Opener Virender Sehwag’s fiery batting has kept India in good shape at the end of the second day of the third and final test match against Sri Lanka. The home side got all out for 425 runs in their first innings. India finished the day at 180 for 2 with Sehwag not out on 97 and Sachin Tendulkar not out on 40.
Sri Lanka started the day with their overnight score of 293 for 4. Except Thilan Samaraweera, no other Sri Lankan batsman showed any resistance today. Samaraweera got his 12th test century as he played an excellent innings of unbeaten 137. The hosts lost their last 6 wickets within 95 runs.
Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha was the most successful bowler with 4 wickets to his name, while pacer Ishant Sharma picked up 3 wickets.
India started off pretty well in their innings as the two openers had brought 49 runs before Murali Vijay was made the catch of Mendis by Lasith Malinga. Sri Lanka picked up another crucial wicket when Rahul Dravid was trapped in LBW off Angelo Mathews.
India was under pressure after losing two wickets within 100 runs, but Sehwag’s sensible batting eased the pressure for the visitors. The had-hitter’s unbeaten 97 came off just 87 balls thanks to 17 boundaries. Tendulkar is also complementing well.
India is still 245 runs behind in their first innings. Sehwag and Tendulkar must lead the visitors from the front tomorrow, if India is to create a winning opportunity in the match.
India is now 1-0 down in the series. So, they have no other alternative of winning the match to level the series.
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