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Match heads for an exciting finish on Day 5

Related Links : India’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2010 : India Player Pages : Sri Lanka Player Pages : Scorecard of Sri Lanka Vs India, 3rd Test at P Sara Oval, Colombo

India finished an eventful Day 4 at the P Sara Oval in Colombo at 53 for 3 in their second innings after being asked to chase a stiff target of 257 on a turning pitch. A lot depends on the legend Sachin Tendulkar if India has to pull out a victory on the final day. Tendulkar on 11* will start the fifth day’s proceedings along with night watchman Ishant Sharma. It was off spinner Suraj Randiv who had wrecked the top order taking three wickets that of Sehwag, Dravid and Vijay!

Earlier in the day, India had put Sri Lanka on the mat at 87 for 7 but the gritty Thilan Samaraweera pulled out a couple of crucial partnerships to rescue his team. His 9th wicket stand with Ajantha Mendis was a sensational one which lasted for more than a full session to put up as many as 118 runs! Samaraweera was dismissed by the extra zip off the second new ball. He missed out in scoring a century in both the innings of the match after gloving Mithun’s short pitch delivery to Dhoni. Samaraweera made 83 from 139 balsl with 6 fours. Ajantha Mendis on the other hand enjoyed his unusually long stay at the wicket to smack a career best 78 from 157 balls with 10 fours and a six.

India’s best bowler of the day was left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha who picked up 3 for 89. Amit Mishra also got three wickets, two of those coming in consecutive deliveries to remove the all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Prasanna Jayawardene.