Pallekele Test News

India's huge score was made possible after Pandya displayed his blitzkrieg with a blistering 96-ball 108-run knock to crack his maiden Test century in just his third game.

The hosts were all out for 181 in their second innings after made to follow on. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 135 on Sunday after India posted 487 in their first innings.

The Pakistani cricket great had completed his century in the island country in 86-balls during a series in 2000 at Galle International Stadium.

After restarting innings at 329/6 on Day 2, Hardik Pandya bagged his maiden Test century to fire India to 487.

En route to his Test hundred, the Baroda-based all-rounder slamed 26 runs to Malinda Pushpakumara.

Lanka, playing to avoid a rare series whitewash at home, did well to restrict the visitors to 329 for 6 at stumps on day one of the third Test. At one time, Virat Kohli & Co were looking at a score of more than 400 runs on the first day itself.

Courtesy Dhawan's (119) sixth Test hundred and a record 188-run opening stand with KL Rahul (85), India looked good for a score close to 400 after opting to bat.

India have won the first two Tests by comprehensive margins -- by 304 runs in Galle and an innings and 53 runs in Colombo. The island nation, which has been going through a transition phase for quite some time, has decided to roll-out a green top with an aim to salvage some pride from the inconsequential game.

Sri Lanka, lampooned by fans and described as pot-bellied by their sports minister, can now ill afford a third loss to top-ranked India in Pallekele, following their crushing defeats in Galle and Colombo.

During Sri Lanka`s second innings, Jadeja fielded a ball off his own bowling and threw it at batsman Malinda Pushpakumara "in a dangerous manner", according to the on-field umpires.

With Sri Lanka already losing the series and a hectic Test season ahead, the team management decided on resting the veteran spinner.