Rain forces early lunch with India at 50/2 (Lunch report)

Rain forced an early lunch on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka with the visitors losing two wickets for 50 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) here on Friday.

Opening batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (19 not out) and captain Virat Kohli (14 not out) were at the crease after 15 overs of play. India lost opener Lokesh Rahul (2) and Ajinkya Rahane (8).

With the series tied 1-1, India didn't get the start they wanted. Right-hander Rahul left a right-arm pacer Dhammika Prasad delivery only to see it dart in and rattle his off stump in the second ball of the day.

The next to go was Rahane, who was plumb in front of the wicket against right-arm medium pacer Nuwan Pradeep. The ball was pitched up and Rahane played it across to miss the line completely.

Later, Kolhi and Pujara, who was getting his first chance to play in the series, batted cautiously to ward off the danger posed by the Sri Lankan bowlers till the rain poured down heavily and forced the umpires to call an early lunch.

Earlier, India handed a Test debut to Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, while glovesman Kusal Perera also made his first appearance for Sri Lanka.