India vs Lanka 2nd Test Day 5: Ashwin spoils Sangakkara's farewell

India spoiled Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara's farewell party with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowling the visitors to a series-levelling 278-run victory in the second Test on Monday.

Ashwin (5-42) and his spin colleague Amit Mishra (3-29) ran through the Sri Lankan batting order as the hosts, chasing 413 for an improbable victory, collapsed to 134 all out in their second innings.

Resuming on 72-2, Sri Lanka lost skipper Angelo Mathews to the first ball of the day, a setback that completely unhinged them and they collapsed soon after to give Virat Kohli his first Test victory as India captain.

"A commendable effort by the boys, coming together nicely after that kind of loss (at Galle), regrouping very quickly and putting a performance like this," Kohli said after the victory.

"We were pumped up to get wickets and we got a perfect start. From there on, the bowlers realised it's time to squeeze in now and build up some really good pressure," he added.

Sri Lanka's day begun in the worst possible fashion when India paceman Umesh Yadav struck with the first ball of the morning which Mathews (23) edged for stand-in wicketkeeper Lokesh Rahul to take a diving, one-handed catch.

Rahul was keeping in place of regular India stumper Wriddhiman Saha, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a hamstring injury.

Mishra struck the next blow, pulling off a classical leg-spinner's dismissal by bowling Dinesh Chandimal around his legs.

Ashwin and Mishra maintained relentless pressure on the hosts to reduce them to 130-9 when rain brought a premature lunch, but the relief proved short lived as the hosts folded soon after the break.

"We did not play our best cricket," Mathews rued at the presentation ceremony.

"More disappointing is we could not do it for Sanga, who deserved to leave the field with a high and a win. We promise him we will play our best in the next game and win it for him."

Rahul, who struck a century in the first innings, was adjudged man of the match.

Ashwin has been equally impressive and with 17 wickets from the first two Tests, he is likely to trouble Sri Lanka again in the third and final Test in Colombo starting on Friday.

Sangakkara, who made 32 and 18 in his 134th and final Test, was given a rousing reception with the Indians shaking hands with him and the former captain being hoisted by his team mates for a round of the stadium as the crowd gave a standing ovation.

India have won the second Test by 278 runs to level the three-match series 1-1 after bundling out Sri Lanka for 134 in the second innings shortly after lunch.

Ashwin claims five for 42 and Mishra three for 29.

Chameera is the last man out as Sri Lanka are all out for 134 in 43.4 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera lbw b Mishra 4 (5b 1x4 0x6)

Heavy rain has forced the players of the field with Sri Lanka 130-9 in 42.3 overs just before lunch.

India just need one more wicket as Kaushal departs. SL 128-9, 41.5 overs.

Tharindu Kaushal lbw b Mishra 5 (12b 1x4 0x6)

Ashwin claims his fifth win as opener Karunaratne falls. SL 123-4, 38.4 overs.

Dimuth Karunaratne b Ashwin 46 (103b 6x4 0x6)

Ashwin picks up another one as Prasad holes out to Mishra. SL 114-7, 36.4 overs.

Dhammika Prasad c Mishra b Ashwin 0 (4b 0x4 0x6) 

Sri Lanka are crumbling in a heap with Mubarak departing for a duck edging to second slip. SL 111-6, 35.4 overs.

Jehan Mubarak c Kohli b I Sharma 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Ashwin strikes in the first over after the drinks break with substitute Pujara snapping up a bat-pad catch. SL 106-5, 35 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne c sub (CA Pujara) b Ashwin 11 (26b 0x4 1x6)

Thirimanne gets off the mark by stepping out and clobbering Mishra over long on for a huge six. SL 100-4.

Bowling change does the trick as Mishra attempts to sweep the leg spinner and is bowled around his legs. SL 91-4, 27.2 overs.

Dinesh Chandimal b Mishra 15 (30b 1x4 1x6)

Chandimal hooks a bouncer from Ishant over square leg for a six. SL 82-3.

Horror start for Sri Lanka as skipper Mathews departs first ball edging Yadav with Rahul taking a diving catch. SL 72-3, 21.1 overs.

Angelo Mathews c Rahul b Yadav 23 (39b 3x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka, set a victory target of 413, were 72-2 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day of the second Test against India in Colombo on Sunday.

Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 25 and skipper Angelo Mathews was 23 not out, after the dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara for 18 in his last Test innings had reduced the hosts to 33-2.

India declared their second innings on 325-8 after tea, with Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 126 and Murali Vijay making 82.

Off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal and seamer Dhammika Prasad claimed four wickets each.

Sri Lanka lead the three-match series, having won the first Test in Galle by 63 runs.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.