Sri Lanka vs India 2017: Five things India did right to smash Sri Lanka in third Test

#2 The brilliant opening stand between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul

Dhawan and Rahul added 188 for the first wicket

Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul provided India with a strong start, adding 188 runs for the first wicket. Both players dealt in boundaries with Dhawan being the aggressor, smashing boundaries all around the ground especially through the midwicket, cover, and point regions.

Rahul batted relatively slowly when compared to Dhawan but his timing and footwork were exquisite as he reached his seventh consecutive 50+ score in Tests, equaling the record for the most number of consecutive scores of 50+.

Rahul was eventually dismissed for 85 but Dhawan batted his way to a century, his second of the series, before being dismissed for 119 off just 123 deliveries. The opening partnership was one of the key reasons why the Indian innings was not affected too much despite most of the middle-order being dismissed early.