Sehwag, Gambhir fire, India off to a strong start in Galle Test

Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir took the shine out of the new ball bowled by Sri Lankan pace bowlers and effectively negotiated the lethal spinners Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. Sehwag, in particular, was aggressive. He showed no mercy to Ajantha Mendis and Muralitharan. At lunch, India reached 151/0 with both openers completed their half centuries. Sehwag was batting on 91 off 82 balls, while Gambhir remained unbeaten on 50. This is the highest ever total in the first session on Day 1 in Galle.

Indian players look more determined and stubborn after the humiliating defeat in the first test match at Colombo. They are looking forward to avenge the defeat and salvage their lost pride. If India manages to score in excess of 500 runs in the first innings, they would be able to put pressure on Lankan batsmen.