Rishabh Pant scores a solid 96; India end Day 1 with 357/6

Rishabh Pant possessed stole the limelight in Virat Kohli’s milestone 100th Test, pounding Sri Lankan bowlers with an enchanting 96 as the hosts arrived at 357 for 6 on the first day of the two-match Test series here in Mohali.

The spectators who had come to watch Kohli perform on a great stage, saw one of the most ostentatious batter make a joke of the Sri Lankan bowling attack.He was particularly merciless when it came to pursuing left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (28-2-107-2).

The haunting silence after Virat Kohli’s exit for 45 runs was later turned on by Rishabh Pant’s knock that made the spectators stand up and applaud.

What’s more the individuals who came for Kohli, chose to remain back and relish Pant’s anarchy as he began with a mark hurled six off Embuldeniya over mid-wicket.

Embuldeniya, who more likely than not felt encouraged when he moved one to dismiss a shade and stimulate Kohli’s off-stump, didn’t have the foggiest idea what was going to come at him.

Rishabh Pant almost arrived at his fifth hundred in Test cricket before Suranga Lakmal dismissed him.

There were nine fours and four sixes in his 97-ball knock and one couldn’t however feel for the youngster who looked totally crushed after one more close miss, the fifth time that he has got out during the 90s.

India end Day 1 on 157/6

Ravichandran Ashwin: 10(11)

Ravindra Jadeja: 45(82)