Sri Lanka completely dominated the proceedings on Day 3 of the Ahmedabad Test as they piled up their highest ever total in India. The visitors ended the day’s play at a commanding 591 for 5 with former Captain Mahela Jayawardene still unfinished on 204 (from 339 balls with 17 fours and a six). Giving him company since the last 70 overs or so is Wicket Keeper Prasanna Jayawardene who has moved onto 84 (from 186 balls with 4 fours). The two Jayawardenes are in an unbroken stand of 216 runs for the sixth wicket and have taken Sri Lanka to a handsome first innings lead of 165.

It was a terrible day for the Indian bowlers with only two wickets to show for their hard work. The overnight batsmen – Mahela Jayawardene and Samaraweera saw through the first hour of play to shut the door on any chances of an Indian win by reducing the deficit under 100. India finally got the breakthrough in the 87th over when Yuvraj Singh at squareleg took a sharp catch offered by a pull shot from Samaraweera (70 from 145 balls). At the stroke of lunch, Mahela Jayawardene lost Angelo Mathews when the all-rounder was wrongly given caught at short leg off Harbhajan Singh.

Sri Lanka went to lunch at 375 for 5 which provided India the chance of cutting down on a possible lead. However, the pitch was too flat for taking wickets in a hurry and the Indians were defied by yet another big partnership with Mahela Jayawardene remaining as the cornerstone. Along with Prasanna Jayawardene, he defied the Indian bowlers in the post lunch session and the post tea session. The visitors now call the shots in this match and have forced India into a position where they can only fight for a draw.

Tags: Ahmedabad, India Vs Sri Lanka, Indian Cricket, Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lankan Cricket