IND vs SL 3rd Test: Twitter Reacts As Batsmen Help Sri Lanka To Earn A Hard-Fought Draw

Riding on Dhananjaya de Silva’s feisty century and a dodgy partnership between Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella, Sri Lanka held on to register a memorable draw in the third and final Test at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla.

The Islanders had their back against the wall when they began the day on 31 for 3 in pursuit off an improbable 410. Their hopes of drawing the game or levelling the series, however, was dealt a huge blow when Ravindra Jadeja sent back one of their batting mainstays Angelo Mathews for just 1. But unlike the past few innings, the visitors did not panic and de Silva and skipper Dinesh Chandimal set the tone for the day with a timely partnership of 112 runs.

The partnership was broken when Chandimal paid the price for trying out an ambitious shot. The right-handed batsman stepped out to hit Ravichandran Ashwin but the ball spun in sharply and went on to dislodge his bails. But even Chandimal’s departure could not affect Sri Lanka’s momentum as de Silva and Roshen Silva batted brilliantly. However, India got a glimmer of hope when de Silva left the field retired hurt after scoring 119. But even before India could sense a win, their hopes of thwarted by yet another solid partnership between Roshen and Dickwella. The duo went on to share an unbeaten stand of 152 to help their team recover from an early collapse and register a much-needed confidence-boosting draw. Roshen was unbeaten on 74 while Dickwella scored 44.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:

Fantastic batting from @OfficialSLC Yes.. couple who have been sitting out for a long time have stepped up and have effectively lost Only 1 wicket today against all odds #INDvSL Cmon .. see it home !!!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 6, 2017

Will go down as a match of missed opportunities…too many chances grassed for a pitch as flat as this one. Well played, Sri Lanka. #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2017

Russel Arnold celebrating draw as if it is 1996 all over again #INDvSL

— Nishith (@Nicks103) December 6, 2017

https://twitter.com/SpiceBoxofEarth/status/938354014898479105

Sri Lanka's 299/5 is the highest total by a visiting side in fourth inns of a Test match in India#IndvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 6, 2017

9th successive Test series victory for India under Virat Kohli's captaincy… equals Ricky Ponting's record ! #INDvSL

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 6, 2017

Pretty well earned draw for Sri Lanka. Chandimal and Mathews did that in the first innings and two young kids did that in the second. India will probably reflect on their plans a bit more? #INDvSL

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 6, 2017

https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/938341584109649920?

Pujara and Kohli were seen applauding Dhananjaya's century and the entire Sri Lankan threw tantrums and refused Kohli to score his triple ton.

That's the difference ✔#INDvSL

— Prajakta (@18prajakta) December 6, 2017

Lol, Sanjay Manjrekar says bowler deserves some credit for getting a wicket off a no-ball? The commentaries during this #INDvSL have been beyond ridiculous.

— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) December 6, 2017

When @RusselArnold69 pointed out that it was a no ball, Majrekar said "even if it's a no ball, it's Mathews' fault to edge that" fucking idiot. Had this been against Kohli, Manjrekar would habe weeped on air #INDvSL

— Waruna Tennakoon (@warunanc) December 6, 2017

Umpire couldn't see this no ball as smog air in Delhi…

(Mathews dismissal)#IndvSL #lka pic.twitter.com/fRrkPTLmtJ

— ACF (@VishuddikaSri) December 6, 2017