The Sri Lankans are right on top at lunch on the 4th day. They are favourites to seal this contest. There was almost at least one appeal every over as the spinners bowled beautifully. Can India put up a miraculous show and steal the game from Sri Lanka’s bag? Rahane is batting extremely well and Ashwin, who has a two Test hundreds to his name, is no mug with the bat. However, life is not going to be easy, especially with the hosts on top of their game. 
Sri Lanka did not have a great beginning to the day as Lahiru Thirimanne dropped Ishant Sharma at second slip in the second over, but Rangana Herath removed him with his very first ball of the day by trapping him plumb in front. Soon Herath bowled a lovely offie from round the wicket to castleRohit Sharma – the ball pitched on middle and off, spun and hit the top of off. Shikhar Dhawan, who was batting with a swollen right hand, was very sedate and managed to score his first runs of the day after 52 minutes and that too off an inside edge which almost knocked him over. India were reduced to 45/4 in a while, thanks to a sharp catch by Kaushal Silva at short leg when Virat Kohliinside-edged Tharindu Kaushal onto pad.
Kaushal then found the leading edge of Dhawan and took a very good return catch. Wriddhiman Saha too didn’t last long as he overbalanced to a Herath delivery and was dismissed stumped. With batsmen just defending, Harbhajan Singh’s inside edge was caught brilliantly by short leg again and that gave Herath his 22nd five-wicket haul in Tests. Strangely though, Harbhajan was disappointed with the decision and almost unwillingly dragged himself off the field – maybe he didn’t feel the inside edge. Ravichandran Ashwin then joined Ajinkya Rahane at the crease and the duo survived a few close moments before the umpires called lunch. It has to be said that Rahane was the only top-order batsman, who showed great application in difficult circumstances.
What a morning session for Sri Lanka. They’ve been simply ruthless and it also has to be said that the Indian batsmen hardly showed any intention to unsettle them. The pitch isn’t misbehaving a lot, remember this is Day 4 and not Day 5, yes the spinners are getting enough purchase but most of the Indian batsmen missed the trick of using their feet and probably negating a bit of turn. Anyway, credit to Angelo Mathews and Co. for playing some exceptional cricket. Mathews’ captaincy was also good as he was looking for wickets with fielders around the bat all the time.
At lunch, the Sri Lankans are very happy and patting each other. It has been a dream session for them. Herath is leading them off the field. Rahane and Ashwin walk off too
