COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Suresh Raina stroked a memorable debut century and Sachin Tendulkar coasted to his fifth double hundred to lift India to a massive total of 669 for nine in the second test against Sri Lanka yesterday.
India ended the fourth day 27 runs ahead and with only one day remaining the second match in the three-test series was heading for a certain draw.
Part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan enlivened the dull proceedings in the final session when he grabbed three wickets for 50 runs.
He sent back Tendulkar for 203 and Harbhajan Singh for a duck in his ninth over and ended the resistance of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 76 when he held a brilliant return catch.
Sri Lanka also dismissed Abhimanyu Mithun for 41 when Ajantha Mendis bowled him as he tried to paddle sweep a straight ball.
Raina and Tendulkar carried their overnight partnership to 256 runs, an Indian record against Sri Lanka for the fifth wicket, before Raina, on 120, drove off-spinner Mendis to short midwicket.
Tendulkar, who hit 23 fours and a six, was dismissed after tea when he attempted a glance and was caught off bat and pad by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene who had missed him on 29.
Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 following their 10-wicket victory in the first test in Galle.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka first innings 642-4 dec (T. Paranavitana 100, K. Sangakkara 219, M. Jayawardene 174)
India first innings (382-4 overnight)
M. Vijay lbw b Mendis 58
V. Sehwag st P. Jayawardene b Randiv 99
R. Dravid lbw b Randiv 3
S. Tendulkar c P. Jayawardene b Dilshan 203
VVS Laxman lbw b Mendis 29
S. Raina c Sangakkara b Mendis 120
M.S. Dhoni c & b Dilshan 76
H. Singh c Sangakkara b Dilshan 0
A. Mithun b Mendis 41
I. Sharma not out 10
P. Ojha not out 0
Extras: (b-9, lb-5, nb-12, w-4) 30
Total: (nine wickets; 198 overs) 669
Fall of wickets: 1-165 2-169 3-173 4-241 5-497 6-592 7-592 8-643 9-668
To bat: P. Ojha
Bowling: Prasad 19-1-96-0 (4-nb), Fernando 31-1-116-0 (5-nb, 3-w), Mathews 9-1-24-0 (1-w), Randiv 64-14-212-2, Mendis 54-7-157-4 (3-nb), Dilshan 21-4-50-3.