IND VS SL - 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of India, 2022

Three days in Mohali and a little under three days in Bengaluru, India waltzed to a 2-0 series win to finish their season on a high. More importantly, they've gone up to number four in the #WTC23 table, and have a maximum of 7 more Tests to try and make it to the Lord's final next June. Lots of positives coming out from a series which saw Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer replace Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, at 3 and 5 respectively. Are they good enough to sustain it on a long run? India just have one overseas Test at Edgbaston in July, in this cycle of the Test championships. The jury might have to wait, but the promise is certainly there. On the other hand, the bowling has grown leaps and bounds, and it's not just the spin department. Team India will be back in action in June, for a 5-match T20I series against South Africa at home, but there's a lot of cricket going around and yes, the IPL isn't too far away, starting on 26th March. Do change tabs around and continue to enjoy our coverage. For now, cheers and bye..

Rohit Sharma | India captain - It's been a good run, enjoyed it personally and as a team, there were so many things we wanted to achieve and I think we did. No doubt about it (on Ravindra Jadeja), we have seen him grow as a batter, he seems to be getting better and better, at 7, he strengthens the batting, and he's a complete package, with his fielding and bowling, brings a lot to the team. He has just carried on from the T20s (on Shreyas Iyer), he didn't get out there a single time and he's carried it into the Tests. He knew he was replacing Pujara and Rahane, big boots to fill, but he's obviously doing it really well. He seems to get better in every Test, especially in these conditions (on Rishabh Pant). The England series (at home) was challenging, but looks like the confidence is back, with his catches and stumpings. It was kind of him to say that (on Ashwin), but it was my feeling (about being the best bowler), he does something for the team whenever he's given the ball, gives match-winning performance every time he's given the ball, so I think he's a legend of the game. Comes up with the goods every time the ball is handed to him. It's been challenging (on D/N Tests at home), third Test and we're still learning about how to handle (the conditions). The crowd coming back and celebrating with us has been so pleasing.

Rishabh Pant | Player of the series - I think both (batting and keeping), you need to keep evolving, I've made mistakes in the past and want to keep improving. It's not in my mindset, the wicket was difficult to play, so I thought I will look for quick runs. I'll do whatever the team management want me to do (on batting at number five). I think it's more about confidence, previously, I used to think too much, now I'm only focusing on every ball (referring to his improved keeping skills).

Shreyas Iyer | Player of the Match - That wasn't my normal approach, but I saw the batters struggling, so I knew I had to be attacking and put the pressure back on the bowlers. I was batting on 55 when the bowlers came in, and then I added around 40 more runs. I could have got out earlier as well, so didn't worry about the hundred. I just wanted to bat as many balls as possible (in the second innings), knew that I had some support down the order with Shami and Bumrah. I have always dreamt about playing Test cricket for India, good feeling to come and contribute, want to keep this going.

Dimuth Karunaratne | Sri Lanka captain - I would have been more happier if we had won, but it was a tough one, we batted under lights and it was tough. But I have worked hard on my batting. We have a good team, the batting didn't capitalize on these conditions, the bowling was good, but we kept bowling loose deliveries every now and then, that's what we need to work on going further. There have been several youngsters coming up and this was an experience for them. It has been special playing alongside Lakmal and I wish him well for the upcoming county season.

India complete the 2021/22 home season undefeated.
4 Tests | 3 wins | 1 draw
3 ODIs | 3 wins
9 T20Is | 9 wins

Sri Lanka tail (#8 & below) this series
16 innings
26 runs
Avg 1.85
6 ducks
Highest 8

Lowest batting avg for SL in a Test series
12.10 vs Ind 1990/91 (1 Test)
15.12 vs NZ 1982/83 (2 Tests)
15.60 vs Ind 2021/22 (2 Tests) *
15.85 vs Aus 1987/88 (1 Test)

Axar Patel: I don't think much when I am the third spinner in the team. I know Ashwin and Jadeja will complete the work. I just try to play to my strength. Like Ash Bhai said, he bowls first and we speak about what is the right pace to bowl on the surface. And that's how I start my spell, start with my strengths and then within an over I know what to do. I would like to wish him (Ashwin) the best. We bonded at Delhi Capitals and I am going to miss him but anything can happen at the auctions.

Ashwin: I am not giving it a thought as to what I need to accomplish in a game. It has become more about how I build up into a series. The pink ball was a bit of a challenge this game as we are coming from a red-ball game and the ball behaves differently, so it took a couple of overs every time we got into a spell. It is about being there in the moment, getting into the spell and getting into rhythm. I enjoyed the spell today. It is a combination of a lot of things and it is an internal battle to try and understand the rhythm and pace I want to bowl. I thought the Ahmedabad pitch was much quicker and had more bounce than this one. Whenever the batsmen was getting beaten it was by a big margin. I thought Dimuth batted beautifully, whenever he used his feet it was a touch difficult to try and pull the length back. It was a different challenge but nonetheless a new experience. When I was bowling over the wicket he (Mendis) was covering the angle nicely and that's why I went round the wicket.

17:47 Local Time, 12:17 GMT, 17:47 IST: A comfortable victory, a win that was never in doubt and was done within 8 sessions. That's how the dice rolls in India. Take nothing away from them though - won a toss which eventually didn't matter, were put under pressure on a pitch that played tricks right from the first hour, Shreyas's 92 ensured that they had a total on board, came back under lights, and the pacers, Bumrah and Shami, blew Sri Lanka away, as the ball swung corners. Six wickets in the session and four more on the second morning - the visitors were dismissed for 109. With a big lead in their kitty, India batted positively in their second dig, although the pitch did improve once again. Pant's 28-ball 50, the fastest by an Indian in Tests was the icing on the cake, while Shreyas made 50s in both innings. They declared at 303 for 9, setting a record target of 447. It wasn't happening, but Sri Lanka didn't roll over, at least their captain didn't. Notched up his 14th Test hundred and delayed the inevitable, which did happen with 35 minutes to go for dinner. 24 points were up for grabs and the hosts ensured they grabbed it with both hands. Presentations coming up in a while..

Ashwin to Fernando, out Caught by Shami!! That's it, India win by 238 runs and wrap up the series 2-0. They've pocketed another 12 points in the #WTC23 table - loopy delivery outside off, was the off-break and Fernando couldn't resist - went for the big slog-sweep, gets a big thick toe-edge that went nowhere. Shami comes in from mid-off and grabs the dolly. Happy faces all around as India end their home summer on a high. Fernando c Shami b Ashwin 2(6)

Ashwin to Fernando, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Ashwin to Fernando, no run, the classic off-break from Ashwin - spins back in from outside off, has Fernando prodding forward, beats him on the inside edge and strikes him on the back-thigh

Ashwin to Fernando, no run, tossed up on middle, defended back at the bowler

Bumrah to Jayawickrama, no run, another slower off-cutter from Bumrah - Jayawickrama was pressing forward and is struck high on the pads

Bumrah to Jayawickrama, no run, change of pace and Jayawickrama is completely undone - slower ball that sp[un back and past Jayawickrama's feeble push, didn't miss the off-stump by much

Bumrah to Jayawickrama, no run, on a good length and just outside off - Jayawickrama pushes forward and finds the fielder at cover

Bumrah to Jayawickrama, no run, fuller length delivery on off, Jayawickrama jams the bat down and squeezes it out

Praveen Jayawickrama, right handed bat, comes to the crease