Gritty Sri Lanka leave India a mountain to climb Read more: Gritty Sri Lanka leave India a mountain to climb - Top stories - India tour of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: India's renowned batsmen were handed a stern challenge to secure a series-levelling win in the final Test after Sri Lanka fought hard with both bat and ball on Friday.

India, set a victory target of 257, ended the rousing fourth day's play on 53/3 in their second innings, following a triple strike by lanky off-spinner Suraj Randiv.

Randiv, sharing the new ball with Lasith Malinga, had in-form Virender Sehwag caught in the slips in his first over and later bowled Rahul Dravid off the inside edge for seven.

He then dismissed opener Murali Vijay for 27 to a disputed catch at short-leg by Mahela Jayawardene, which was referred to the television umpire before the batsman was ruled out.

Sachin Tendulkar, the world's leading run-getter playing a record 169th Test match, kept India's hopes alive with a watchful unbeaten 11.

Nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was on two, with India needing 204 more runs on the final day with seven wickets in hand.

Sri Lanka made 267 in their second innings after a spectacular century partnership for the ninth wicket between Thilan Samaraweera and Ajantha Mendis.

India's spinners had sparked a dramatic collapse in the morning session as five wickets fell for 24 runs to reduce the hosts to 87/7 in an hour's play.

But the last three wickets added 180 runs to frustrate the Indians as Samaraweera followed his century in the first innings with a fighting 83 in the company of tailenders.

Samaraweera added 38 runs for the eighth wicket with Lasith Malinga (15) and Sri Lanka's record ninth-wicket stand of 118 with Mendis (78).

The duo flayed the Indian attack for two hours and 32 minutes before India broke the partnership in the first over with the second new ball.

Samaraweera attempted to pull a short ball from Abhimanyu Mithun and gloved a catch to Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni behind the stumps.

Mendis, who hit 10 boundaries and a six in his maiden half-century, scored 20 runs in the company of last man Chanaka Welegedara before being held in the covers off Amit Mishra.

India's three spinners, Pragyan Ojha, Mishra and Sehwag, claimed three wickets each on a pitch that support turn and bounce to the bowlers.

Sri Lanka added 18 runs to their overnight score of 45/2 when Ojha trapped nightwatchman Randiv leg-before for six, one ball after Dhoni dropped a simple catch behind the stumps.

Ojha then dealt two deadly blows in successive overs, getting rid of Sri Lanka's batting mainstays, Mahela Jayawardene and skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

Jayawardene edged a sharp turning ball to Rahul Dravid in the slips after making five, while Sangakkara (28) pulled a short delivery to Suresh Raina at square-leg.

It was the Sri Lankan captain's first failure in the series after making 103 in the first Test, 219 and 42 not out in the second and 75 in the first innings of this match.

Mishra, who was hammered for 1-140 in the first innings, then claimed two wickets with consecutive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 87/7.

Angelo Mathews hit a full-toss to Tendulkar at mid-wicket, while Prasanna Jayawardene was out leg-before off the next ball.

Malinga denied Mishra a hat-trick and partnered Samaraweera in the rescue act, before he was leg-before to Sehwag before lunch.
TOI

IHF regains government recognition

BANGALORE: In another swift move that consigned Hockey India to history, the Union sports ministry said on Friday that the Indian Olympic Association or Sports Authority of India would select and field the Indian hockey teams in international competitions from now on.

The ministry informed the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that this would be necessary in the interest of the game in the country as the HI is no longer the recognised national sports federation. The Sports Authority of India will be virtually in charge of the national teams, coordinating on the camps and tours till such time the IHF, which is now teh recognised body, takes over.

The ministry also told FIH not to assign any international tournament or have any commercial dealings with HI as it has assumed the character of a private body and no longer enjoys government recognition.

The IHF will be given adequate time to set in motion the unification process with the Indian Women's Hockey Federation but the sports ministry is categorical in its view that the KPS-Gill led body will have to kickstart the process in double quick time as well as keep its word on adhering to the government guidelines as it knuckles down to its work of governing the game again.

