VVS Laxman hit 103 as India depends on him to pull off a win in the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka to level the series. Laxman played the innings brilliantly to reach his 16th Test hundred, while Sachin (54) and Raina (41 not out) were the other contributors. Chasing 257 on a difficult fifth day, the Indians recovered from their blows with a 109 run partnership between Laxman and Tendulkar. Ishant was caught by Kumar Sangakkara in the morning session. Tendulkar and Laxman then controlled the match for a successful chase.
Tendulkar had his luck in the innings when he was dropped by Tillakaratne Dilshan while trying to push a Randiv. He attacked Randiv thereafter by charging down the track and driving a shot past the bowler for a boundary. Laxman, on his part, leaned forward to an Ajantha Mendis delivery from the middle stump and turned it on to the boundary, marking the 50-run partnership between the two which came in 92 balls.
Showing posts with label Ind vs SL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ind vs SL. Show all posts
SL control over India
Sri Lanka got control of the third and final Test after they stabilized India's batting on the third day. While chasing Sri Lanka's total of 425, India slipped from their score of 180 to 378 at the Sara Oval. India, seeking a series victory after the 10 wicket defeat in the first Test, will resume after the break. Abhimanyu Mithun was unbeaten on 26 and Amit Mishra on 12 at the break.Venkatsai Laxman and Suresh Raina hit half centuries and withstand 105 run after India were reduced to 199.
Indian captain Dhoni made 15 run when he was caught. India suffered quick blows when Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the day's first over and century maker Virender Sehwag. Tendulkar thrown at Malinga's sixth delivery and had an easy catch to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene. Sachin is the world's leading run getter, making a record of 169th Test appearance, scored 41 in a third-wicket stand of 91 with Sehwag. Sehwag reached his 21st hundred in the second over Suraj Randiv for his 18th boundary. Sehwag's 109 would have given him a hundred in each of his last five Tests, had he not been dismissed for 99 in the previous match at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Indian captain Dhoni made 15 run when he was caught. India suffered quick blows when Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the day's first over and century maker Virender Sehwag. Tendulkar thrown at Malinga's sixth delivery and had an easy catch to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene. Sachin is the world's leading run getter, making a record of 169th Test appearance, scored 41 in a third-wicket stand of 91 with Sehwag. Sehwag reached his 21st hundred in the second over Suraj Randiv for his 18th boundary. Sehwag's 109 would have given him a hundred in each of his last five Tests, had he not been dismissed for 99 in the previous match at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
India seek to level series
India is with selection confusion as they go into the third and final Test against Sri Lanka with Gautam Gambhir ruled out on Tuesday. India cannot settle but a victory will make their task difficult at the Oval stadium. Gambhir has not recovered completely. Dhoni said there is injury in Harbhajan's calf and he is not sure of playing the match. Gambhir's absence means that Murali Vijay will open the batting with Sehwag. He also made said that either Raina or Yuvraj Singh will have to be out of the final Test.
Virender Sehwag provides the start for others to build on in the better line-up that also has the stylish Laxman. Bowling is a headache for the Indians, who missing Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, due to injury. The Lankans don't have batting issues to worry about as top players like Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tharanga Parnavitana and Tillakaratne Dilshan are in fine form.
Virender Sehwag provides the start for others to build on in the better line-up that also has the stylish Laxman. Bowling is a headache for the Indians, who missing Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, due to injury. The Lankans don't have batting issues to worry about as top players like Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tharanga Parnavitana and Tillakaratne Dilshan are in fine form.
Second Test heads for draw
India scored their second highest total ever in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka heading for a draw on Friday. India, who replied to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 642/4, was all out for 707 on the fifth on Friday. With just 14 wickets having fallen on the pitch so far, a eagerness appears with Sri Lanka leading in the 3-match series after winning the first Test by 10 wickets. The final Test starts at the Oval in the Sri Lankan on Tuesday. India's last wicket pair of Ishant Sharma and Ojha, put on a partnership of 39 runs.
Sharma finally fell for 27, leaving Ojha unbeaten on 18. All four Sri Lankan bowlers conceded more than 100 runs, with off-spinner Suraj Randiv for 222 from 73 overs. Tillakaratne Dilshan was the lone bowler to contain the Indians with figures for 56 from 27 overs. India's innings was marked by Sachin Tendulkar's 203, his fifth double century, while Suresh Raina made 120 and Dhoni hit 76.
Sharma finally fell for 27, leaving Ojha unbeaten on 18. All four Sri Lankan bowlers conceded more than 100 runs, with off-spinner Suraj Randiv for 222 from 73 overs. Tillakaratne Dilshan was the lone bowler to contain the Indians with figures for 56 from 27 overs. India's innings was marked by Sachin Tendulkar's 203, his fifth double century, while Suresh Raina made 120 and Dhoni hit 76.