Laxman, Tendulkar help India level series

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

After a bewildering days of cricket India beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets to level the three Test series 1-1 via a stonewall batting display by Vangipurappu Laxman (103 n.o.) who notched up his 16th test hundred and the first in Sri Lanka. Sachin Tendulkar playing in his 169th Test in Sri Lanka produced a firm and sensible Innings in the Third and final cricket Test at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday.

Left hander Suresh Raina playing in his second Test after his debut hundred at Galle gave the finishing touches with a rapid 41 off 45 deliveries with four and a six to give India their fourth highest successful run chase in a Test.

India needing 257 runs to win, were 53 for 3 overnight in 18 overs with Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid both in the pavilion on the fourth day and the Lankans starting the day sensing a win needing to take 7 wickets and India needing 204 runs to win in a minimum of 90 overs.

Left armer Welegedera and Suraj Randiv started the proceedings and Randiv in particular turned the balls appreciably. Randiv who had taken all three wickets the previous day added one more to his tally when forcing night watchman Inshant Sharma to turn one straight to Sangakkara at mid wicket.

India looked in a poor position, but it would have been disaster for India if Tillekeratne Dilshan, usually one of the best fielders in the world had not tumbled with the ball and drop a straight forward catch offered by Sachin Tendulkar at short square leg to deny Randi's fourth wicket. India were 67 for 4 and Tendulkar was 18 at that point and still was hovering between defeat and victory. Had Dilshan taken the catch Sri Lanka would have applied the pressure little more and erring the remaining batsmen, but the reprieved Tendulkar joined by Laxman batted solidly and suddenly things began to go wrong for Sri Lanka as the fourth pair of India Tendulkar and Laxman clawing their way and beginning to assume command. With the drop catch off Tendulkar, Sri Lanka's chance of a win started to recede. The Lankans fielding was moderate and the throwing was less accurate.

The Indian duo picked the gaps and took the singles and two's with the field spread to cut the boundaries. The pair added 109 runs for the 5th wicket which 48 runs came off singles.Laxman who developed a back injury while batting with Tendulkar did well to overcome the pain and the pressure situation. Off spinner Suraj Randiv playing in his second Test bowled his heart out without much support to capture all five wickets which fell. His final bowling analysis were 5 for 82 and augurs well for the future.

Ajantha Mendis who was once the tormentor of India did not impress with the ball although he saved Sri Lanka while batting. He was introduced by skipper Sangakkara only in the 16 overs with the score reading 104 for 4 with Tendulkar and Laxman trying to consolidate.

He won the award for the most stylish batsman, a bit unusual for a bowler. The award is fully justified as he looked the most improved batsman in recent times. He struck some pulverising shots and his on drive off Inshant Sharma off the second new ball will be remembered by everyone who was present that day at the P. Sara Oval.

 SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS

(425 - K. Sangakkara 75, M. Jayawardene 56, T. Samaraweera 137 not out,
P. Ojha 4-115, I. Sharma 3-72)

 INDIA - 1ST INNINGS
(436 - V. Sehwag 109, V. Laxman 56, S. Raina 62, L. Maliga 3-119, 
S. Randiv 4-80, A. Mendis 2-109)

 SRI LANKA - 2ND INNINGS

(267 - T. Samaraweera 83, A. Mendis 78, 
P. Ojha 3-89, V. Sehwag 3-51, A, Mishra 3-47)

 INDIA - 2ND INNINGS
           (overnight 53-3)
M. Vijay c M. Jayawardene b Randiv	 27
V. Sehwag c M. Jayawardene b Randiv	  0
R. Dravid b Randiv			  7
S. Tendulkar c P. Jayawardene b Randiv	 54
I. Sharma c Sangakkara b Randiv		  4
V. Laxman not out			103
S. Raina not out			 41
Extras (b5, lb6, w2, nb9)		 22
Total (for five wickets, 68.3 overs)	258

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sehwag), 2-27 (Dravid), 3-49 (Vijay), 4-62 (Sharma), 5-171 (Tendulkar).

Bowling: Malinga 12-1-49-0 (nb3, w1), 
	 Randiv 29-3-82-5 (nb1), 
	 Mathews 2-0-5-0, 
	 Welegedara 8.3-2-34-0 (nb4, w1), 
	 Mendis 14-0-65-0 (nb1), 
	 Dilshan 3-0-12-0.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Rod Tucker (AUS).

TV Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI).

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).