Shah Rukh Khan is all set to make his Tamil debut. According to media reports, the actor will be playing the antagonist in director Atlee Kumar's film 'Thalapathy 63' which stars superstar Vijay as the protagonist.&nbsp;

Earlier reports had suggested that SRK would be making a cameo appearance but sources close to the film have now revealed that the actor plays a negative character in the film. Speaking to an entertainment website, the source said, "SRK has a prominent character that he's playing in 'Thalapathy 63'. It's not like his other cameos. In fact, he is the main villain who comes in the picture only towards the climax. He has a good 15 minutes odd role, fighting Vijay. The makers wanted a leading face from the Hindi film industry to shoot for the role and when Atlee approached Shah Rukh for it, he agreed on principle to do it."

The film will mark SRK's debut in Tamil cinema. The makers are yet to zero in on the location as they are still trying to figure out the logistics. SRK's part will reportedly be shot over a period of 2-4 days.&nbsp;

Rumours of Shah Rukh making his Tamil debut started doing the rounds when the actor was spotted watching an IPL match with director Atlee Kumar at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.&nbsp;

Rumours also have it that SRK will soon star in the Hindi remake of 'Mersal', which will be helmed by Atlee who also directed the original film.

Shah Rukh Khan is all set to make his Tamil debut. According to media reports, the actor will be playing the antagonist in director Atlee Kumar's film 'Thalapathy 63' which stars superstar Vijay as the protagonist.

Shah Rukh Khan is all set to make his Tamil debut. According to media reports, the actor will be playing the antagonist in director Atlee Kumar's film 'Thalapathy 63' which stars superstar Vijay as the protagonist. Earlier reports had suggested that SRK would be making a cameo appearance but sources close to the film have now revealed that the actor plays a negative character in the film. Speaking to an entertainment website, the source said, "SRK has a prominent character that he's playing in 'Thalapathy 63'. It's not like his other cameos. In fact, he is the main villain who comes in the picture only towards the climax. He has a good 15 minutes odd role, fighting Vijay. The makers wanted a leading face from the Hindi film industry to shoot for the role and when Atlee approached Shah Rukh for it, he agreed on principle to do it." The film will mark SRK's debut in Tamil cinema. The makers are yet to zero in on the location as they are still trying to figure out the logistics. SRK's part will reportedly be shot over a period of 2-4 days. Rumours of Shah Rukh making his Tamil debut started doing the rounds when the actor was spotted watching an IPL match with director Atlee Kumar at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk. Rumours also have it that SRK will soon star in the Hindi remake of 'Mersal', which will be helmed by Atlee who also directed the original film.

Shah Rukh Khan to make his Tamil debut in Vijay starrer 'Thalapathy 63'?

As protest around Vijay's new film 'Sarkar' grew in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the film's director AR Murugadoss on Friday moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court will hear the matter later in the day. 
 
A political thriller, `Sarkar` <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vijay-starrer-sarkar-faces-protest-from-aiadmk-over-references-to-jayalalithaa-176260">has run into trouble over some scenes</a> that allegedly criticise the previous Tamil Nadu government led by the late J Jayalalithaa. 
 
On Thursday, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) workers tore the posters of the movie in Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai.&nbsp; 
 
The protestors demanded the removal of certain scenes from the movie.The agitated protestors also vandalized theatres where the movie was being screened. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vijays-sarkar-topples-prabhas-baahubali-as-it-enters-rs-100-crore-in-just-two-days-176374">Also read:&nbsp;Vijay's 'Sarkar' topples Prabhas' 'Baahubali' as it enters Rs 100 crore in just two days</a> 
 
Tamil Nadu Law minister C.V. Shanmugam has also condemned Vijay`s recent release for allegedly attempting to instigate violence and also said that it is not less than a terrorist instigating people for violence. 
 
