India beat Sri Lanka by 278 runs to level three-match series 1-1

Ashwin celebrates after taking five wickets in the match

India defeated Sri Lanka by 278 runs to level the series by 3-match series by 1-1 in the second Test at the P Sara Stadium in Colombo. The hosts were bowled out at 134 runs; Ravichandran Ashwin again proved a pain for the Lankans’ batting line-up as he picked his 12th five-wicket (5/42) haul.

Sri Lanka began the final day of the second Test match against India on 72 for 2, still needing 341 runs more to defeat India. It turned out to be a dream start for India as they struck on the very first ball of the final day of second Test. Umesh Yadav got the prize wicket of captain Angelo Matthews, courtesy KL Rahul's catch.

First match hero, Dinesh Chandimal failed today to show his composed batting as Amit Mishra bowled him in an old fashioned leg-spinner dismissal. Ashwin continued his terrific form and got the danger man Lahiru Thirimanne out with the help of Cheteshwar Pujara's close-in catch.

Ishant Sharma joined the party soon, he dismissed Jehan Mubarak on duck, captain Virat Kohli took a low catch in the second slip area. It was looking sure by then that Sri Lanka have lost the plot and only rain can save them.

Wickets kept falling, Ashwin completed his 12th five-wicket haul in Tests by castling the opener Dimuth Karunaratne off a lovely arm-ball delivery. Karunaratne made 46 runs which included 6 boundaries.

Tharindu Kaushal was trapped in front of the stumps by Mishra's googly. Sri Lanka were 128 for 9 now and India just needed one wicket to bring up a historic victory.

Sri Lanka added two more runs on the board, it started to rain and the groundsmen rushed in with the covers. The crowd responded with big cheer as they know that this is the only way Sri Lanka can avoid losing in Sangakkara's farewell Test.

After the early lunch, Sri Lankan last wicket pair came out to bat but couldn't do much as Mishra again trapped the last batsman Chameera plumb in front of the wicket. This is India's 2nd successive win in Tests at P Sara Oval and for Sri Lanka, this is 4th loss in the last 5 games at this venue. This was also the first Test win for Virat Kohli as captain.

KL Rahul was rewarded with the Man-of-the-Match award for his brilliant century in the first innings of the match that helped stabilize India in the match.