Sri Lanka v India, 2015-16

At Colombo (PSO), August 20-24, 2015. India won by 278 runs. Toss: India.
Kumar Sangakkara's final international appearance confirmed the suspicion that sport and fairy tale finishes rarely coincide. His 134th Test delivered neither personal glory nor collective success as India came roaring back to square the series. At Galle, he had struggled to come to terms with Ashwin, who now accounted for him in both innings with turning, bouncing deliveries which he could only prod to slip.

India celebrated Kohli's first win as Test captain, and their first in ten Tests since shocking England at Lord's more than a year earlier.After Kohli had won the toss, Vijay's comeback innings lasted just four deliveries before he was trapped by Prasad, who quickly accounted for Rahane, pushed up to No. 3.But, from 12 for two, Kohli joined Rahul in a stand of 164 that tipped the balance India'sway. Rahul made the most of being dropped on 11 by Mubarak at gully, reaching his second century in his fourth Test, while Kohli and Rohit Sharma, happier in the middle order, both hit seventies, and Saha another fifty.Despite losing Karunaratne early again, Sri Lanka held firm, countering Ashwin's threat with greater confidence on a surface providing little assistance to the spinners.

Silva contributed a gritty half-century, but the real thrust came from a wonderful hundred by Mathews, who added 127 for the fourth wicket with Thirimanne. Mathews eventually became a prize maiden Test wicket for Binny, who had toiled without reward for three matches in England in 2014, but was now preferred to Harbhajan Singh.

Thirimanne's dismissal for 62, adjudged caught behind off Ishant Sharma, gave India an opening, before Ashwin and Mishra swept through the lower order as Sri Lanka lost their last seven for just 65. Sharma's send-offs to Thirimanne and Chandimal earned the disapproval of match referee Andy Pycroft, who docked him 65% of his fee; Thirimanne lost 30% of his for showing surprise at Bruce Oxenford's decision.India built on their lead of 87 thanks to Rahane's polished 126 and his alliance of 140 for the second wicket with Vijay.

But the innings had its distractions: Saha retired hurt with a painful hamstring (meaning Rahul stood in as wicket keeper in the second innings,and Naman Ojha was called up for the last Test); and, on the fourth day, reserve umpire Ranmore Martinesz asked a traditional papareb and in the stands to stop playing during overs, so his on-field colleagues could stand a better chance of judging bat-pad decisions.By the time Kohli declared, 412 ahead, Sri Lanka needed to score more than they ever had in the fourth innings to win. Their recent batting travails suggested it would be beyond them, and they were rolled over for 134. Ashwin did the early damage on his way to a third five-for in three Tests, and Mishra's googly bamboozled the tail. The P. Sara Oval,the venue of both Sri Lanka's inaugural Test and their first win, was swamped by a sea ofwell-wishers, among them the president and prime minister, eager to say goodbye to an emotional Sangakkara. It was a bittersweet farewell.
Man of the Match:K. L. Rahul.