On Day 1 of the 2nd Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal starred for the hosts, providing solid resistance against the visitors' bowling at the Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka's skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva, won the toss and opted to bat first, seeking to redeem the team after their innings defeat by 242 runs in the previous Test. Veteran opener Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final match, was joined by returning opener Dinesh Chandimal as they aimed to build a substantial total.
Despite Pathum Nissanka's early dismissal, trapped LBW by Nathan Lyon's spinning delivery, the experienced pair of Karunaratne and Chandimal ensured no subsequent wickets fell before the Lunch break, steering the hosts to 87 for one.
Karunaratne appeared steadfast, demonstrating solid technique and determination, which allowed the team to recover from their early loss. Ending the session unbeaten on 34 runs, he formed an undefeated partnership worth 64 runs with Chandimal, who was slightly more aggressive, accumulating 35 runs during the same timeframe.
Chandimal’s approach involved using his feet effectively against the spinners, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Australia, having selected eight bowling options but only three frontline bowlers, seemed to be at a disadvantage as they struggled to contain the innings’ momentum following Nissanka's fall.
Although the Australian bowlers, especially Lyon, found some turn initially, it wasn’t enough to capitalize on the early advantage they sought. The Sri Lankan batsmen, learning from their previous outing, played cautiously without taking unnecessary risks. Instead of deploying sweeps, they focused on forward defenses, driving the play from the crease.
Throughout the session, visible cracks appeared on the pitch, which Australia had hoped would favor their spin attack, but with Karunaratne solid at the crease, their strategy seemed flawed. The conditions shifted favorably for Sri Lanka as they settled down amid strategic bowling changes by Australian captain Steven Smith.
After 30 overs, the game shifted with the introduction of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, yet it was again Lyon who momentarily threatened before lunch.
The pair managed to retain their wickets as they continued building momentum for the innings, showcasing remarkable patience and skill. Chandimal's singles pushed Sri Lanka toward stability as they maneuvered through the session, with confidence building as they stood firm at 87 for one at the lunch interval.
Briefly summarizing the scores at the lunch break, Sri Lanka stood at 87 for 1, with Chandimal at 35 not out and Karunaratne at 34 not out, which marked a promising beginning for the host nation. The challenge was clear; the pair needed to balance aggression with caution as the innings progressed.
With Australia struggling to find the breakthroughs, the success of Sri Lanka's batting endeavours became increasingly apparent, establishing the groundwork for potentially overcoming their previous Test woes. Australia would need to reassess their strategy quickly to halt the Sri Lankan onslaught.