At long last, the seemingly interminable run of India-Sri Lanka matches, starting from the Asia Cup in 2008, will come to an end on Saturday. However, the bowler-friendly conditions in Dambulla have made it difficult to predict how even these most familiar of opponents will match up.
Sri Lanka, almost at full strength, probably have the edge, as their batting hasn't had the embarrassing collapses India have. India, though, have shown the happy knack of raising their game for the finals of tournaments in Sri Lanka, winning two titles over the past year, despite looking second-best in the league phase. More update please visit here.
The final day of the Test series lived up to its billing with India emerging victorious in a gripping contest to level the series and confound those who had doubted their depleted line-up. VVS Laxman battled the pressure and an injured back and, with support from Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina, countered a probing spell from Suraj Randiv and reached his 16th century to seal a memorable victory against the odds - India's fourth-highest successful chase in Tests.
India needed a recovery each time Laxman stepped out to bat this series, and he delivered once again in what appeared to be his most comfortable outing in a situation that was perhaps the most challenging. The nerves of a tough chase were more evident in his partners, who offered chances and survived moments of edginess, as opposed to Laxman, around whose solidity his team's hopes centered. Get more update please visit here..
The second Test laboured to its predictable end but not without some encouraging signs for India on the final day. The tenth-wicket pair of Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha, who had offered resistance in Galle, repeated the feat with more ease and kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay for 27.1 overs before the Indian bowlers, who have been dominated in this series, took three wickets, auguring well for the final Test at the P Sara Stadium.
The start to the Sri Lankan second innings, however, gave little indication that India's bowlers would do better. The seamers often dropped short and Tharanga Paranavitana promptly slashed both Abhimanyu Mithun and Ishant Sharma for boundaries through point. He also cashed in when the ball was pitched up, driving Ishant confidently down the ground. Mithun got a bit of movement with the new ball and beat Paranavitana on a couple of occasions, but it was a short delivery that earned him a breakthrough as Tillakaratne Dilshan mistimed a pull to midwicket. More updates please visit here
On the first day, the pitch looked flat, the bowling insipid and the Sri Lankan batsmen were queuing up to have a go at the Indians. Everything changed today. Yesterday's storms and overnight rains had left a damp and seaming pitch and the Indians were on song today. After a long time Ishant Sharma looked threatening as a bowler. It was that kind of a morning. Unexpected things happened. The ball talked. The Indians smiled. And Ishant roared. However, it wasn't all gloom for Sri Lanka. Angelo Mathews sparkled with a lovely cameo and Sri Lanka moved past 350 which can be a daunting total in these conditions.
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