The film, which released on November 7, minted over Rs. 100 crores within two days of its opening.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

As protest around Vijay's new film 'Sarkar' grew in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the film's director AR Murugadoss on Friday moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

As protest around Vijay's new film 'Sarkar' grew in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the film's director AR Murugadoss on Friday moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court will hear the matter later in the day. A political thriller, `Sarkar` has run into trouble over some scenes that allegedly criticise the previous Tamil Nadu government led by the late J Jayalalithaa. On Thursday, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) workers tore the posters of the movie in Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai. The protestors demanded the removal of certain scenes from the movie.The agitated protestors also vandalized theatres where the movie was being screened. Also read: Vijay's 'Sarkar' topples Prabhas' 'Baahubali' as it enters Rs 100 crore in just two days Tamil Nadu Law minister C.V. Shanmugam has also condemned Vijay`s recent release for allegedly attempting to instigate violence and also said that it is not less than a terrorist instigating people for violence. The film, which released on November 7, minted over Rs. 100 crores within two days of its opening. (With ANI inputs)

'Sarkar' director AR Murugadoss applies for anticipatory bail

Another South Indian film might shake up the box office, as Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Sarkar’ has already set a new record by entering Rs 100 crore club in just two days. ‘Sarkar’ beat ‘Baahubali’ that took the nation by a storm.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
‘Sarkar’ beat ‘Baahubali 2’s opening day collections and even the second-day collections at the box office in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It is expected that ‘Sarkar’ will even cross Rs 200 crores by the end of this weekend. Both critics and fans have praised the film and despite the plagiarism row that the film was clouded under, it has managed to stay relevant.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
‘Sarkar’ also marks Vijay’s entry to politics, according to several media reports.&nbsp;The film is based on electoral fraud and counterfeit voting. It has collected more than Rs 30 crores on day 1 in Tamil Nadu whereas ‘Baahubali 2’ opened to Rs 19 crores in the state.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the film turned political when the ruling&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vijay-starrer-sarkar-faces-protest-from-aiadmk-over-references-to-jayalalithaa-176260">AIADMK came up in arms </a>against the film for its reported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The party also has alleged that the film depicts certain government schemes in a bad light.&nbsp;Senior AIADMK ministers demanded that the contentious scenes be deleted, and threatened to initiate legal action if the latter failed to comply.&nbsp;

Another South Indian film might shake up the box office, as Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Sarkar’ has already set a new record by entering Rs 100 crore club in just two days.

Another South Indian film might shake up the box office, as Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Sarkar’ has already set a new record by entering Rs 100 crore club in just two days. ‘Sarkar’ beat ‘Baahubali’ that took the nation by a storm. ‘Sarkar’ beat ‘Baahubali 2’s opening day collections and even the second-day collections at the box office in Tamil Nadu. It is expected that ‘Sarkar’ will even cross Rs 200 crores by the end of this weekend. Both critics and fans have praised the film and despite the plagiarism row that the film was clouded under, it has managed to stay relevant. ‘Sarkar’ also marks Vijay’s entry to politics, according to several media reports. The film is based on electoral fraud and counterfeit voting. It has collected more than Rs 30 crores on day 1 in Tamil Nadu whereas ‘Baahubali 2’ opened to Rs 19 crores in the state. Meanwhile, the film turned political when the ruling AIADMK came up in arms against the film for its reported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The party also has alleged that the film depicts certain government schemes in a bad light. Senior AIADMK ministers demanded that the contentious scenes be deleted, and threatened to initiate legal action if the latter failed to comply.

Vijay's 'Sarkar' topples Prabhas' 'Baahubali' as it enters Rs 100 crore in just two days

Tamil star Vijay's film 'Sarkar' has just hit the theatres and has already landed itself in controversy. The ruling AIADMK is up in arms against the film for its reported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. 
 
The party also has alleged that the film depicts certain government schemes in bad light. 
 
Senior AIADMK ministers demanded that the contentious scenes be deleted, and threatened to initiate legal action if the latter failed to comply. 
 
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar wanted to know why certain references deemed to be that to the late Jayalalithaa had found their way into the script. 
 
However, rebel AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran claimed Jayalalithaa was never addressed by the name mentioned in the film but charged commercial intent behind showing the AIADMK's 'freebies' in bad light.

Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham said certain scenes amounted to inciting violence and warned of action. 
 
"The scenes relating to burning of items disbursed under government welfare schemes amount to inciting violence. Whether it is the producer (Sun Pictures) or actor (Vijay), or theatres-- they will have to face action," he told reporters. 
 
Meanwhile, DMK leader Pazha.Karuppiah, who has played the antagonist's role in the film, wanted to know how scenes of a movie could be deleted after the Censor Board had cleared it. 
 
Reports suggested that certain scenes show grinder, mixers and fans being burnt, seen as an obvious reference to the late Jayalalithaa's flagship schemes of providing these items free of cost, in line with an electoral promise in 2011. 
 
AIADMK workers staged a protest outside a theatre in Madurai demanding that certain scenes be removed. A show was also cancelled. Workers said they would not allow the film to be screened till "derogatory" scenes and dialogues were removed, the police said. 
 
