Sri Lanka continue to dictate terms by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Scorecard:	Sri Lanka v India
Player:	KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene
Event:	India in Sri Lanka 2010

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DateLine: 27th July 2010

 

Sri Lanka continued to pile pressure on the Indian side as they amassed a mammoths core of 624 for the loss of 4 wickets. the score was built on double tone from Sangakkara, ton from Jayawardene and half-century from Samaraweera. Indians in reply scored a brisk 95 in 18 overs thanks to Sehwag's blistering 64.

 

The Indians began the day with the hope of some quick wickets as that would have allowed them to storm back into the match. But unfortunately for them it was not to be. Sangakkara continued from where he left off as he got boundaries of the first two balls he faced. That was ominous signs for the beleaguered Indian side as the bowlers continued to struggle for ideas. With Jayawardene joining the fun Dhoni was forced to opt for a defensive field and that worked in favour of the Lankans as they plundered runs. Sangakkara mixed aggression with caution and once he crossed the 180's the Lankan skipper upped the ante.

 

Boundaries were found regularly as Sangakkara registered his seventh double ton and went into lunch unbeaten. Soon the southpaw began to play expansive shots and he was well caught by Dravid at first slip of Sehwag. Sangakkara and Jayawardene added 193 runs in 50.3 overs. Jayawardene then took the mantle of scoring and Samaraweera joined the fun as the pair ground the listless Indian bowling to dust with some sensible batting.

 

Jayawardene duly completed his 27th test century and his tenth at SSC while Samaraweera motored on to his fifty. The pair added 178 runs in 37.1 overs and the rate at which it was put on deflated the Indians. Once Jayawardene chipped a simple catch to Raina at midwicket off a lackluster Harbhajan Sangakkara called his men in. Sri Lanka put on a massive 642 for the loss of 4 wickets in 159.4 overs.

 

India in reply needed a solid effort from their openers and that was what Sehwag and Murali Vijay provided. While Sehwag attacked Vijay was contend to put away only the bad balls. But the rate at which they scored never wavered till the Lankan bowlers went on the defensive tactics. Sehwag soon brought up his fifty as he along with Murali Vijay added