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Galle: Sri Lanka would look to accelerate in the first two sessions on Monday to score a big total and put pressure on the Indians in the first Test here, captain Kumar Sangakkara said on Sunday.
Sri Lanka were in a strong position after scoring 256 for two on the first day today with centuries from Sangakkara (103) and Tharanga Paranavitana (110 batting) and the home team captain said they would need two more good sessions to pile up a big first innings total.
"All in all we had a good day today. We are looking to dominate in the first two sessions tomorrow and post a big total. If we do that we are going to put pressure on the Indians," Sangakkara said after the day's play.
He added it was a no brainer to elect to bat after winning the toss as the side which had done so won in the previous 4-5 matches at the Galle International Stadium here.
"The pitch was a bit soft (after rains). We discussed this before the match. But the side which elected to bat had won in the previous 4-5 matches, including against Pakistan and New Zealand," he reasoned. Sangakkara heaved praised on Tharanga Paranavitana for his maiden century.
"I am happy that I scored a century in the first Test of this series but Para (Paranavitana) batted fantastic and we had a big partnership," the home team captain said.
"Para has been performing well in the domestic circuit in the last four-five years and today''s century was a reward for his consistent performance. I knew he needed just one innings to start making an impact in the international scene. I hope he kickstarts his international career from here," he said.
Asked about Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement after this Test, Saangakkara said, "Well, we are going to miss him. There was a bit of turn on the wicket on the first day today. So we are hoping he would bow out with a fine performance."
