KOLKATA: Cheteshwar Pujara stood firm against a relentless Sri Lankan pace attack as India stumbled to 74-5 before rain washed out the second day of the first Test before lunch on Friday. Fast bowler Dasun Shanaka struck twice on a cloudy morning session at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens as the hosts struggled to build on their overnight 17-3.Pujara, on 47, and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, on six, were at the crease when rain arrived before lunch, preventing play for the rest of the day. The continued adverse weather meant only 21 overs were played Friday, after just 11.5 overs were completed the previous day.Pujara’s overnight partner Ajinkya Rahane became Shanaka’s first victim, caught behind for four after a tentative 21-ball stay at the crease. Shanaka, playing just his second Test after his debut against England last year, also got Ravichandran Ashwin for four, putting the hosts in trouble at 50-5.Pujara, starting the day on eight, hit out when he could, finding the boundary nine times during his 102-ball stay so far. Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas lauded “world class” Pujara for his gritty knock, saying the batsman’s county experience helped him master the seaming conditions. Pujara, who signed up with English county side Nottinghamshire in May, presents himself as a classical batsman in the age of Twenty20 cricket.Meanwhile Suranga Lakmal, who took three wickets in six maiden overs on Thursday, conceded his first runs after 46 balls to return figures of 3-5. His victims on day one included India skipper Virat Kohli.India’s fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar believes the Indian seamers will also relish bowling in these conditions. India (overnight 17-3): L. Rahul c Dickwella b Lakmal 0 S. Dhawan b Lakmal 8 C. Pujara not out 47 V. Kohli lbw b Lakmal 0 A. Rahane c Dickwella b Shanaka 4 R. Ashwin c Karunaratne b Shanaka 4 W. Saha not out 6 Extras: (lb1, b4) 5 Total: (5 wickets, 32.5 overs) 74 Bowling: Lakmal 11-9-5-3, Gamage 11.5-3-24-0, Shanaka 8-2-23-2, Karunaratne 2-0-17-0 Toss: Sri Lanka Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WIS) Match referee: David Boon (AUS).
