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India in the box seat after 23-wicket day
If the Centurion Test was a quick finish, the Cape Town encounter looks primed for a much shorter span as India took control of the opening day which saw 23 wickets fall on a mean and spicy pitch. Mohammed Siraj’s sensational spell of seam bowling (6-15) was the clear showstopper as the pacer picked all his wickets in his opening nine-over burst to send South Africa crashing to 55 all out in the opening session.
Dean Elgar opted to bat, perhaps expecting to surface to worsen as the game went on, but things couldn’t have been more disastrous for his side from the get-go. Siraj began with a beauty to dismantle Aiden Markram before getting Elgar to chop one on to the stumps. With extravagant seam movement and variable bounce on offer, batting was a lottery whenever the pacers hit the right lengths. Unfortunately for South Africa, the frequency of India’s bowlers led by Siraj getting it right was far too often and the hosts had no answers. Only two batters got to double figures in what was a sorry batting display from the Proteas. Siraj was unplayable for most parts.
With the pitch playing all sorts of tricks, India sensed the need to bat with high intent, given that survival was a game of chance. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both got away to quick starts after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal but neither batter could go on to bigger things. Or perhaps, that was just the nature of the pitch as it was the kind of track where a batter could never feel set at the crease.
Virat Kohli started off in streaky fashion but soon found his groove with some noteworthy shots with a ravishing pull against Kagiso Rabada being the pick of the lot. While the scoring rate was good, South Africa stayed in the hunt during the second session thanks to Nandre Burger who bowled his heart out to strike thrice. Those breakthroughs ensured that India weren’t running away with the game. However, the most freak phase of the day was yet to come.
At the end of 33 overs, India were 153/4 with Kohli set and KL Rahul trying to dig in. The lead was inching towards 100 and on this pitch, it was a position of immense strength. Just 11 deliveries later, India were bowled out without a single run added thereafter. It was the most unreal passages of play you’d see and it started with Lungi Ngidi’s triple-wicket maiden.
The pacer had bowled way below his best for a major part of the innings but sprung to life with a magical spell (3-30) to stun India. Kagiso Rabada (3-38) followed it up in the next over to send India packing for 153. Both pacers pounded away on that hard length and got extra bounce to leave India’s batters in strife. Even with the incredible nature of South Africa’s first innings performance, this implosion from India was astounding.
Nevertheless, the lead of 98 meant a mountain to climb for South Africa on this increasingly challenging deck. Elgar and Markram started off steadily but the former’s dismissal allowed India to add a couple more strikes late in the day. Mukesh Kumar excelled for the visitors while Jasprit Bumrah was his usual menacing self.
With a deficit of 36 runs and seven wickets left, South Africa will hope for a stronger effort from the remaining batters. Four full days remain and it’ll be interesting to see if the game will stretch into day three.
Brief scores:
South Africa 55 in 23.2 overs (Kyle Verreynne 15; Mohammed Siraj 6-15, Jasprit Bumrah 2-25, Mukesh Kumar 2-00) and 62/3 in 17 overs (Aiden Markram 36*; Mukesh Kumar 2-25) trail India 153 in 34.5 overs (Virat Kohli 46, Rohit Sharma 39, Shubman Gill 36; Lungi Ngidi 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 3-38, Nandre Burger 3-42) by 36 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]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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