Vijay fifty steers India to 97-1 at lunch
The hosts were 97 for one at lunch, still trailing Sri Lanka by 108 runs.
NAGPUR (AFP) - Opener Murali Vijay hit a half-century to lead India’s solid first innings reply on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The hosts were 97 for one at lunch, still trailing Sri Lanka by 108 runs. Overnight batsmen Vijay, on 56, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on 33, were at the crease in Nagpur.
The duo put on an unbeaten 90-run stand for the second wicket after resuming the day on 11-1 in response to Sri Lanka’a modest 205.
Vijay, who scored his 16th Test fifty on his return to the Indian Test side, led the batting charge along with Pujara after a quiet first hour of play.
He has hit six boundaries in his 129-ball stay so far with a composed Pujara playing the ideal sheet anchor’s role at the other end.
Sri Lankan spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera bowled in tandem after the paceman failed to breakthrough, but were left wicketless in the 13 overs between them.
Fast bowler Lahiru Gamage -- the only wicket-taker in the innings so far -- dismissed opener Lokesh Rahul for seven when India started their reply on the first day.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed four wickets, led the Indian bowlers as they turned the tables on Sri Lanka after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first.
Both teams are looking to go one up in the three-Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Kolkata.
