Galle, Aug 13 (IANS): India opener Shikhar Dhawan struck an unbeaten century while skipper Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 86 to help India take a 44-run first innings lead at lunch on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Dhawan (110 not out) scored his third Test century and was well supported by Kohli as the duo stood firm to build an unbeaten 199-run partnership for the third wicket. India, at lunch, were batting at 227/2 in 63 overs.

Earlier, the visitors ended the first day's play at 128/2 after India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wrecked the hosts' batting line-up with an impressive six-wicket haul to bundle out Sri Lanka for 183.

Resuming the second day's play on a sunny morning, Sri Lanka pacers Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep and spinners Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal bowled in tandem but failed to dislodge the Indian batting pair.

They failed to pick up an early wicket but managed to hold India from scoring freely as the visitors hit their first boundary only in the 13th over of the day.

However, as the first hour of play progressed, the batsmen settled down well to take a vital first innings lead.