September 22, 2024

Ravindra Fights Alone as Sri Lanka Close in on Victory with Two Wickets Remaining

New Zealand still needs 68 more runs to reach their target of 275. Rachin Ravindra led the fight, with New Zealand scoring 194 runs in the last two sessions of day four. However, Sri Lanka’s spinners applied heavy pressure on a pitch that quickly worsened, leaving New Zealand with only two wickets remaining.

At the end of the day, Ravindra was unbeaten on 91 but running out of support as Ajaz Patel barely survived stumps. While New Zealand will back themselves to chase the remaining runs, the challenging pitch conditions will make it tough.

The day belonged to the spinners, starting with Ajaz Patel taking five wickets in the morning session—finishing with figures of 6 for 90—and ending with Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis claiming three wickets each. In total, 14 wickets fell during the day, 13 to spin.

Despite the back-and-forth action, Sri Lanka ended the day on top, thanks to a late session where they took four key wickets. New Zealand initially came out after tea with aggressive intent. They attacked Lahiru Kumara, scoring 14 runs off one over. They followed up with boundaries off Ramesh Mendis, adding 56 runs through Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell. At that point, New Zealand needed 123 more runs with six wickets. However, on this tricky surface, staying settled was tough, and Blundell was bowled while attempting a reverse sweep.

Phillips Falls Early, Santner and Southee Follow as Sri Lanka Tightens Grip

Glenn Phillips came to the crease next and given that his aggressive 49 was not out in the first innings, his wicket was crucial. However, he didn’t last long this time, edging a forward defense to second slip for just 4 runs.

Mitchell Santner tried to hold up one end. At the same time, Ravindra continued his attack but eventually lost patience and hit a lofted delivery straight to short cover. With the tail exposed, Sri Lanka wasted no time dismissing Tim Southee. He struggled with the spin outside off stump and was eventually trapped LBW after a successful review by Ramesh Mendis.

Earlier in the day, the match had its ups and downs. Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 72 runs, with Ajaz Patel taking five in just over an hour, wrapping up their second innings by the morning session. Will O’Rourke also contributed with 3 for 49. Sri Lanka struck back before lunch, dismissing Devon Conway, who chopped onto his stumps from a sharp in-seamer by Asitha Fernando. Still, New Zealand fought back in the afternoon session.

Jayasuriya and Ramesh kept a consistent line and length. Still, Tom Latham and Kane Williamson looked to counter by sweeping and using their feet to unsettle the spinners.

Williamson’s Aggression Cut Short as Sri Lanka Strikes Back

Williamson was especially active, alternating between moving deep into the crease and stepping out to meet the ball. A standout moment came when he lofted a six over extra cover against Jayasuriya, playing with the spin. Just before that, he had struck a beautiful cover drive.

Jayasuriya had the final say, pulling his length back just enough to catch Williamson stepping out once too often. The ball spun past Williamson’s panicked forward defense, and Kusal Mendis quickly removed the bails. The sharp turn left Williamson confused and visibly frustrated as he walked off. His dismissal ended a promising 45-run partnership that had been building momentum, much like in the first innings.

Before the session ended, Sri Lanka also claimed the wickets of Tom Latham, undone by Dhananjaya de Silva’s straight delivery, and Daryl Mitchell, bowled by a sharply turning ball from Ramesh Mendis. However, New Zealand fought again through Ravindra and Blundell, though the spinners soon regained control.

Ashwin’s double act of hundred and six-for secures a 1-0 lead for India.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a resilient 82, holding India’s bowling attack off. Still, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take nine wickets. Ashwin achieved his fourth double—scoring a hundred and taking five wickets in the same Test—helping India secure a 1-0 series lead against Bangladesh on the fourth morning in Chennai. This was also Ashwin’s second consecutive double at Chepauk.

In the morning session, Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan frustrated India for the first hour, surviving some challenging bowling from Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj bowled relentlessly, repeatedly beating Shanto’s bat and exchanging words with him, but Shanto remained firm. Shakib was hit on the fingers but stayed at the crease. However, Ashwin and Jadeja broke Bangladesh’s defense in the second hour. Ashwin’s 37th five-wicket haul put him on par with Shane Warne, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan’s 67.

Shortly after drinks, local favorites R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja teamed up, echoing their match-turning batting partnership from day one. In his first over, Ashwin got Shakib Al Hasan to play down the wrong line with some clever drift, allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal to take a sharp catch at short leg. This wicket moved Ashwin past Courtney Walsh’s tally of 519, placing him 8th on the all-time wicket-takers list.

Jadeja, bowling with pace and turn, soon had Litton Das edge a ball to first slip for an easy catch. Ashwin then picked up a simple wicket when Mehidy Hasan Miraz misjudged a shot and offered Jadeja a catch at long-on, completing Ashwin’s five-wicket haul. Shanto, trying to protect the strike, attempted an aggressive shot off Jadeja but edged it thickly, and the inevitable collapse followed. Ashwin could have had a seventh wicket. Still, a missed review led to Jadeja claiming his third instead.