At some movie halls in Coimbatore and Chennai, banners of the film and that of Vijay were damaged allegedly by AIADMK supporters. Some AIADMK workers staged a sit-in at a theatre in Coimbatore seeking a ban on the film. 
 
On a character whose name has purported reference to Jayalalithaa, Jayakumar said it was an attempt at "maligning" the late party chief and sought legal action against the crew. 
 
He also wondered if the filmmakers could have come up with such a flick when Jayalalithaa was alive and said her death has "emboldened" them. 
 
"If they (Vijay) had spelt out their policies, ideology and if the movie is reflective of that, it is fine. But in order to project themselves, to trample over others' sentiments and hurting them, that is not acceptable," he said. 
 
Referring to the films of matinee idol and AIADMK founder, former chief minister M G Ramachandran, Jayakumar said the late leader's films never carried such content. 
In an apparent reference to MGR's elevation from a film star to chief minister, he said "not all can become MGR." 
 
Lashing out at Vijay, Information Minister Kadambur C Raju said "This is not good for a growing actor like Vijay." 
 
"The matter has come to the government's notice. We will advise them to remove the scenes. If they do it themselves it's fine, otherwise, we will decide the next course of action," he said. 
 
Meanwhile, Dhinakaran lashed out at the 'Sarkar' team, saying there was commercial intent behind the controversies. 
 
He, however, denied that a particular woman character's name had reference to Jayalalithaa. 
 
"Komalavalli (the character's name) is not Amma's name at all. In 2002-03 when a Congressman referred to her by this name, Amma herself said this was not her name and that she had not even done any such film role," he said. 
 
However, the film was produced with "commercial intent and they have to do something" to make it a success, he added. 
 
"You know who the producers are," he said, in an apparent referrence to Sun Pictures, owned by the Maran brothers of the DMK's extended first family. 
 
"I was told that the free grinder, mixie are burnt. If they had burnt free colour TV also we can say that there is a sense of objectivity," he added. 
 
Late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's poll-time promise of providing free colour TVs to every household if elected to power in the 2006 Assembly polls had significantly helped the party win the polls then. 
 
Dhinakaran also ridiculed the Ministers for "just giving publicity" for the multi-crore venture. 
 
Meanwhile, actor-politician Karuppiah, a former AIADMK MLA who switched over to DMK, seemed to see no reason behind the demand for removal of the contentious scenes, saying it was released only after being cleared by the Censor Board. 
 
He claimed some of his dialogues referring to Karunanidhi had been "muted." 
 
Recalling BJP's opposition to Vijay's 2017 movie 'Mersal', he said the party had made the film a grand success and that the AIADMK was now going to do the same for 'Sarkar.' 
 
'Sarkar,' produced by Sun Pictures stars Vijay and Keerthi Suresh in key roles. It is directed by AR Murugadoss and has music by Oscar winner AR Rahman.The film had earlier courted a pre-release controversy over plagiarism. 
 
An aspiring filmmaker claimed that the film's story was his, following which Murugadoss went in for a compromise with the claimant. 
 
Incidentally, 'Mersal' had seen BJP protesting over certain "incorrect" references to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).&nbsp;