In its letter to FIH president Leandro Negre, the ministry said: "The president, IHF, has confirmed that the process of unification of the men and women hockey bodies at the national level is under way. It is expected to be completed soon. Once this process is completed, they will approach the FIH for recognition. Meanwhile, it is requested that the IOA or SAI may be permitted to field the Indian team for participating in various FIH recognised competitions."

The first of the tasks for IOA or SAI may be selecting the women's team for the World Cup in Rosario, Argentina later this month. The Commonwealth and Asian Games squads too may have to be chosen by either of these bodies in the coming weeks.

What can come as an irritant is the IHF's relationship with the FIH. With the FIH still backing Hockey India, the ministry feels the onus is on the IHF to effectively stake its claim. The fresh mandate to run the game - with the unification in place and government recognition - should convince the FIH adequately enough to change its stance, the ministry feels. In any case, how long can an international federation continue to back a ‘private body' which has lost the power to select a team that can legitimately represent India?

TOI

Sehwag, Sachin lead India resistance

COLOMBO: Virender Sehwag (97*) and Sachin Tendulkar (40*) took India to 180/2 at stumps on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.


Sehwag batted with his customary flourish and was just three runs short of what could be his 21st century as the visitors reached a comfortable 180/2 in their first innings at close on the second day.

Sehwag ran away with honours on Day Two, which also saw Sri Lankan Thilan Samaraweera (137) hitting a century, with a scintillating show of strokeplay on a sporting pitch at P Sara Oval.

The dashing Indian opener, who sent the home team bowlers for a leather hunt in the final session, consumed just 87 balls for his 97, hitting 17 fours. He also became the sixth Indian to score 7000 Test runs when he reached 70.

Giving company to Sehwag at stumps was milestone man Sachin Tendulkar (40) who has become the most-capped Test player, surpassing former Australian captain Steve Waugh's 168 appearances.

Murali Vijay (14) and Rahul Dravid (23) were the two batsmen dismissed. India now trail Sri Lanka by 245 runs with eight first innings wickets intact.

Coming together at 92/2, Sehwag and Tendulkar have shared 88 runs for the unfinished third wicket stand.

It turned out to be a productive day for the Indians, who were trailing 0-1 in the series, as their bowlers came up with a decent performance by taking the last six wickets in less than two sessions to bowl out the home side for 425.

Sehwag then led a strong Indian reply with a typical aggressive innings. The opener, who was dropped on 52 by Angelo Mathews, gave Chanaka Welegedara with special treatment hitting boundaries off the Sri Lankan bowler almost at will.

Welegedara bled 59 runs from his first spell of eight overs before he was taken off. Out of the 11 fours he conceded in his first spell of nine overs came from Sehwag's blade.

The strong start by the visitors was though a one-man show for most part as other opener Murali Vijay could contribute just 14 from 35 balls.

Vijay was looking like giving long company with his senior partner with some fine delectable boundaries off Welegedara before he was out to a tame dismissal after raising 49 runs with Sehwag for the opening wicket.

Vijay tried to check himself from playing a drive off a full length Lasith Malinga delivery which went straight to Ajantha Mendis at extra cover.

Dravid looked like a man in hurry scoring an uncharacteristically breezy 26-ball 23 which was laced with five fours but failed for the fifth time in the series to make an impact.

Earlier, pacer Ishant Sharma and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha shared the spoils with two wickets apiece as Indian bowlers got their mojo back to bowl out Sri Lanka for 425 half an hour before the tea break.

Besides Ishant (3/72) and Ojha (4/115), leggie Amit Mishra and part-timer Virender Sehwag also claimed one wicket apiece as India removed the last six Sri Lankan wickets for 132 runs and in 51 overs.

The post-lunch session was the most productive session for India as they took four wickets at the expense of 56 runs.

For Sri Lanka, Thilan Samaraweera remained unbeaten on 137 which he made from 288 balls and with the help of 12 boundaries and a six.

Angelo Mathews (45) was the other main contributor for Sri Lanka while the five lower order batsmen could not reach double digit figures as the home side were all out after facing 138 overs around half an hour before the tea break.

Resuming the post-lunch session at 396/6, Suraj Randiv was the first to go when he scooped a simple skier of the bowling of Sehwag to Rahul Dravid at first slip in his individual score of eight.

