India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 2nd Test Day 2: 5 things we learnt from the day

India built on their promising start from the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Nagpur to firmly take control of the match, with centuries from Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara helping the hosts take a 107-run lead at stumps on Day 2.

Virat Kohli also scored a quick-fire half-century and is undefeated at the crease along with Pujara and will be hoping to build on the already impressive-looking lead on the third day to try and bat out the opposition at the first time of asking.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the second day's play:

#5 Nothing beats the beauty of Test cricket

The ODI and T20 formats of the game can sure bring in a lot of new viewers and help widen the fan base of cricket, but there is little doubt that the ultimate joy from a player's perspective comes from outplaying the opponent in the Test format.

The ongoing first Ashes Test between Australia and England has already proved that cricket can still be a riveting contest to watch even if the run-rate is below 3-runs-an-over and the second day of the Nagpur Test was a classic example of how Test cricket ought to be played.

After losing KL Rahul's wicket early on in the innings, Vijay and Pujara had to make sure that India didn't lose any more wickets and they did the job well, forging their fourth 100+ partnership on the trot.

The duo played their roles beautifully, patiently building their innings on the way to bringing up their respective centuries, tiring out the Sri Lankan bowlers with their patient display.

The way the Indian batsmen batted left little hope for the opposition and it was clear that the Sri Lankan shoulders were drooping as the day progressed. There looks to be little way back for the tourists in this match.

#4 A day of missed opportunities for Sri Lanka

Chandimal's moves failed to pay off as the fielders let him down

When the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay are batting so well, it is imperative that the opposition take the few chances that might come their way but the Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal was let down in this respect by his fielders.

Vijay can count himself lucky, not once but twice, as the fielder at short leg was unable to grab on to the ball as it flew off the face of Vijay's bat, before he went on to have a shy at the stumps. The ball narrowly missed the stumps and Vijay who was still outside his crease was able to breathe easily.

Vijay had yet another let-off later on as Dilruwan Perera, who was specifically placed at short mid-on by his skipper, was unable to hold on to an uppish on-drive from the Tamil Nadu cricketer's bat. This was a much better chance than the previous one and Sri Lanka were left to rue the missed opportunities.

#3 Sri Lanka's bowling attack badly in need of reinforcements

Herath has found wickets hard to come by in India

It is well documented that Sri Lanka have been unable to find able replacements for the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in their batting department but they also have plenty to think about in the bowling department as well.

The visitors hardly threatened to disrupt the Indian batting at any point of time during the second day's play at Nagpur and a couple of chances that came their way was down to the batsmen's faults more than anything else.

The ease with Pujara and Vijay were able to block out the deliveries would be something that would worry Chandimal and the Sri Lankan team management.

While the Indian batsmen were happy to see out Rangana Herath and Lahiru Gamage, they took Dilruwan Perera to the cleaners as he conceded runs at nearly six-an-over. Herath's inability to take wickets will no doubt be a concern for the away side.

Apart from the first innings in the Kolkata Test, the Sri Lankan bowlers have hardly troubled the Indian batting line-up and it's time Sri Lanka find answers to their problems.

#2 Mr. Consistent - Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara continued his fine run of form against Sri Lanka and brought up his 14th Test ton on Saturday

Gone are the days when question marks used to be raised about Cheteshwar Pujara's place in the Test squad.

The 29-year-old is now showing the class and technique that led to his comparisons with Rahul Dravid on a consistent basis. He has well and truly established himself as India's No 3 in Tests.

When KL Rahul was dismissed just before the close of play on the opening day of the match, Harsha Bhogle, who was on air at the time, spoke about how important it was to see Pujara walk out to bat at his usual spot and not a nightwatchman, and it just shows the immense powers of concentration Pujara possesses.

Pujara batted throughout the second day of the match on Saturday to bring up his 14th Test century and though it was a stark contrast to Vijay's sublime innings at the other end, the Saurashtra cricketer did things his own patient way and there's no reason to complain.

#1 Murali Vijay should be India's first-choice Test opener

Vijay's overseas track-record is remarkable and he should be an automatic selection for the SA series

Murali Vijay can count himself as a very unlucky cricketer as injuries have time and again forced him out of the national side.

However, he had luck on his side this time around as Shikhar Dhawan requested the BCCI not to consider him for selection in the Nagpur Test so as to attend his sister's marriage, and Vijay was the beneficiary, opening the Indian innings along with KL Rahul.

Never one to miss out on an opportunity, Vijay once again proved to the Indian selectors that he is their best bet as India's first-choice opener and that he should be an automatic selection in the Test side when he is injury free.

He did have a couple of lucky escapes no doubt, but his knock of 128 was a joy to watch for the purists of the game. Keeping out the good deliveries patiently, Vijay dismissed the bad balls to the fence with disdain after starting out at a slow pace initially.

It is amazing to look back at Vijay's quickfire IPL century for Chennai Super Kings years ago and the kind of transformation he has brought into his game as a Test specialist who is so patient in building his innings.

His overseas track record is terrific and the Indian selectors would do well to not overlook Vijay in the Test playing eleven on India's away tour to South Africa.