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Murali spell leaves India in big trouble in Colombo

India’s Zaheer Khan, right, is watched by umpire Mark Benson as he bowls during yesterday’s third day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. PHOTO: AFP

Muttiah Muralitharan triggered India’s collapse with four quick wickets to boost Sri Lanka’s hopes of enforcing a follow-on in the third Test yesterday.

The wily off-spinner grabbed 4-38 as India struggled to reach 159-6 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to Sri Lanka’s mammoth 600-6 declared.

The tourists now require 242 more runs to make Sri Lanka bat again, with Venkatsai Laxman (19 not out) being the only specialist batsman left. Skipper Anil Kumble was unbeaten on one when bad light stopped play.

Muralitharan was instrumental in denting India’s batting reputation as he claimed four of the five wickets that fell in the closing session. Among his victims was ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar (27).

He was brilliantly supported by debutant Ajantha Mendis, the latest spin sensation who took the important wicket of former India captain Rahul Dravid in his probing 18 overs.

Sri Lanka’s batting star was Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored an attractive 125 not out to become the fourth century-maker in the innings after skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera.

In contrast, India’s batting failed to flourish as they lost wickets at regular intervals on an easy-paced track, with the Sri Lankan spin duo doing the maximum damage by keeping constant pressure on the batsmen.

Virender Sehwag was the first to go, mistiming an attempted pull off seamer Nuwan Kulasekara to be caught by Waranpura at deep backward square-leg after smashing five fours in his 16-ball 25.

There was no respite from spin for the tourists as both Muralitharan and Mendis kept testing the batsmen with clever variations.

Muralitharan had Gautam Gambhir (39) caught driving by Samaraweera at short cover and Mendis bowled Dravid (14) with a delivery that turned slightly to hit the off-stump.

Muralitharan struck again when he removed Tendulkar, who was bowled off an inside-edge. He then accounted for Sourav Ganguly (23) and wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik (nine).
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