Malinga (4) was the next to go as he popped up a simple return catch to Amit Mishra giving the bowler his first wicket.

The remaining batsmen, however, continued to hang on for a while along with Samaraweera who gave some special treatment to Ojha.

It was left to Ishant to get Ajantha Mendis when the batsman stabbed it to gully where Suresh Raina made no mistake.

Ishant then got his third wicket when Chanaka Welegedera failed to gauge a short pitch bouncer that took the edge of his gloves and went to the wicket keeper for a fairly straightforward catch.

In the morning session, Ojha scalped two quick wickets but Samaraweera's patient hundred carried the Sri Lankans forward.

Samaraweera's century came off 229 balls and comprised 10 boundaries.

Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun extracted a bit of bounce from the pitch early on, but they could not provide any breakthrough.

TOI

Veeru, Sachin take Day 2 honours

Veeru, Sachin take Day 2 honours

3rd Test against Sri Lanka: India 180/2, trail by 245 runs; Sehwag becomes sixth Indian to score 7,000 runs

COLOMBO, Aug 4: Virender Sehwag (97*) and Sachin Tendulkar (40*) took India to 180/2 at stumps on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.

Sehwag batted with his customary flourish and was just three runs short of what could be his 21st century as the visitors reached a comfortable 180/2 in their first innings at close on the second day.

Sehwag ran away with honours on Day Two, which also saw Sri Lankan Thilan Samaraweera (137) hitting a century, with a scintillating show of strokeplay on a sporting pitch at P Sara Oval.

India hit by injuries as they seek to level series against Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: India grapple with injury worries and selection dilemmas as they go into the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday with opener Gautam Gambhir ruled out and ace spinner Harbhajan Singh being a doubtful starter.

Trailing 0-1, India cannot settle for anything but an outright victory to square the series but the spate of injuries will make their task a trifle difficult at the P Sara Oval stadium.

Gambhir, who missed out of the second Test because of a knee injury, has not recovered completely while Harbhajan is still uncertain because of a niggle.

"Gautam (Gambhir) is injured. He won’t be playing tomorrow. Right now Harbhajan is also doubtful for the match," Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said,

"There is bit of niggle in his (Harbhajan's) calf. Not sure how serious it is, so we will take a call on him before the game," he said.

Gambhir's absence means that Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay, who scored a half-century in the first innings of the second Test, will yet again open the batting with Virender Sehwag as Dhoni has rejected the possibility of fielding a makeshift opener in the crucial match.

He also made it clear that either Suresh Raina, who scored a century in his debut in the second Test, or Yuvraj Singh will have to sit out of the final Test.

"You know the choice between Suresh Raina and Yuvraj is a difficult one. I will just protect the decision till tomorrow morning. Whatever the team decides, we will go by it," Dhoni said.

Although they don't have to worry about their top position in the ICC rankings, the Indians do have a few selection dilemmas to deal with on the eve of the match at the P Sara Oval.

The focus will be on veteran Sachin Tendulkar, who is set to surpass Steve Waugh's record of being the most capped player in Test cricket when he takes the field on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old iconic right-hander, who scored a fifth career double hundred in the second Test, also practised in the nets yesterday, an indication that he would be padding in his record 169th Test having recovered from the groin injury.

Apart from these injury concerns, batting form is hardly an issue for the Indians, who piled up a whopping 707 runs in the first innings of the second Test in reply to Sri Lanka's 642.

Virender Sehwag was his usual explosive self, providing the start for others to build on in the intimidating line-up that also has the stylish VVS Laxman.

Bowling, however, is a headache for the Indians with the pace department desperately missing the services of Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, who were ruled out due to injury.

Ishant Sharma impressed briefly in the second Test but has been off-colour for most of the series and though the young Abhimanyu Mithun has given it his all, the placid pitch here didn't help his confidence much in the second Test.

Like India, the Lankans don't have batting issues to worry about as top willow-wielders like Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, the upcoming Tharanga Parnavitana and the destructive Tillakaratne Dilshan are in fine form.

But unlike India, the hosts have a decent bowling attack despite missing the spin wizardry of the now-retired Muttiah Muralitharan.

They were without the lethal Lasith Malinga in the second Test due to injury and there is still a question mark on whether the in-form pacer will play on Tuesday.

