Third Test : Murli Vijay slams century, Kohli at 94 ; India 245/2 at tea
New Delhi, Dec 2 (IBNS) : A fine knock of unbeaten 101 by opener Murli Vijay and a quickfire 94, batting by skipper Virat Kohli took India to 245 for two at tea as the hosts steadied their first innings on way to a big mark on the opening day of the third test match against Sri Lanka at the Firoz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi on Saturday.
Vijay and Kohli rattled up an unbroken partnership of 167 runs in the third wicket.
While Vijay's patient innings off 170 balls was embellished with nine boundaries, Kohli, who played 101 balls so far, was more aggressive, hitting 14 boundaries.
Earlier, Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, who returned to the team in place of Lokesh Rahul, gave India a brisk start, but Perera, who came in early as a spinner, struck in his second over to send Dhawan to the pavilion for 23.
Off-spinner Perera became the fastest Sri Lankan to 100 wickets in his 25th Test surpassing the feat of spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who reached the landmark in 27 matches.
Cheteshwar Pujara was the second casualty as he was caught at leg slip for 23 off pacer Lahiru Gamage scoring 23.
Vijay reached his 16th Test fifty with a boundary off fast bowler Suranga Lakmal.
After that Kohli raced to the 50-mark and went on plundering heading for a bigger score.
At the end of the 42nd overs, Kohli and Vijay made an unbroken partnership of 107 runs.
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