Sri Lanka clawed their way back twice on the first day of the Mohali Test, picking two wickets in each session despite India's free-scoring otherwise.

Having won the toss, Rohit Sharma opted to bat in his first match as Test captain. The pitch had an even covering of grass through the middle, with bare patches on the fuller length. Sri Lanka's pacers, however, could not make the best use of the conditions early on with the new ball. Both Suranga Lakmal and Visha Fernando found some movement but were wayward in lengths allowing the openers to start freely. Rohit and Mayank Agarwal drove with ease and brought up a half-century stand in quick time.

They were looking to up the ante even further when Lahiru Kumara challenged Rohit with a flurry of short-pitched balls. Rohit pulled a couple of them for boundaries through midwicket, but the third was directed straighter. And Rohit only managed to pull it straight into the hands of fine leg, falling for 29 off 28.