India vs Sri Lanka: Ravindra Jadeja hits second Test hundred to help hosts post strong total

Ravindra Jadeja continued his sensational return to the Indian team to hammer his second Test hundred and put the hosts in a commanding position on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Jadeja, who came to bat after Shreyas Iyer's departure, shared a 104-run stand with Rishabh Pant (96) and then combined with Ravichandran Ashwin to forge another 100-plus unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket in the Mohali Test.

India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 2 Live Score and Updates

Jadeja's hundred was a befitting tribute to Shane Warne, who died on Friday, as the Australian legend had named the India star 'Rockstar' in 2008,

The morning session belonged to Jadeja as he reached triple figures just prior to lunch, celebrating the milestone in his inimitable sword-play style, regaling the small crowd gathered at the IS Bindra Stadium.

Jadeja was unbeaten on 102 runs from 166 deliveries. He shared a 130-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Ravichandran Ashwin (61).

Both teams lined up before the start of play and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Australian legend Shane Warne, who died Friday in Thailand from a suspected heart attack.

Earlier, on Day 1, Virat Kohli reached 8,000 runs in his 100th test and Rishabh Pant hit 96 off 97 balls as India scored 357/6 at stumps in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Pant got his ninth Test half-century as India took control in the third session of the opening day.

Opener Hanuma Vihari (58) completed his sixth test half-century and added 90 runs for the third wicket with Kohli, who walked to the crease to a chorus of cheers.

Sri Lanka pulled things back with two wickets in four overs.

Kohli played late and was bowled by Lasith Embuldeniya (2-107). Vishwa Fernando (1-69) left India at 175-4 as Vihari was bowled in the 47th over.

Kohli’s wait for an elusive 71st century goes on. He last reached the three-figure mark in November 2019.