India’s batsmen were handed a stern challenge to secure a series leveling win against Sri Lanka yesterday.
India, set a victory target of 257, ended the fourth day’s play on 53-3 in their second innings, following a triple strike by Suraj Randiv.
Randiv had in-form Virender Sehwag caught in the slips in his first over and later bowled Rahul Dravid off the inside edge for seven.
PHOTO: AFP
He then dismissed Murali Vijay for 27 to a disputed catch at short-leg by Mahela Jayawardene.
Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 11 with Ishant Sharma on two, and India needing 204 more runs today.
Sri Lanka made 267 in their second innings after a century partnership for the ninth wicket between Thilan Samaraweera and Ajantha Mendis.
India’s spinners had sparked a dramatic collapse in the morning session as five wickets fell for 24 to reduce the hosts to 87-7. However, the last three wickets added 180, with Samaraweera hitting 83.
He added 38 for the eighth wicket with Lasith Malinga and shared in a record Sri Lankan ninth-wicket stand of 118 with Mendis (78).
The duo flayed the Indian attack for two hours and 32 minutes before India struck, Samaraweera attempting to pull a short ball from Abhimanyu Mithun and gloving a catch to Mahendra Dhoni.
Mendis then scored 20 in the company of last man Chanaka Welegedara before being held in the covers off Amit Mishra.
Sri Lanka had added 18 to their overnight score of 45-2 when Pragyan Ojha trapped Randiv leg-before for six.
Ojha then dealt two blows in successive overs, getting rid of Mahela Jayawardene and skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
Mishra then claimed two wickets with consecutive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 87-7.
Angelo Mathews hit a full-toss to Tendulkar at mid-wicket, while Prasanna Jayawardene was out leg-before off the next ball.
Malinga then joined Samaraweera in the rescue act, before he was leg-before to Sehwag.
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