Tamil star Vijay's film 'Sarkar' has just hit the theatres and has already landed itself in controversy. The ruling AIADMK is up in arms against the film for its reported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Tamil star Vijay's film 'Sarkar' has just hit the theatres and has already landed itself in controversy. The ruling AIADMK is up in arms against the film for its reported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The party also has alleged that the film depicts certain government schemes in bad light. Senior AIADMK ministers demanded that the contentious scenes be deleted, and threatened to initiate legal action if the latter failed to comply. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar wanted to know why certain references deemed to be that to the late Jayalalithaa had found their way into the script. However, rebel AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran claimed Jayalalithaa was never addressed by the name mentioned in the film but charged commercial intent behind showing the AIADMK's 'freebies' in bad light. Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham said certain scenes amounted to inciting violence and warned of action. "The scenes relating to burning of items disbursed under government welfare schemes amount to inciting violence. Whether it is the producer (Sun Pictures) or actor (Vijay), or theatres-- they will have to face action," he told reporters. Meanwhile, DMK leader Pazha.Karuppiah, who has played the antagonist's role in the film, wanted to know how scenes of a movie could be deleted after the Censor Board had cleared it. Reports suggested that certain scenes show grinder, mixers and fans being burnt, seen as an obvious reference to the late Jayalalithaa's flagship schemes of providing these items free of cost, in line with an electoral promise in 2011. AIADMK workers staged a protest outside a theatre in Madurai demanding that certain scenes be removed. A show was also cancelled. Workers said they would not allow the film to be screened till "derogatory" scenes and dialogues were removed, the police said. At some movie halls in Coimbatore and Chennai, banners of the film and that of Vijay were damaged allegedly by AIADMK supporters. Some AIADMK workers staged a sit-in at a theatre in Coimbatore seeking a ban on the film. On a character whose name has purported reference to Jayalalithaa, Jayakumar said it was an attempt at "maligning" the late party chief and sought legal action against the crew. He also wondered if the filmmakers could have come up with such a flick when Jayalalithaa was alive and said her death has "emboldened" them. "If they (Vijay) had spelt out their policies, ideology and if the movie is reflective of that, it is fine. But in order to project themselves, to trample over others' sentiments and hurting them, that is not acceptable," he said. Referring to the films of matinee idol and AIADMK founder, former chief minister M G Ramachandran, Jayakumar said the late leader's films never carried such content. In an apparent reference to MGR's elevation from a film star to chief minister, he said "not all can become MGR." Lashing out at Vijay, Information Minister Kadambur C Raju said "This is not good for a growing actor like Vijay." "The matter has come to the government's notice. We will advise them to remove the scenes. If they do it themselves it's fine, otherwise, we will decide the next course of action," he said. Meanwhile, Dhinakaran lashed out at the 'Sarkar' team, saying there was commercial intent behind the controversies. He, however, denied that a particular woman character's name had reference to Jayalalithaa. "Komalavalli (the character's name) is not Amma's name at all. In 2002-03 when a Congressman referred to her by this name, Amma herself said this was not her name and that she had not even done any such film role," he said. However, the film was produced with "commercial intent and they have to do something" to make it a success, he added. "You know who the producers are," he said, in an apparent referrence to Sun Pictures, owned by the Maran brothers of the DMK's extended first family. "I was told that the free grinder, mixie are burnt. If they had burnt free colour TV also we can say that there is a sense of objectivity," he added. Late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's poll-time promise of providing free colour TVs to every household if elected to power in the 2006 Assembly polls had significantly helped the party win the polls then. Dhinakaran also ridiculed the Ministers for "just giving publicity" for the multi-crore venture. Meanwhile, actor-politician Karuppiah, a former AIADMK MLA who switched over to DMK, seemed to see no reason behind the demand for removal of the contentious scenes, saying it was released only after being cleared by the Censor Board. He claimed some of his dialogues referring to Karunanidhi had been "muted." Recalling BJP's opposition to Vijay's 2017 movie 'Mersal', he said the party had made the film a grand success and that the AIADMK was now going to do the same for 'Sarkar.' 'Sarkar,' produced by Sun Pictures stars Vijay and Keerthi Suresh in key roles. It is directed by AR Murugadoss and has music by Oscar winner AR Rahman.The film had earlier courted a pre-release controversy over plagiarism. An aspiring filmmaker claimed that the film's story was his, following which Murugadoss went in for a compromise with the claimant. Incidentally, 'Mersal' had seen BJP protesting over certain "incorrect" references to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Vijay starrer 'Sarkar' faces protest from AIADMK over references to Jayalalithaa

South star Vijay-starrer film ‘Sarkar’ is now ready for a release on Diwali as the Madras High Court on Tuesday cleared all roadblocks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The film was earlier mired in controversies after a writer claimed ownership over its story. A compromise was reached by both the makers and the said writer, leading to the court’s ruling in favour of the film’s release.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The film’s director A R Murugadoos has agreed to give credit to the writer and assistant director Varun Rajendran in the title of the movie with a message appreciating his thought that matched the director’s plotline.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
As Rajendran agreed to the same, Justice M Sundar recorded the memo of compromise filed by the producers of the film, thus leading to a closure of the civil suit.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The incident of filing a suit against the director arose on October 25 when Rajendran complained of copyright infringement.&nbsp;

South star Vijay-starrer film ‘Sarkar’ is now ready for a release on Diwali as the Madras High Court on Tuesday cleared all roadblocks. The film was earlier mired in controversies after a writer claimed ownership over its story.

