COLOMBO: Sri Lanka destroyed India’s top-order yesterday to position itself for a series-winning victory in the third Test.
Having earned a 147-run lead on first innings with a disciplined batting performance, Sri Lanka then reduced India to 161-5 at stumps on day three.
With a meager 14-run lead, and with frontline batsmen Virender Sehwag (34), Gautam Gambhir (26), Saurav Ganguly (18) and Sachin Tendulkar (14) all back in the pavilion, India’s chances of staving off defeat and pushing for a win will hinge today on the performance of its last remaining recognized batsmen: Rahul Dravid (46 not out) and V.V.S. Laxman (17 not out).
They must attempt to build a lead against the threat posed by Sri Lanka’s spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. Mendis’ two wickets in the second innings saw him break a 62-year-old world record for the most wickets in a debut series, previously held by England’s Alec Bedser. Mendis had taken 25 wickets in this series at an average of 16.84. Sehwag and Gambhir got India off to a brisk start to reach 57-0 from just nine overs by tea and India appeared to have snatched the initiative away from the hosts through pure aggression. But debutant fast bowler Dammika Prasad dealt two quick blows after tea, dismissing both openers in the space of three runs to slow the run spree. Sehwag played a typically bullish innings before slashing at a Prasad delivery and being caught by Thilan Samaraweera at gully. Gambhir tried to pull Prasad, only to drag the ball onto his stumps off the inside edge, pushing India to 65-2, providing the latest twist in a match and a series of shifting momentum. Dravid and Ganguly shared 43 runs for the third wicket, but just as the partnership threatened Sri Lanka’s ascendancy, ace spinner Muralitharan struck, trapping Ganguly (18) lbw. The left-hander challenged on-field umpire Mark Benson’s verdict under a new system being trailed in this series, however television umpire Billy Doctrove confirmed that he was out. Ganguly’s dismissal saw wicketkeeper batsman Parthiv Patel promoted in the order as nightwatchman, with India trying to protect key batsman Tendulkar and Laxman, who had spent the best part of two days in the rooms nursing injuries.
Tendulkar injured his left elbow while attempting a catch on Saturday while Laxman twisted his ankle while practicing on the same morning.
However Patel (1) was not able to hold out, soon trapped lbw by Mendis. That forced Tendulkar to walk out with strapping to protect his injury, but he was beaten by a Mendis googly, prodding his pad forward only be given out lbw, leaving his team tottering at 131-5 and giving Mendis his world record.
Earlier, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 396 to establish a handsome lead on first innings, thanks to a gritty 144 from Kumar Sangakkara and valuable contributions from the tail.
Sri Lanka came into the third day with a thin two-run lead and four tail-end wickets in hand, but solidified in the opening session as the overnight pair of Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene frustrated India’s bowlers in a prudent 152-ball partnership.
India captain Anil Kumble finally ended Sangakkara’s knock with the score at 324, caught by wicketkeeper Patel. He faced 288 balls in his seven-hour innings and hit 14 boundaries.
Jayawardene (49) and Prasad (36) also made valuable contributions.
Khan, Harbhajan and Kumble captured three wickets each for an India attack reduced by an injury to strike bowler Ishant Sharma. Sharma fell on his follow-through late Saturday and while India’s physiotherapist said there was no injury other than pain from the impact of the fall, Sharma took no part yesterday.
India is chasing its first series victory in Sri Lanka since 1993. The series is level at 1-1.
