GALLE: Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit back after lunch to take four wickets to leave India on 304 for six at tea on day two of the first Test in Galle.

The hosts’ bowlers had toiled in the morning session without any luck, but had things going their way in the afternoon session as off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal and seamer Nuwan Pradeep picked up two wickets apiece.

Virat Kohli reached his 11th Test century with an elegant drive off Tharindu Kaushal for four and in the same over was ruled leg before wicket when he attempted sweep shot and missed. Kohli’s 103 came off 181 deliveries with 11 fours.

The Indian captain’s dismissal ended a 227 stand between him and opener Shikhar Dhawan.

In his next over, Kaushal had Ajinkya Rahane leg before wicket without scoring to slow India’s progress and then Pradeep struck twice with the second new ball to bring Sri Lanka back into the game.

Dhawan had been dropped on 28 and 122 and finally his luck ran out when he inside edged a Pradeep delivery onto the stumps. He made 134 off 271 deliveries with 13 fours.

Pradeep then bowled Ravichandran Ashwin through the gate to leave India on 302 for six.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews was off the field for the entire morning session due to flue. He was back on the field after lunch.

Despite picking up two wickets, Kaushal was expensive as India scored nearly five runs an over off him. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, meanwhile, bowled a tidy line despite not picking up a wicket. India managed just 54 runs off his 27 overs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 183 runs in their first innings after electing to bat first as off-spinner Ashwin picked up six for 46.