Jadeja’s 175 Not out, helps India declare at 574/8

Mohali, March 5 (UNI) Ravindra Jadeja cracked an unbeaten 175 as India declared their first innings at a staggering 574 for 8 in the first innings against Sri Lanka here on Saturday. The bowling-all-rounder took to cleaners a listless Sri Lanka attack to help himself register a career best knock and become the highest scorer batting at No. 7. India went at lunch with a clear advantage after putting in a ravishing batting performance for a second day in succession. Jadeja polished his reputation as a batsman further after cracking his second Test ton. Soon after lunch, Vishwa Fernando dismissed Jayant Yadav for 9 after he pushed hard at an angled delivery in the slips. India marched past 500 after Jadeja lofted Lasith Embuldeniya for a six straight down the ground and then swatted him behind square for back-to-back boundaries. Mohammad Shami and Jadeja frustrated Sri Lanka by scripting a 103-run partnership for the 9th wicket before captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings. Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin (61), along with centurion Jadeja, scored his 12th Test fifty. They stitched a 130-run partnership for the seventh wicket before India reached a strong position at lunch. India plundered a whopping 111 runs in the morning session, losing only Ashwin’s wicket. The Sri Lankan attack looked clueless in Lahiru Kumara’s absence. The pacer suffered a hamstring on Friday and did not take the field on Saturday. According to former Sri Lankan player and commentator Arnold Russell, Kumara will be out of the action for at least two weeks. It was close to lunch that Suranga Lakmal picked up Ashwin’s wicket with a flurry of bouncers. Otherwise, Ashwin was all treat for the fans at the stadium. His silken flicks and well-timed drives reminded them of the class of VVS Laxman. Earlier, Rishabh Pant hammered 96 to help India reach 357 for six. He missed his century after he was cleaned up by Lakmal. Pant put on a vital stand of 104 with Jadeja, who remained 45 not out at stumps on the opening day. Pant reached his 8th Test half-century and then walloped Lasith Embuldeniya for two sixes and two fours in a 22-run over. He continued his blitz before being sent back by Lakmal. Hanuma Vihari (58) also hogged the limelight on Day 1 and looked comfortable in the company of Virat Kohli, who surpassed the 8,000 run-mark in his 100th Test match.