Teams (from)

India: MS Dhoni (C), Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Abhimanyu Mithun.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (C), Muttiah Muralitharan, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Dilhara Fernando, Dammika Prasad, Suraj Randiv, Thilina Kandamby, Chanaka Welegedara, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Simon Taufel (AUS)
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Match starts at 10 am (IST).

Gambhir ruled out of third Test against Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: India's bid to level the three-match series dealt a big blow as opener Gautam Gambhir was ruled out of the third Test against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval Stadium in Colombo.

Spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh also doubtful for the third Test starting from Tuesday.

Gambhir had missed the SSC Test with a right knee injury, but he took part in the by now customary game of football before practice and spent a long session at the nets on Sunday.

Barring Harbhajan Singh, all members of the squad were present at the nets at the P Sara Oval.

There was good news from elsewhere. Sachin Tendulkar, who could not take the field on the Day Five of the second Test due to a stiff groin after scoring his fifth career double hundred, looked fit.

Sri Lanka lead India 1-0 in the three-match Test series. Team India has a difficult task on Tuesday to level the series.

TOI

Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Hit by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the government today promised to take action against those found guilty even as another venue was inaugurated with a leaking roof. Union urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy was in damage-control mode over the Central Vigilance Commission's report on widescale corruption in Games' construction projects. “CVC has come out with preliminary remarks on the alleged irregularities in the construction of Commonwealth venues. I assure you that all concerned would be punished. Nothing would be spared. We will seriously look into it,” Reddy said during the inauguration of the Weightlifting auditorium inside the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium complex here today. The Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who was forced to address an hour-long press conference to rebutt charges of financial bunglings yesterday, was issuing clarifications yet again. The Indian Olympic Association chief insisted that the UK-based firm at the center of a corruption row that has hit OC was recommended by the Indian High Commission despite an embarrassing denial issued by it earlier.The Indian High Commission had denied recommending A M Films, the little-known UK-based firm which allegedly received lakhs of pounds for providing its ‘services’ during the Queen's Baton Relay in London. (PTI)

England win first Test by 354 runs

England win first Test by 354 runs

NOTTINGHAM, Aug 1: James Anderson’s match haul of 11-71 helped to wrap up a comfortable 354-run victory over Pakistan, who slumped to their lowest total against England, in the first Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

Pakistan, set a world-record 435 to win, were bowled out for 80 in 29 overs after resuming on 15 for three on the fourth day. England required just under two hours to take Pakistan’s last seven wickets.

Number ten Danish Kaneria top-scored with 16 not out and was one of only two batsmen to reach double figures as the Pakistanis struggled to play the moving ball throughout. The total fell short of Pakistan’s previous low against England, which was 87 at Lord’s in 1954.

Second Test between India- Sri Lanka ends in a dull draw

T V Sriram

Colombo, Jul 30 (PTI) The second cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka meandered to a tame high-scoring draw here today with a staggering 1478 runs being scored over five days on a track which proved to be graveyard for bowlers.

With little interest left on a dreary last day, the Indians scored a mammoth 707 all out in the first innings, recording their second-highest total ever largely due to a dogged resistance by the last wicket pair of Ishant Sharma (27) and Pragyan Ojha (17).

The hosts then scored 129 for three in their second innings before both the captains decided to call off play, bringing an end to a dull Test completely dominated by the bastmen with just 17 wickets falling.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is a great honour: Saina

HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal's purple patch has just got an extension. Four weeks after the nation celebrated her terrific triple - hat-trick of wins at Indian Open, Singapore Super Series and Indonesia Super Series - the government bestowed upon her the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour in the country.

Surprisingly, the champion shuttler is not celebrating, rather she does not have time to celebrate. Her coach Pullela Gopichand insisted that she should not skip evening practice.

Worse still, she'll be doing the 'super circuit' considered the most difficult and energy sapping session of the whole week. "I am ecstatic. It's a great honour, the best I got and one of my long term dreams. But I wish it was not announced on Friday."

"Notwithstanding the hard work, I am enjoying every moment of my career. This award brings more responsibility to me and I'll work hard to bring more honour for the country," Saina said.

