Pandya smacks maiden Test ton propelling India to 487, Lanka 61/4 at lunch

Pallekele [Sri Lanka], Aug 13. (ANI) Hardik Pandya's maiden test hundred propelled India to pile 487 runs on the board in the first innings of the third Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Sunday. Pandya who came into bat at number eight, scored 108 runs off just 96 balls. His 26 runs against spinner Pushpakumara's over set a new record of most number of runs scored by an Indian in one over in Tests. Earlier, resuming India's innings at at 329 for 6, Pandya and Wriddhiman Saha were not able to add much to their overnight partnership as Saha was caught at gully by Dilruwan Perera off Vishwa Fernando's delivery. Kuldeep Yadav batted decisively with Pandya on the other end to put on 62 runs partnership for the 8th wicket. Mohammed Shami was just able to add 8 runs and was out caught and bowled by Sandakan. Pandya then went onto completing his century off just 86 balls and put a tenth-wicket stand of 66 with Umesh Ydadav to guide India to 487 in the first innings. Holding a two-nil lead after winning the first two matches by comprehensive margins, Virat Kohli and his men stand on the cusp of history, aiming to become the first Indian team to complete a whitewash in an overseas three-Test series. (ANI)