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Elgar ton steers South Africa into the lead in Centurion
Two late wickets notwithstanding, Dean Elgar’s maiden century at his home ground – Centurion – paved the way for South Africa’s dominant display with the bat on Wednesday. The hosts took an 11 run lead over India, with only five wickets down on a second-consecutive day which was abruptly cut short due to weather conditions – bad light being the reason on Day 2.
The day began on a fairly positive note for India, with KL Rahul adding valuable runs in the company of the last two batters en route to his century before getting cleaned up by Nandre Burger, handing the pacer his third wicket of the innings on debut. His innings helped the visitors to a fairly decent 245 on a challenging surface.
India made early inroads with Mohammed Siraj having Aiden Markram caught behind on 5. India’s new ball pair Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj bowled in tight channels with some help from the conditions, but couldn’t cause further damage. Elgar and Tony de Zorzi put up a resilient show in the morning session helping the hosts to Lunch at 49 for 1.
Elgar broke free soon after the Lunch break, quite unlike his conventional style of play, driving and pulling when the opportunities presented itself. It helped that the surface had flattened out a bit by then and lacked the bite that had troubled the batters for most parts of the match till then. It helped that Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna, the change bowlers, weren’t as disciplined with their lines and lengths.
Elgar and Zorzi added 93 runs for the second wicket before Jasprit Bumrah returned to his second spell and pegged SA back. He first had Zorzi outside-edging to slips and then Keegan Petersen inside-edging a ball on to his stumps in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 113 for 3. Elgar and David Bedingham took their time to settle in, but with the ball becoming older and softer, and the Indian pacers struggling to maintain tight channels, they had their opportunities to score quick runs.
Both took on the short balls, a ploy that didn’t work out for India. Debutant Bedingham in fact pulled a six each off Shardul and Prasidh en route to his half-century. Elgar also took his chances and brought up his 14th Test ton with a pull off Shardul for a boundary. It was his fourth fastest Test ton. The duo maintained the scoring rate and brought up their century stand soon after the Tea break, extending it to 131 runs before Bedingham was undone for pace by Siraj’s full delivery that knocked over his stumps.
India found another breakthrough soon after with Prasidh getting Verreynne to cut the ball to the ‘keeper. Even as the on-field umpire ruled it not out, the decision was reversed with a review. The debutant troubled the South African batters with his lengths late towards the day, but Elgar despite getting hit on his fingers managed to bat safely till bad light stopped play, and went to Stumps unbeaten on 140, in the company of Marco Jansen.
Brief scores:
South Africa 265/3 (Dean Elgar 140*, David Bedingham 56; Jasprit Bumrah 2-48, Mohammed Siraj 2-63) lead India 245 (KL Rahul 101, Virat Kohli 38; Kagiso Rabada 5/59, Nandre Burger 3/50) by 11 runs
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
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Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
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