Angelo Mathews rested for the morning session as he was down with flu

Angelo Mathews did not take the field during the first session on the second day of the Galle Test as he was down with the flu, Sri Lanka team manager Jerry Woutersz confirmed as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Mathews woke up with a fever and was rested for the morning session after consulting the doctor. Vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne led Sri Lanka his absence.

He made his way back to the field after lunch, but didn’t bowl at all as India looked all set for a big total with both Dhawan and Kohli made centuries on a day of many dropped chances by the Lankans. The Lankan bowling unit didn’t bowl in the right areas and gave away easy runs and did not restrict the singles. With a left and right hand combination to bowl at they had a hard time. With a 200 run partnership, they laid the foundation for a lead going into the third day. Rahane faltered getting out for a duck, but Wriddhiman Saha help in stabilizing the innings with a well made half century, to take India to 192 run lead.

Sri Lanka’s second innings got off to a dismal start as both openers returned to the pavilion in the span of 5 balls, both going for ducks. Kohli started off with spin from both ends and the gamble paid off immediately with Ashwin cleaning up Karunaratne and Mishra beating Silva’s bat and pad. Lanka will start off at 5 for 2 on the third day with night watchman Dhammika Prasad and Kumar Sangakkara at the crease.

India is in the driver’s seat after day two, and if they perform in the same way they can finish off the test within three days and take a 1-0 lead in the series which will certainly boost their spirits and make them come out a better team in the coming days.

Lankan hopes rest on the shoulders of outgoing Kumar Sangakkara and captain Angelo Mathews who helped Sri Lanka get to a respectable total in the first innings. Both of them will have to bring out their best performance to put up a formidable fight against the Indians.