Sangakkara played patiently to make a century and put Sri Lanka in lead. He made 107 off 226 balls with 11 boundaries. The night watchman Chaminda Vaas made 47 and frustrated India in the first session. Harbhajan picked up the wickets of Vaas and Mahela Jayawardene. Khan and Ishant picked up one wicket each on the day while Kumble got Dilshan out for LBW. At end of the day Sri Lanka scored 251/6 with Sangakkara still batting on 107 and Prasanna Jayawardene on 1.

Gambhir excels but same story repeats in India’s third test with Sri Lanka

With six wickets lost and only tail left after one wicket, Sri Lanka may not accumulate much lead. But whatever lead Sri Lanka accumulates, how small it may be, will be invaluable as this appears to be a low scoring match. Historically it gets difficult to score freely as match progresses.

India has been depending heavily on Sehwag and Gambir for batting in this series as the middle order is completely out of form. If Sri Lanka can pick up the wickets of India openers early they will have huge advantage and can tighten screws on remaining out of form Indian batsmen.

Score:

India (1st innings): 249 all out in 80 overs (Gambhir 72, Mendis 5/56, Prasad 3/82)

Sri Lanka (1st innings): 251/6 (Sangakkara 107*, Vaas 47, Zaheer 2/57, Harbhajan 2/81)

Sri Lanka lead by 2 runs.