Pujara-Mishra partnership frustrated us, says Prasad

The pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, Dhammika Prasad said, though the 104-run association between Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra frustrated the hosts, they were confident of wrapping the remaining two wickets early in the opening session on Sunday.

“We had seven of their wickets for 180, then they had that 100-run stand. We were in the ascendancy, but with the century stand between them, we went down a little bit. But I think we can get the remaining wickets cheaply and regain a good position,” said Prasad during the post match press conference on Saturday.

Prasad said the wicket for this match was one of the best ones he has seen at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). “It’s really hot out there,” he said.

“From all the days, this was the hottest day. This wicket helps seamers. There’s grass on it. We expected that kind of wicket. You have to bowl good areas when you get seam friendly wickets. I’m enjoying that,” he added.

Bowling a brilliant spell in the morning, Prasad had both the overnight batsmen Pujara and Virat Kohli in a spot of bother.

While Pujara remained solid, he posed a lot of problem to Kohli who eventually succumbed to Angelo Mathews. But the bowler’s toil bore fruit when he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Stuart Binny off successive deliveries on either side of the lunch break.

“If you can send your best ball first up, that’s a great thing. Before the match, I bowled quite a bit on the side wicket, so I would be ready to take a wicket with the first ball itself. That might be a reason for success.”