Mumbai, Dec 5 (Inditop.com) Sri Lanka were fighting hard to save the third and the final Test against India as they made 84 for one in the second innings at lunch on the fourth day at the Brabourne Stadium here Saturday.
Tharanga Pranavitana was batting on 42 and Kumar Sangakkara on 22 as Sri Lanka reduced the lead to 249 runs at the lunch break. Tillekaratne Dilshan fell after making 16.
India declared their first innings at 726 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka’s 393.
Resuming at overnight score of 11 for no loss, and 322 runs behind, Sri Lankan openers adopted a cautious approach but Dilshan, for the second time in the match, fell to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Dilshan didn’t offer a shot as the ball hit his pad and umpire Daryl Harper judged him out. TV replays showed the ball was missing leg stump.
Paranavitana then batted fluently for his 42 and along with his captain Sangakkara added 55 runs for the second wicket.
Indian spinners got good purchase from the track, but both Pranavitana and Sangakkara used their feet well to keep them at bay.
India lead the series 1-0 and a win here will propel them to the top spot in Test rankings. The historic Brabourne Stadium is hosting its first Test match in 36 years.
