Colombo, Aug 7 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman kept alive India’s hopes for a win in the third and final cricket Test with their unfinished 83-run stand in the second innings against Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval here Saturday.
Tendulkar was batting on 50 and Laxman at 46 as India made 145 for four in their second innings at lunch while chasing a victory target of 257. India now need 112 runs to win the Test and level the series.
Sri Lanka made 425 in the first innings and 267 in their second. India were bowled out for 436 in their first innings.
Resuming at the overnight score of 53 for three, India lost nightwatchman Ishant Sharma (4), caught at short mid-wicket off Randiv, in the fourth over of the day.
It was the off-spinner’s fourth wicket in the innings, having picked up Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay and Rahul Dravid in the last session Friday.
But Laxman and Tendulkar settled in and brought up the 50 runs of their partnership in quick time.
Sri Lanka missed fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who went off the field after bowling just two overs amid fears that he had aggravated a chronic knee injury.
