India in charge of Galle Test at end of first day's play

India was strongly placed against Sri Lanka at the end of the first day's play of the first Test between the two sides on Wednesday.

At the draw of stumps, India had scored 128 for the loss of two wickets in reply to Sri Lanka's 183 all out.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan was batting on an unbeaten 53, while skipper Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 45.

Earlier, Sri Lanka were bundled out for a paltry 183, thanks to an incisive spell of off-spin by Ravichandra Ashwin, who claimed six wickets for 46 runs.

For the Lankans, skipper Angelo Mathews scored 64, while Dinesh Chandimal scored 59.

India requires another 55 runs to overhaul the Lankan total.

At the draw of stumps, Kohli appeared to be in a satisfactory position after losing the toss and being put in to field by Mathews.

Ashwin registered the best figures for an India bowler in the first innings of an away Test. Ashwin ran away to his fastest five-for in Tests (63 balls), also his second in two Tests and the best figures by an Indian in Sri Lanka.

On a pitch that offered turn and bounce as early as the first session, this toss was all the more important to win, which is what will rankle the home captain Angelo Mathews the most.