Persistent rain forced the play on the second day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka being called off with the hosts finishing at 74/5 on Friday at the Eden Gardens. 

The light drizzle that forced an early lunch 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, intensified as the day progressed with the entire park being wrapped under covers.

The conditions at the Eden Gardens continued to be a fast bowler’s dream as Sri Lanka punched two more holes in the Indian batting order with the important scalps of Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin in yet another rain-affected morning session. 

Before the play was abandoned, Cheteshwar Pujara was waging a lone battle, batting on 47* along with Wriddhiman Saha (6*). The duo was steadying the innings which had wobbled after Dasun Shanaka struck twice reducing the hosts to 50/5.

Pujara underlined his importance with a cautious and intelligent knock from which the likes of Rahane and Ashwin could’ve taken some lessons. Both fell while playing lose shots - Rahane prodding at a delivery that was outside off and moved enough to kiss the outside edge and nestle in to the hands of the wicketkeeper. 

Ashwin (4) copped a blow to his thumb, off Lahiru Gamage and responded with an uppish drive an over later that went in to the hands of the backward point fielder for a regulation catch.

Pujara, calm and serene, was handing a timely lesson how to build an innings on a difficult track and adverse conditions. Suranga Lakmal, the wrecker-in-chief on the curtailed opening day, continued to bowl a probing spell before Rahane broke his run of seven straight maidens with an edgy boundary to get off the mark. 

On the other hand, Pujara played close to his body, almost intuitively avoiding anything that moved away after being pitched in the vicinity of good length region.

Source: Time Of India