India declare innings at 610/6, lead by 405 runs

Rohit Sharma scored a century after four years and remained unbeaten on 102. He scored eight boundaries and one six in his century knock.

Earlier, India skipper Virat Kohli made a brilliant double century on day three of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Kohli was dismissed by Dilruwan Perera for 213. He miscued a flighted delivery by Perera and was caught at long on by Lahiru Thirimanne.

Kohli took his tally of double centuries in Test cricket to five. The right handed batsman matched West Indian cricketing legend’s, Brian Lara, record of scoring five double-ton as captain in Test.

Indian captain scored 17 boundaries and 2 sixes during his double-ton knock.

Kohli, who cracked his 19th Test century, shared a 183-run stand for the third wicket with overnight centurion Cheteshwar Pujara, who got out just before lunch for a well-made 143.
Kohli with his 10th century went past former Australian captain Ricky Pointing’s record of nine test centuries in a calendar year.

Earlier, India took a massive first-innings lead of 199 runs, which puts them in a commanding position with eight sessions of the match to go.

Resuming the day at 312/2 and a lead of 105 runs, India rode on Kohli, who had an overnight score 54. The Delhi right-hander scored the bulk of the runs for India as Pujara added only 22 runs to his overnight individual score of 121 not out.

While Pujara was all about patience, Kohli was at ease, taking on the Sri Lankan bowlers at will. He found scoring easy as the Sri Lankans opened up the field, feeling the need to restrict the boundary shots. It meant that singles and doubles were always available for the Indian batting pair.

Facing the 130th delivery of his innings, Kohli flicked a delivery from paceman Suranga Lakmal to the mid-wicket to bring up his century, his second in as many matches.

Pujara was a perfect partner for Kohli as the former gave stability to the innings, especially in the morning session which was important to determine the expansion of India’s lead.

The Saurashtra right-hander was finally dismissed three overs before the end of the lunch session. He was late to react to a yorker-length delivery from pacer Dasun Shanaka as the ball rattled his stumps. His knock was studded with 14 fours out of the 362 balls he faced.

- The Stateman