South star Vijay-starrer film ‘Sarkar’ is now ready for a release on Diwali as the Madras High Court on Tuesday cleared all roadblocks. The film was earlier mired in controversies after a writer claimed ownership over its story. A compromise was reached by both the makers and the said writer, leading to the court’s ruling in favour of the film’s release. The film’s director A R Murugadoos has agreed to give credit to the writer and assistant director Varun Rajendran in the title of the movie with a message appreciating his thought that matched the director’s plotline. As Rajendran agreed to the same, Justice M Sundar recorded the memo of compromise filed by the producers of the film, thus leading to a closure of the civil suit. The incident of filing a suit against the director arose on October 25 when Rajendran complained of copyright infringement.

Vijay-starrer 'Sarkar' cleared for release on Diwali as Madras HC gives go-ahead

Tamil Nadu politics is soon to get glitzier with another actor hinting at joining it after Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.&nbsp;

Superstar Vijay announced at the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Sarkar’ that he might join politics. At the Sairam Engineering College in Chennai, the actor said, “If I become the Chief Minister, then I won’t just act like one, but will do my job with sincerity.”

Vijay also added that he would want to root out corruption from Tamil Nadu if he becomes the CM in the future.&nbsp;

As reported by a daily newspaper, a source from the South Indian film industry was quoted that Vijay’s comment was an indirect attack on those actor turned politicians, who are not dedicating their complete time to politics or acting.

Tamil Nadu politics is soon to get glitzier with another actor hinting at joining it after Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Superstar Vijay announced at the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Sarkar’ that he might join politics.

Tamil Nadu politics is soon to get glitzier with another actor hinting at joining it after Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Superstar Vijay announced at the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Sarkar’ that he might join politics. At the Sairam Engineering College in Chennai, the actor said, “If I become the Chief Minister, then I won’t just act like one, but will do my job with sincerity.” Vijay also added that he would want to root out corruption from Tamil Nadu if he becomes the CM in the future. As reported by a daily newspaper, a source from the South Indian film industry was quoted that Vijay’s comment was an indirect attack on those actor turned politicians, who are not dedicating their complete time to politics or acting.

South Indian star Vijay hints at entry to Tamil Nadu politics after Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan

Captain Virat Kohli made a mockery of a sub-par Sri Lanka in the company of centurion Murali Vijay as India raced to 245 for two at tea on the first day of the third and final cricket Test.

Kohli (94 batting), who has taken his batting to an altogether different level is inching towards his 20th Test hundred.&nbsp;The skipper made it look like a knocking session against a bowling attack, which at times looked inferior to a middle-run first-class side playing Ranji Trophy.

Starting the post-lunch session at 17 and his partner Vijay on 57, by the tea break, it was the skipper batting on 94 and Vijay on 101.

Together they added 167 runs in 36.4 overs for the third wicket during another listless session for the visiting side.

The gulf between the two sides was more evident as Kohli at times merely pushed the balls through the gaps and fetched boundaries at will.

None of the Sri Lankan bowlers was even capable of bowling to the set field as Vijay hit nine boundaries in 170 balls and Kohli 14 off 101 deliveries.

The Lankan attack&#39;s plight could be gauged by the fact that they were hit for 31 boundaries in just two sessions.

Pacer Lahiru Gamage (1/45) would provide half-volleys on the off-stump keeping the cover area vacant and the skipper would gleefully punch it through the region. When the off-side cordon was plugged, Gamage would bowl on the legs for him to tickle to fine leg boundary. With his military medium pace, when he tried to bounce Kohli, the skipper rocked back and pulled him through mid-wicket.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera (1/73) was given a five- pronged leg-side field expecting him to bowl the classical off-breaks. He bowled straight with no protection on the off- side.

Kohli used his supple wrists to get a boundary through the cover region and then hit a late cut for good measure.

Chinaman Lakshan Sandakan (1/70) couldn&#39;t find his length as he was easily negotiated by Kohli and Vijay.

Kohli&#39;s career-fastest Test half-century came off 52 balls and in no time he matched Vijay&#39;s score with both racing towards three-figure mark.

Vijay reached his personal landmark - 11th in longest version with a back-foot cover drive off chinaman Lakshan Sandakan. He did a little celebratory jig after that.

While the home team scored runs at a fast clip, both Shikhar Dhawan (23) and Cheteshwar Pujara (23) would certainly be lamenting the missed chance on one of the flattest decks on offer.

Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal was spot on in his assessment of the track as it was another typical low bounce batting paradise at Kotla, where Vijay made merry from the word go after Kohli rightly opted to bat.

