Second Test: Batsmen put India on top

Colombo, Aug 3:  Cheteshwar Pujara and Lokesh Rahul notched up half-centuries as India posted 238/3 at tea on the first day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club here on Thursday.

Pujara was batting on 89 while Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 41 when the teams went in at the break.

Pujara, who is appearing in the 50th Test of his career, has faced 140 balls fo far, with nine boundaries and a well-struck six off left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara over the mid-wicket fence.

Earlier, Rahul celebrated his comeback with a half-century. The left-handed opener made 57 runs off 82 runs with seven hits to the fence before falling shortly after lunch.

Dilruwan Perera notched up figures of 1/54 while fellow off-spinner Rangana Herath returned 1/66.

Brief scores:

India (first innings): 238/3 (Cheteshwar Pujara 89 batting, Lokesh Rahul 57; Dilruwan Perera 1/54, Rangana Herath 1/66) vs Sri Lanka.