Sri Lanka vs India Third Test 2008: Day One Report
After the first day action of the third and the final test of the series between India and Sri Lanka, the host side seems to be in control. With India getting all out for 249 and Sri Lanka reaching 14 losing the wicket of opener Malinda Warnapura, it is apparent that India is under pressure at this moment. India’s worry might be increased by the fact that the wicket of P.Saravanamuttu Stadium does not seem to be unplayable as it was also proven by India’s last two batsmen: Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma- who contributed joint highest 51 runs in their 10th wicket stand.
Reaching 51 for 0 within 7.1 overs, Indian openers provided enough justification of Anil Kumble’s decision of choosing bat first after winning the toss. Both Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir started off very well, but when they departed on 51, Indian batsmen started scrambling. Sehwag got out for 21 off an excellent delivery from Sri Lanka’s debutant pacer Dammika Prasad, who later picked up the wickets of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar leaving India 102 for 3.
After Prasad damaged India’s top order, the responsibility of restricting Indian middle order lied upon Sri Lankan spinners, and Muralitharan and Mendis played their parts pretty successfully. In fact, Ajantha Mendis achieved his second five wicket haul in 3-test career, giving no chance to Indian batsmen to build up the innings. Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir tried to do some, but failed to carry on their 49-run fourth wicket stand when Ganguly edged to the first slip off Muralitharan on 35, the second highest of India’s first innings. Gambhir once again failed to reach a deserving three-figure as got out off Mendis for 72. Laxman and wicket keeper Parthiv Patel got out for 25 and 13 respectively. When India lost their ninth wicket on 198, it looked India might not reach 200-run mark, but Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma showed much resistance against Sri Lankan bowlers.
It seems that Sri Lanka has found youngsters easy to come by these days. With Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis already showed their class, Dammika Prasad is the new man waiting to join the brigade now. Taking three top order wickets which broken the head of Indian batting line up, Dammika Prasad showed he has what it takes to become a future star. Sri Lankan, however, did not have a great start as they already lost the wicket of in-form opener Malinga Warnapura. At stumps, Michael Vandort and Chaminda Vaas were batting on 3 and 0 respectively.
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