Colombo, July 28 (IANS) Debutant spinner Suraj Randiv picked up two wickets, including the prized scalp of Virender Sehwag, to reduce India to 173 for three in the first innings, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 642 for four declared at lunch on the third day of the second cricket Test match here Wednesday.
Sehwag missed a deserving century by a run and his dismissal triggered a collapse as India lost three wickets in quick succession in a span of eight runs in the first session after resuming their overnight score of 95 for no loss. Sachin Tendulkar was batting on two and V.V.S. Laxman was yet to open his account as India went for lunch with a deficit of 469 runs.
Sehwag opened the day aggressively by hitting fast bowler Dilhara Fernando for two successive boundaries in the second over of the day that saw India go past the 100-run mark.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was quick to introduce spin in the eighth over with Ajantha Mendis. The mystery spinner almost gave the hosts a breakthrough in his third over, when Thilan Samaraweera dropped Sehwag on 84.
Indiscretion cost Sehwag his wicket and also a century. Sehwag wanted to complete his century in style with a six. He rushed down the track but completely missed the line, giving wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene an easy stumping. Sehwag hit 15 fours in his 101-ball innings.
Mendis trapped Murali Vijay (58) leg before in the very next over and just 17 balls later Randiv got Rahul Dravid (3) leg before as India slumped from 165 for no loss to 173 for three.
