Virender Sehwag missed his century by just one run while debutant Suresh Raina was the other notable performer with a sparkling unbeaten 66.
If Mahela Jayawardene broke the legendary Donald Bradman’s record for most hundreds (10) at a single venue on Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar, the ‘Don’ of our times, bettered his own by cracking his 48th Test century on Day Three of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground here on Wednesday.
On a day when Virender Sehwag threw his wicket away while on 99, it was Tendulkar’s unbeaten 108 and debutant Suresh Raina’s matured knock (66*) that saved India from any further casualties, and guided them to a relatively secure 382 for 4. India are 61 runs short of the follow-on mark.
Sehwag, who had given India a bold start on Day Two, dominated the bowlers on Wednesday as well. He dished out his solid backfoot punches and drives. Surviving two chances, he then stepped out to hit debutant off-spinner Suraj Randiv and missed on a wrong’un that saw Prasanna Jayawardene stump him with ease.
Sri Lanka were suddenly in command. Suraj dominated with his high-arm off-spinners, while Ajantha Mendis puzzled them from the other end. Some consistent bowling got them Murali Vijay and Rahul Dravid. Vijay, 58, playing on the backfoot to Mendis, missed an incoming ball and was trapped right in front. Dravid fell in the same manner to Randiv.
Tendulkar was, however, unnerved. His knock comprised copybook shots. Those cover drives, flicks and cuts between point and third man — everything was on display.
Tendulkar and VVS Laxman steadied the ship. They played a wait-and-watch game, dealing in singles and doubles, while scoring boundaries off bad balls. The duo enjoyed a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket till mystery spinner Mendis trapped Laxman plumb in front.
India took tea at 243/4. Things didn’t look promising as Suresh Raina — with no Test experience — joined Tendulkar. But the youngster, who replaced an unfit Yuvraj Singh, proved everyone wrong by playing a matured innings.
Tendulkar, meanwhile, reached his 48th ton in style, sweeping Randiv for a boundary. Off came the helmet and that customary glance at the sky. Raina became the 22nd Indian batsmen to score a half-century on debut. The third session clearly belonged to India. Tendulkar and Raina continued their domination and the duo added 139 runs without being separated.
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