After the customary congratulations she expected her coach to give her an off. "He patted me and told me to sleep in the afternoon so that I can do the 'super circuit' session. I can't say no to him. It's a different experience going through the gruelling session even before the excitement of getting the award could sink in," Saina said.

The world number two thanked the government for the honour and said that though she got several honours nothing would match the Khel Ratna. "I know sportspersons die to get this Award. I am no different. I badly wanted to win it. I rate it as one of the biggest achievements of my life. I thank the government for this award. These things give us a lot of motivation and encourages us to work even harder," said Saina.

Incidentally, this is the third major award for her in the last one year. She won the Arjuna last August, Padma Shri this January and now the Khel Ratna.

President Pratibha Patil will present the award to Saina at a ceremony on August 29 in New Delhi. The award comprises a scroll of honour, medal and a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.

TOI

Tendulkar's double-ton leads India's run feast

COLOMBO: Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar hit 203 and debutant Suresh Raina made 120 as India bettered Sri Lanka's run-spree in the high-scoring second Test on Thursday.


India, kept on the field for the first two days during Sri Lanka's massive 642/4 declared, responded by piling up 669/9 by stumps on the fourth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

With just 13 wickets having fallen on the placid wicket in four days, the batsman-dominated Test is heading for a draw with Sri Lanka enjoying a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Tendulkar and Raina, who came together on the third afternoon with India on 241-4 and struggling to avoid their second successive follow-on, put on 256 runs for the fifth wicket.

Tendulkar compiled his fifth double-century, adding another feather to a glorious 168-Test career marked by more runs (13,742) and hundreds (48) than any other batsman in history.

He is also the leading one-day batsman with 17,598 runs and 46 hundreds, including the only double-century in limited-overs internationals.

The 37-year-old braved the stifling hot and humid weather in the Sri Lankan capital for more than eight hours to play a marathon innings studded with 23 boundaries and a six.

Tendulkar reached the 200-mark, his first in six years, with a flick off Ajantha Mendis for two runs, earning warm applause from team-mates and spectators alike.

Left-hander Raina became the ninth Indian to score a century in his first Test innings, before holing out to short mid-wicket off Mendis shortly after lunch.

Raina, just 23 and already a veteran of 98 one-day internationals, was awarded his Test cap only after Yuvraj Singh reported sick on the opening day of the match.

He hit two sixes and 12 boundaries, reaching his century with a fluent off-drive against seamer Dammika Prasad that raced to the fence.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76) joined in the run feast after Raina's departure, adding 95 for the sixth wicket with Tendulkar and 51 for the eighth with Abhimanyu Mithun (41).

It was left to part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan to get rid of Tendulkar soon after tea as wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene held a bat-pad catch moving swiftly to the silly point area.

Dilshan also dismissed Harbhajan Singh in the same over and later took a return catch off Dhoni to finish with three wickets.

Sri Lanka missed the wicket-taking abilities of the retired Muttiah Muralitharan and injured fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the young crop of bowlers failed to contain the Indians.

Mendis finished with 4-157 from his 54 overs, while off-spinner Suraj Randiv failed to add to his two wickets on the third day and returned with 2-212 in 64 overs.

Muralitharan and Malinga had claimed 15 of the 20 Indian wickets in the first Test in Galle last week, which Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

TOI

Bolt, Gay to race in 4x100 relay at Zurich

Bolt, Gay to race in 4x100 relay at Zurich

ZURICH, July 29: Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay will race when Jamaica and the United States field teams in the 4x100 meter relay at the Diamond League meet in Zurich.

Organizers of the August 19 Weltklasse meet said on Thursday that Olympic and world champion Bolt will anchor a Jamaica team including Mario Forsythe, Yohan Blake, and Marvin Anderson. Gay, the second-fastest man in history behind Bolt's record of 9.58 seconds, heads a US lineup featuring Walter Dix, Wallace Spearmon and Trell Kimmons. Bolt and Gay are skipping the individual 200 at Zurich, which splits the Diamond League finals with Brussels the following week. Bolt, Gay and former world record-holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica will race the 100 at Stockholm's Diamond League meet next week. (Agencies)

Sachin, the artist, deserves Bharat Ratna: Asha Bhonsle

Sachin, the artist, deserves Bharat Ratna: Asha Bhonsle

NEW DELHI, July 29: When Sachin Tendulkar bats, it’s like an artist playing a ‘raga’ and the true legend of the game deserves the Bharat Ratna, legendary singer Asha Bhonsle on Thursday.

