Update: 2:40pm IST: That's it for the day. The play has been called-off as it has continued to pour down in Kolkata.
IND 75 for 5 in 32.5 overs.
That's all folks. No more play possible due to the rains here in Kolkata. #TeamIndia 74/5 at the end of Day 2 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/DvDaQQMyYt
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017
While only 11.5 overs were managed yesterday, Sri Lanka could bowl 21 on Friday, November 17. Dasun Shanaka was the star of the day with the ball as he removed Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin in quick sucession in the morning session.
Desptie all the stoppage and bowler-friendly conditions, Cheteshwar Pujara has stood tall, making a patient, unbeaten 47.
at the Eden Gardens...
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 17, 2017
1st day: India 17/3 in 62 mins in 11.5 overs
2nd day: India 57/2 in 104 mins in 21.0 overs#IndvSL
However, the forecast is better for tomorrow.
1:05pm IST: Rain has stopped in Kolakta. However, there is a lot of water on the covers. The groundsmen are attending to it, but it will take a bit of time to get the ground ready, provided it does not start drizzling again.
12:25pm IST: For those of you who have been wondering why play has not resumed after lunch, here's a photo from BCCI.
Under wraps the Eden Gardens post lunch #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/fxS8MZuW5a
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017
11:30am IST: Lunch taken early at the Eden Gardens. Meanwhile, the rain has intensified as well.
11:06am IST: RAIN BREAK! It's raining in Kolkata and the players have quicky left the field. The entire ground is being covered now.
IND 74/5 in 32.5 overs.
Cheteshwar Pujara has been putting on a batting masterclass on difficult conditions at the Eden Gardens. The right-handed batsman (47*) was appluaded by Ravi Shastri and co. as he entered the dressing room.
10:27am IST: OUT! Dasun Shanaka has his second wicket. R Ashwin hits one straight into the point fielder's hands. Except Cheteshwar Pujara, who is batting on 29, no other Indian batsmen is showing patience on what seems to be extremely difficult conditions to bat on.
IND 50 for 5 in 26 overs.
9:42am IST: OUT! Medium pacer Dasun Shanaka joins the party, gets one to move away from Ajinkya Rahane, who is tempted to play across the line. A faint edge and the wicketkeeper does no mistake.
IND 30/4 in 17.2 overs.
R Ashwin has joined Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle. India need to play straight and not give the bowlers any chances on the green top.
8:55am IST: The sun is out in Kolkata and there will be an early start (9:15am) on Friday, November 17.
Pitch report
A little bit of grass has been shaved off, but there will be plenty on offer for the bowlers on an overcast day in Kolkata.
"The pitch hasn't changed much but the grass has been shaved off a little. If the bowlers bowl a proper length, the batsmen will be in trouble. You have to be on the front foot as much as possible. Tough work for the Indian batsmen," say Sunil Gavaskar and Simon Doull at the pitch report.
Day 2 of the 1st Test - Hours of play #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/cxtNr4ev1m
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2017
Despite only 11.5 overs bowled on the rain-affected first day, it is safe to say Sri Lanka have an upper hand over the hosts in the ongoing Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Pacer Suranga Lakmal did all the damage on Thursday in his six-over spell, in which he did not concede a run.
The onus to rebuild falls on two of the most dependable Test batsmen in the team - Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. India need to see off the early morning session if they are to post a competitive first innings total on board.
However, the Sri Lanka pacers will be raring to have a go at the Indian batsmen once again, given the green top and the overcast conditions in Kolkata.
Day 1 Recap
Pacer Suranga Lakmal took three wickets to shave off India's top order and reduce them to 17/3 at stumps on a heavily rain-truncated opening day of the first cricket Test at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
Play was stopped for three and a half hours after light drizzle, coupled with wet outfield, forced covers to remain on the field throughout the morning. After a delayed toss, the proceedings had to be halted thrice due to bad light.
Of the 11.5 overs bowled over 60 minutes of play that was possible, the tourists had the hosts on the mat from the word go. At stumps, which was called early due to bad light, India were reeling at 17/3.
Lakmal (3/0) accounted for opener Lokesh Rahul (0) on the very first delivery, also taking the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (8 off 11 balls) and captain Virat Kohli (0 off 11 balls) in a spell of devastating swing bowling courtesy the seam-friendly wicket. (IANS inputs)