Openers Virender Sehwag (128*) and his Delhi partner Gambhir (56) gave India a perfect start, putting together 167 runs in the rain shortened first day's play of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Thursday.
India v Sri Lanka 2nd Test Match Day One Report
Sehwag Shines, Big Stars Fade
Last Update : 01-Aug-2008 07:00:00 IST

Galle: The Sri Lankans, however, claimed the wickets of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly within a space of 5 runs to leave India at 214 for 4 at close of play. At lunch here at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday, when the rain gods intervened, India were comfortable placed at 151 for no loss in 29 overs. But the match started after tea, the Indian top-order collapsed again and followed by "Tu Chal Main Aaya" slogan. In 15.3 overs, India made 63 runs and lost 4 wickets. Gautam Gambhir was first to go and in the next 11 runs India lost another three wickets - Rahul, Sachin and Sourav.

Some important highlights of day one:

• Three number of times Ajantha Mendis has dismissed Rahul Dravid in three successive innings. Dravid has managed to score only 14, 10 and 2 in the series to far.
• 91 runs made by Virender Sehwag before lunch. For the second time in his Test career, Sehwag came close to reaching a hundred in the first session of a Test
• 128 runs made by Sehwag off 122 balls at a strike rate of 104.91. it was his first hundred against Sri Lanka, 15th in Test and eight away from home.
• 167 runs added by Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir Indis's best for the first wicket at Galle, eclipsing the 79 between SS Das and S Ramesh in 2001-02. This stand is now the best by any opening pair against Sri Lanka at Galle. Stuart Carlisle and Trevor Gripper had put on 153 for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2001-02.