Vijay started with a streaky four past gully off Suranga Lakmal followed by one off his hips. In the next over from Lahiru Gamage, there was a firm jab past the bowler that went to the boundary. Vijay hit seven boundaries during that first session.

Dhawan started with a cover drive and hit three more boundaries before he top-edged a sweep shot off Perera to be caught at deep backward square leg by Lakmal, who lost his footwear in the process. This was Dilruwan?s 100th Test wicket.

Pujara was as watchful as he had been all these years before unleashing his range of strokes with the visiting team&#39;s bowling attack looking sub-standard.

However, he fell into a trap when Chandimal deployed a leg slip for Pujara and Gamage fired one into his body. Pujara tried to whip it off his hips but Sadeera Samarawickrama was positioned exactly for that catch.

However, there was no stopping Vijay, who treated all bowlers with equal disdain. He hit a flowing cover drive off Gamage and then flicked him through the vacant mid-wicket region for another boundary.

Starting the post-lunch session at 17 and his partner Vijay on 57, by the tea break, it was the Kohli batting on 94 and Vijay on 101

Captain Virat Kohli made a mockery of a sub-par Sri Lanka in the company of centurion Murali Vijay as India raced to 245 for two at tea on the first day of the third and final cricket Test. Kohli (94 batting), who has taken his batting to an altogether different level is inching towards his 20th Test hundred. The skipper made it look like a knocking session against a bowling attack, which at times looked inferior to a middle-run first-class side playing Ranji Trophy. Starting the post-lunch session at 17 and his partner Vijay on 57, by the tea break, it was the skipper batting on 94 and Vijay on 101. Together they added 167 runs in 36.4 overs for the third wicket during another listless session for the visiting side. The gulf between the two sides was more evident as Kohli at times merely pushed the balls through the gaps and fetched boundaries at will. None of the Sri Lankan bowlers was even capable of bowling to the set field as Vijay hit nine boundaries in 170 balls and Kohli 14 off 101 deliveries. The Lankan attack's plight could be gauged by the fact that they were hit for 31 boundaries in just two sessions. Pacer Lahiru Gamage (1/45) would provide half-volleys on the off-stump keeping the cover area vacant and the skipper would gleefully punch it through the region. When the off-side cordon was plugged, Gamage would bowl on the legs for him to tickle to fine leg boundary. With his military medium pace, when he tried to bounce Kohli, the skipper rocked back and pulled him through mid-wicket. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera (1/73) was given a five- pronged leg-side field expecting him to bowl the classical off-breaks. He bowled straight with no protection on the off- side. Kohli used his supple wrists to get a boundary through the cover region and then hit a late cut for good measure. Chinaman Lakshan Sandakan (1/70) couldn't find his length as he was easily negotiated by Kohli and Vijay. Kohli's career-fastest Test half-century came off 52 balls and in no time he matched Vijay's score with both racing towards three-figure mark. Vijay reached his personal landmark - 11th in longest version with a back-foot cover drive off chinaman Lakshan Sandakan. He did a little celebratory jig after that. While the home team scored runs at a fast clip, both Shikhar Dhawan (23) and Cheteshwar Pujara (23) would certainly be lamenting the missed chance on one of the flattest decks on offer. Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal was spot on in his assessment of the track as it was another typical low bounce batting paradise at Kotla, where Vijay made merry from the word go after Kohli rightly opted to bat. Vijay started with a streaky four past gully off Suranga Lakmal followed by one off his hips. In the next over from Lahiru Gamage, there was a firm jab past the bowler that went to the boundary. Vijay hit seven boundaries during that first session. Dhawan started with a cover drive and hit three more boundaries before he top-edged a sweep shot off Perera to be caught at deep backward square leg by Lakmal, who lost his footwear in the process. This was Dilruwan?s 100th Test wicket. Pujara was as watchful as he had been all these years before unleashing his range of strokes with the visiting team's bowling attack looking sub-standard. However, he fell into a trap when Chandimal deployed a leg slip for Pujara and Gamage fired one into his body. Pujara tried to whip it off his hips but Sadeera Samarawickrama was positioned exactly for that catch. However, there was no stopping Vijay, who treated all bowlers with equal disdain. He hit a flowing cover drive off Gamage and then flicked him through the vacant mid-wicket region for another boundary.

Vijay's hundred, Kohli's 94 takes India to 245 for 2 at tea

vijay

Vijay, News on Vijay, stories on Vijay, articles on Vijay, Vijay stories at Wion, Vijay news, Vijay latest news