Tendulkar on Thursday smashed his fifth Test double hundred and helped India chase a mammoth Sri Lankan total of 642/4 declared in the second match.

“Sachin should get Bharat Ratna. He deserves it. He has been bringing laurels for the country for such a long time. He is not just a batsman but an artist. When he bats it looks as if somebody is playing a ‘raga’,” Bhonsle said.

Kalmadi dubs Mani Shankar Aiyar anti-national

Kalmadi dubs Mani Shankar Aiyar anti-national

New Delhi, July 27: Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi labelled Mani Shankar Aiyar ‘anti national’ for wishing that the Commonwealth Games are ‘spoilt’.

Aiyar, who as a sports minister was a known critic of the Commonwealth Games and even had continuous run-ins with Kalmadi, maintained that the huge amount of money spent on Commonwealth Games could have been better used to train young athletes for international sporting events.

“Personally, I will be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games are successful,” Aiyar, a nominated Rajya Sabha member, told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday.

“I am very happy with the rains, firstly it will ensure a good agriculture for the country and secondly it will ensure that the Commonwealth Games are spoilt,” Aiyar said. “Just imagine, if we would have spent the Rs.35,000 crore ($7 billion) in providing training to the children, we would have won medals at every international sporting event,” Aiyar added.

Kalmadi retorted saying that had Aiyar continued as the sports minister, India could never have hosted the Games. “The Games are possible only because MS Gill is the sports minister. Had Mani Shankar Aiyar continued to be sports minister, the Games would not have happened at all. Gill has done a remarkable job since he has taken over,” Kalmadi said during the inauguration of the remodelled Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Later, talking to reporters, Kalmadi said: “He (Aiyar) is anti-national. When everyone is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games, he is going around wishing the Games are spoilt.” (IANS)

Sangakkara, Jaywardene frustrate India

Sangakkara, Jaywardene frustrate India

Colombo, July 27: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara smashed his seventh double ton and Mahela Jayawardene notched up his 28th century as Sri Lanka ended the second day’s play with a massive first innings lead of 547 runs against India in the second cricket Test here on Tuesday. Sangakkara (219) and Jayawardene (174) stitched a 193-run third-wicket stand to enable Sri Lanka declare their first innings at 624 for four shortly after tea at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. Thilan Samaraweera made an unbeaten 76.

India also made a strong start with openers Virender Sehwag (64) and Murali Vijay (22) seeing the last 18 overs of the day by scoring 95 runs. For Sangakkara it was his seventh double ton, and he surpassed Marvan Atapattu’s six and now has the most double hundreds in his country. Sangakkara’s double-century put him at par with Wally Hammond of England. Only Australian legend Don Bradman (12) and West Indian Brian Lara (9) have more scores of 200 or more.

Sangakkara and Paranavitana slam tons as Lanka take control

COLOMBO: Captain Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana struck their second successive centuries as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second Test against India by laying the foundation for a massive first innings on Monday.

Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.

The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one position, put up a rather pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start.

Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Electing to bat, the two Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians.

The depleted Indian bowling attack, badly missing the services of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, just did not ball in the right areas to pose much problems for the hosts who scored at a brisk pace right through the day.

If the inexperienced pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun failed to make much of an impact, the two spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha also lacked penetration to compound the problems for the visitors.

The Indians were pushed on the backfoot almost immediately after play began this morning with Dilshan and Paranavitana unleashing a flurry of strokes.

The opening pair put on a brisk 99 runs for the first wicket before Ojha provided the breakthrough by evicting the hard-hitting Dilshan with VVS Laxman latching on to a brilliant catch at short extra cover.

Dilshan struck ten boundaries during his 42-ball knock which allowed the home team to take the initiative from the word go.

Paranavitana and Sangakkara then served a painful reminder of the opening day's play at Galle as they tormented the Indians with a fine exhibition of batting.

The duo were in no discomfort at all as they scored at a quick pace, forcing Dhoni to opt for a completely defensive field.

