Sri Lanka vs. India: Virender Sehwag is back
India has made a strong comeback in the third and final test match against Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval Stadium in Colombo. The hosts were bowled out for a formidable first innings total of 425 runs in their first innings. The hosts’ were led by a brilliant knock by Thilan Samaraweera who scored his 12th test hundred with an unbeaten 137 runs as the tail capitulated on the other end.
The right-hander faced 288 balls and struck 12 fours and one six as he found support from Angelo Matthews who scored 45 runs. The rest of the batting line-up caved in and despite occupying the crease for a considerable time, none of the last five batsmen reached double figures.
India’s performance was based around a career best show by left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha who claimed four wickets for the tourists. He was well supported by pacer Ishant Sharma who returned with three scalps while leg-spinner Amit Mishra captured one wicket. All the bowlers kept the Sri Lankan batsmen under check who were keen on getting some crucial runs to add to their total on Day 2.
The Indian reply was positive as Delhi dasher Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay struck some boundaries at the start of the innings to take the attack back to the Sri Lankan bowlers.
However, their progress was halted by the Sri Lankan pace man Lasith Malinga, who was the man-of-the-match in the opening test at Galle. The right-arm slinger forced Vijay to drive towards mid-off into the hands of Ajantha Mendis who made no mistake in pocketing an easy chance.
Rahul Dravid, the wall of India, started his knock impressively and quite uncharacteristically, the right-hander struck five quick boundaries and looked set for a big innings, before he misread a delivery from medium pacer Angelo Matthews that came back in, wrapping him on the pads.
Dravid scored 23 runs off 26 balls, his dismissal left his team in a spot of bother at 92/2, but he was replaced by arguably the greatest batsman of all time Sachin Tendulkar.
The right-hander, who is making a record 169th appearance in test cricket, looked comfortable at the crease and appeared in commanding form on his way to an unbeaten 40-run knock, punctuated by five boundary fours.
His unbroken third wicket association with Sehwag has thus far yielded 88 runs, and the partnership has motored along in only 17 overs. The Delhi Daredevil Sehwag was once again in imperious touch, following his ton in the first test and 99 in the second test which is a high scoring draw at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Sehwag was unbeaten on 97 on course for his 21st test hundred, his innings has been punctuated by a staggering 17 fours, and has come off an incredible 87 balls.
The opener once again made batting look like the easiest job in the world as he took full toll of any loose bowling throughout his knock, choosing seamers Chanaka Welegedara and Angelo Matthews and spinner Ajantha Mendis for special treatment.
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