Dhawan, Kohli centuries put India on top (Tea report)

India skipper Virat Kohli struck an impressive century while opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 134 to help India extend their first innings lead to 121 runs at tea on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Kohli (103) and Dhawan both looked settled for even bigger knocks but both fell in the second session, thus ending their 227-run third-wicket partnership.

Wriddhiman Saha (23 not out) and Harbhajan Singh (0 not out) remained unbeaten as India reached 304/6 in 91 overs at tea after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 183 on Day One itself, thanks to an impressive six-wicket haul by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Resuming the second day's play at 128/2 on a sunny morning, Indian overnight batsman Kohli and Dhawan found it difficult to score freely as Lankan pacers and spinners bowled in tandem. The visitors hit their first boundary only in the 13th over of the day.

However, as the first hour of play progressed, the batsmen slowly settled down and took a vital 44-run first innings lead when the first session ended.

Coming on to the field after lunch, India played on an aggressive note as skipper Kohli brought up his 10th Test century in style. But he was dismissed soon after his ton, going back to the pavilion with the score at 255/3.

India received a double blow when incoming batsman Ajinkya Rahane was out for a duck on his fifth delivery with India at 257/4.

Set batsman Dhawan and Ashwin (7) also fell soon after to give Sri Lanka something to cheer about before tea was called.