Kohli's big-run drought continues as India reach 199/4 at tea

Virat Kohli left his legion of fans high and dry after yet another inexplicable dismissal on his 100th Test but India steadily moved to 199 for four at tea on the opening day of the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka here on Friday.

At exactly, 11 am, the 5000 odd people roared in unison as 'King Kohli' emerged from the dressing room after opener Mayank Agarwal's dismissal.

A picture-perfect straight drive off left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando (11-1-50-1) was soothing for the eyes as he reached 8000 Test runs during the course of his 45 off 76 balls that also had four more hits to the fence.

A square cut that beat deep point manned to save boundary was delightful but left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (20-1-62-2) got one that pitched one length and turned away to clip the bails of Kohli's off-stump, leading to a stunned silence.

Hanuma Vihari (58 off 128 balls) made good use of his chance in place of Cheteshwar Pujara and looked in control during his 90-run stand with Kohli before he inside edged Fernando's delivery onto the stumps.

It was a perfect setting to score a second Test hundred but Vihari fluffed his lines.

At tea, Shreyas Iyer (14 batting) and Rishabh Pant (12 batting) were at the crease.