KOLKATA: Bad light and rain halted India’s innings on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday with the hosts struggling on 17-2.
Put into bat after a long rain delay that washed away the first session at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, only 8.2 overs were bowled before fading light forced umpires to suspend play. Early tea was taken.
Cheteshwar Pujara, on eight and skipper Virat Kohli, who was yet to open his account, were batting after India suffered early blows on a green wicket.
Suranga Lakmal claimed Lokesh Rahul with the first ball of the match. The batsman edged a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.
The paceman then took Shikhar Dhawan for eight, after the left-hander dragged a moving delivery on his stumps.
Rain had been falling in Kolkata for two days before the match. It started raining again as the players left the field and ground staff covered the wicket.
Sri Lanka, who lost three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international in a home series against India from July to September, are searching for their first Test win in India.
