India's Pant shines after Kohli falls on 45 in 100th test

:India's Rishabh Pant stole the limelight in team mate Virat Kohli's 100th test with a blistering knock against Sri Lanka on Friday to keep the hosts on course for a big first innings total in the first test at Mohali.

Wicketkeeper-batter Pant bludgeoned four sixes and nine fours in his innings of 96 in 97 deliveries as India reached 357 for six at the close of the opening day's play after winning the toss and opting to bat.

With his incredible assault against the Sri Lankan spinners, the diminutive left-hander lifted the spirits of the spectators who were left disappointed after batting mainstay Kohli's dismissal for 45 in his landmark test.

The 24-year-old Pant, who at one stage of his innings took 32 runs in eight deliveries off Sri Lanka's spinners, was a boundary shy of his fifth test century when seamer Suranga Lakmal found a way through his defence in the first over with the second new ball.

Pant appeared distraught, closing his eyes in disappointment as he stood at the crease for a few seconds before trudging back to the dressing room.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who partnered Pant in a sixth-wicket stand of 104, remained unbeaten on 45 with Ravichandran Ashwin 10 not out at stumps.

Pant also added 53 for the fifth with Shreyas Iyer after Sri Lanka fought back to put India in a spot of bother.

India, who have won 14 consecutive home series, appeared in a strong position when new number three batter Hanuma Vihari and Kohli added 90 for the third wicket to take them to 170-2.

But the touring side struck back when Kohli, who stepped down as captain after India's 2-1 defeat in the previous series in South Africa, fell to left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya as the ball spun past his bat to disturb the stumps.

Vihari was out