Both Paranavitana and Sangakkara completed their centuries in the same over off Virender Sehwag, getting a standing ovation from the sparse home crowd.

The pair stitched 174 runs for the second wicket before Paranavitana fell to Ishant Sharma immediately after completing his century much to the relief of the Indians.

Earlier, continuing from where he left in the second innings at Galle, Dilshan scored at will hammering several boundaries on a batting-friendly track.

The right-hander was particularly severe on Ishant Sharma whom he hit with impunity.

Though accelerating in pace, Sharma hardly troubled Dilshan and the Lankan leaned forward to a 138 kmph delivery from the lanky bowler, thumping it between the mid-off and extra cover.

The very next delivery was dispatched to the mid-wicket, another short in length bowl in the same over was punched to the extra cover.

In the morning, Paranavitana was fortunate when an edge off Mithun fell short of the Indian captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Paranavitana then clobbered Pragyan Ojha for two consecutive boundaries after the drinks break.

Sangakkara got his half century after he whipped Ishant Sharma through the midwicket boundary.

Paranavitana then completed his fifty when he pressed back to punch a Sehwag turner to the sweeper cover. The two left handers put the hosts on course for a huge first innings lead.

The wicket, despite offering slight turn to the spinners, never seemed to trouble the two batsmen much.

Sri Lanka raced to 200 in a mere 285 balls and Paranavitana and Sangakkara also got to their 100 runs partnership in 174 balls and 108 minutes.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was ruled out due to a niggle in his knee while Yuvraj Singh made way to Suresh Raina owing to fever.

There was overhaul of the Sri Lankan bowling attack with Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Dhamika Prasad making it to the final eleven.

TOI

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

NEW DELHI, July 26: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri made a low-key 21-minute appearance in the second half in Kansas City Wizard’s surprise 2-1 win over English Premier League giants Manchester United in an international friendly in Kansas City, United States.

Chhetri, who is yet to make his Major League Soccer debut, came in for Teal Bunbury in the 69th minute and had a couple of shots which however did not trouble Manchester United goalkeeper Benjamin Amos at the newly remodelled Arrowhead Stadium.

He was lively throughout his outing as he kept running and tried to pile pressure on the Manchester United defence in an open and free-flowing game that was played at a breakneck pace in front of more than 50,000 spectators last night.

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

COLOMBO, July 26: In a commanding position after scoring 312 for just two wickets on the opening day itself, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team would aim to add another 200 to 250 runs on Tuesday and bat India out of the second cricket Test.

Sangakkara (130 batting) and opener Tharanga Paranavitana (100) were in fine form against a toothless Indian attack which was also exposed early on by the explosive Tillakaratne Dilshan (54).

“We have to capitalise and bat long tomorrow. We need to get between 200 to 250 more runs tomorrow to put pressure on India. Anything above 250 would be a bonus,” Sangakkara said after the opening day’s play.

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

COLOMBO, July 26: In a commanding position after scoring 312 for just two wickets on the opening day itself, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team would aim to add another 200 to 250 runs on Tuesday and bat India out of the second cricket Test.

Sangakkara (130 batting) and opener Tharanga Paranavitana (100) were in fine form against a toothless Indian attack which was also exposed early on by the explosive Tillakaratne Dilshan (54).

“We have to capitalise and bat long tomorrow. We need to get between 200 to 250 more runs tomorrow to put pressure on India. Anything above 250 would be a bonus,” Sangakkara said after the opening day’s play.

Gambhir, Yuvraj out of second Test against Sri Lank

NEW DELHI: India dealt a big blow ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka as Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir were ruled out at the eleventh hour.

Yuvraj has been ruled out due to high fever while Gambhir is out because of his injured knee.

Suresh Raina comes in for Yuvraj to make his Test debut. Murali Vijay will open the innings with Virender Sehwag.

On the other hand, home team Sri Lanka may face bowling woes after the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan and the absence of Lasith Malinga.

However, the Indians may not take a sigh of relief as mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis comes in to the squad.

India cannot afford another slip-up because a 2-0 or 3-0 series scoreline in Sri Lanka's favour will remove Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men from the perch and lift the hosts to the top spot.

TOI