After few swings in the Galle Test, India ended the day with a slight advantage as after restricting Sri Lanka for 292 runs, the visitors have taken a lead of 237 runs at the loss of four wickets on the third day.
Indians played impressively in all departments and definitely looked more at ease against Murali and Mendis. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir deserve special mention as the Delhi dudes played them very sensibly. After scoring unbeaten 201 runs in the first innings, Sehwag slammed a fifty before Chaminda Vaas took his wicket. He added 90 runs for the first wicket along with Gambhir.
Gambhir, who looked to be in good form, gave his wicket to Ajantha Mendis for 74 runs. He hit ten boundaries in his innings. Mendis tricked Gambhir with his off-break that landed outside the off-stump and turned with some bounce to clip the bails.
Vaas got another success in the form of Sachin Tendulkar's wicket. He tested him with his outgoing deliveries in the second innings. Dravid missed out on his fifty as Murali caught him plumb for 44 runs.
In reply to India's first innings total of 329, Sri Lankans were bundled for 292 runs by the spin twin of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble on day three of the second Test.
After claiming four wickets on Day 2, Harbhajan Singh continued with his wicket-taking spree and removed Prasantha Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan. Senior pro and Indian captain, Anil Kumble picked wickets of his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas and Ajantha Mendis.
Harbhajan deceived Prasantha with his flighted delivery, who hit it to the short leg fielder VVS Laxman for 24 runs. Prasantha had added 58 runs for the sixth wicket with Mahela before he completed Bhajji's five-wicket haul.
In the next over, skipper Anil Kumble removed Chaminda Vaas for just one run. Mahela Jayawardene, who held the innings with his knock of 86 runs, was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik and missed out on a well-deserved hundred.
Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muaralitharan, who wreaked havoc with their spin, failed to stand Indian spin attack and went back cheaply.
Amit Varma on Murali
Full report: Day 2