Ashwin, Shami lead three-day rout as India complete whitewash
R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 as India completed a 3-0 whitewash with an innings win in Pallekele
R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 as India completed a 3-0 whitewash with an innings win in Pallekele
Scorer: Sanjay Murari | Commentator: Nikhil Kalro
2.48pm Smiles, jokes, laughs. India leave the field pleased. You won't see too many in the Sri Lanka camp. India have eased past Sri Lanka for the third consecutive time this series, this time inside three days. Sri Lanka were made to follow-on again but didn't get close for the second time this Test, folding for just 181 on a surface that didn't do too much. There was an apparent bridge in skill between the two sides. All of India's bowlers, including fifth-bowler Hardik Pandya, contributed either with wickets or pressure or both. Sri Lanka's batsmen played with no clear gameplan, and predictably, weren't able to sustain a period of excellence through the series.
The presentation.
Shikhar Dhawan is the Man of the Series: "Before the series, I was in Hong Kong enjoying my holiday. Things went very well for me. I got backup from my management, i enjoy playing this way, it's my natural game. I've to keep doing i, nothing permanent, we have tight competition for all positions."
Hardik Pandya is the Man of the Match: "I was glad that I got my first hundred here, situation pretty good for me. I was always going to have a target in mind. Test cricket is not easy to get five-fors, takes plenty of hardwork. I'm alright with where the team needs me to bat."
Virat Kohli: "A good day, a good win. Always nice to have a convincing win. I would say the regulars have performed, the biggest positive was Hardik's inclusions - he gives us a boost in the middle order. We are a young side, looking forward to all Tests, that's the only way you can be ruthless. We like to be proactive instead of reactive."
Dinesh Chandimal: "You can't control the toss, a tough series as a team. India played some good cricket. Our batting and bowling was below-par through the series. We had to be more patient and concentrate more."
Cheteshwar Pujara: "We've played for IndianOil too, scored many runs together (Ajinkya Rahane). When it comes to preparation, once we've ticked all the boxes, we trust our abilities. I would like to play more county matches, it did help me. When you play county cricket, you get challenging wickets."
Ajinkya Rahane: "Played a wrong shot, played on instinct (first-innings dismissal). When a guy isn't doing well, he (batting coach Sanjay Bangar) takes you out for dinner and gives you positive vibes."
CBRLS Kumara b Ashwin 10 (18m 15b 2x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Ashwin
This Indian team has rid itself of a culture in which newcomers were judged, according to Virat Kohli
Not once could Sri Lanka push a Test match to the fifth day and the new captain Dinesh Chandimal felt quite badly about that
Stats highlights from the third day of the Pallekele Test between Sri Lanka and India
India's 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka was their first ever clean sweep away from home in a series of three or more Tests
R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 as India completed a 3-0 whitewash with an innings win in Pallekele