper said.
“It’s going to be tough but it’s something that any day you’d like to be in this situation rather than having guys that are not scoring.” So, we have to wait and see whom would Indian team and captain select as the opening batsmen for the second Test.
However, the touring side is continuing its good form as the No.1 Test side and is leading 1-0 in the three-match series.