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India are looking in a strong position already having scored more than 500 in their first innings. On the back of batting heroics from Hanuma Vihari (58), Rishabh Pant (96), R Ashwin (61), and Ravindra Jadeja (141*), India are eyeing a big first-innings total. With the kind of bowling attack India is playing, it does not look like India will need to bat in the second innings.
However, Virat Kohli does not want to take any chance as he left the field to practice for the second innings. While Jadeja and Shami were batting in the first innings, Kohli left with the batting coach of the team to get ready for the second innings. Notably, he was dismissed on 45 off Lasith Embuldeniya in the first innings. And since it's Kohli's 100th Test match, he does not want to leave any stones unturned.
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Ravindra Jadeja crosses 150!
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja is playing a gem of an innings as he has now registered his highest score in the longest format. He has crossed the 150-run mark and is making sure that India end up with a big first-innings total. With an hour left in the second session, India are now eyeing something around 560 to end up with. A declaration is not that far as the team looks all dressed up in the dressing room. Meanwhile, it's worth noting that India have crossed the 500-run mark for the first time in 20+ Tests. While the highest first innings total by India looks safe for now, it is definitely going to be a record total.
Also, with the kind of intent India is playing this Test, chances of Virat Kohli's batting in the second innings look dim. With this, the wait for the 71st international century from Virat Kohli also elongates and so does the dream of a century in the 100th Test. Had Virat Kohli managed a three-figure mark in his 100th Test, he would have become the first of the 12 Indians to do so.
