Pujara, Vijay combine to put India in control of Nagpur Test

Nagpur [India], November 25 (ANI): Opener Murali Vijay and first drop Cheteshwar Pujara smashed blistering centuries to put India in a commanding position against Sri Lanka at stumps on Day Two of the second Test here at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.

Resuming at yesterday's score of 11 for one, Vijay made a superb comeback with the bat as he not only smashed a brilliant 128-run knock, including 11 boundaries and one six, but also shared a huge 209-run stand with Pujara for the second wicket.

Pujara smashed 13 boundaries in his unbeaten 121-run knock and he was well supported by Indian skipper Virat Kohli (54), who also notched a half century to guide India to a huge score of 312 for two at stumps.

India will now try to continue to keep the Lankan bowlers at bay with their stunning defensive batting display when Pujara and Kohli resume the hosts' innings on Sunday.

For Lanka, Rangana Herath and Lahiru Gamage bagged a wicket each.

Earlier, the Indian trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma ran through Sri Lanka's batting line-up to put India in the driver's seat on the opening day on Friday.

The trio bagged 10 wickets among themselves after Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to bat first.

Ashwin and Jadeja, who went wicketless in the drawn opening Test in Kolkata, finished Lanka's first innings with four and three wickets, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ishant bagged three wickets to help India bowl out Lanka for a paltry total of 205 runs.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne and Chandimal were the only batsmen to provide the visitors with some relief as they contributed 51 and 57, respectively before being dismissed at crucial moments.(ANI)