Cricket story by Gareth Bowman, Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:04:01 GMT


The third day of the third and final Test saw Sri Lanka fight back against India in Ahmedabad. But, it just could be the case of being a little too late in the day as India has already mustered up a sizeable lead of 192.

In the second knock, they managed to put 134 runs on the board after losing five wickets when they went in for tea.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh helped India wrap up Sri Lanka as they could add only 75 runs to their overnight score of 131 for five. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble helped himself by scalping two wickets in his 100th test.

India started disastrously in their second knock, when stand-in captain Virender Sehwag got out in the very first ball of the innings trying to slash Lasith Malinga. He only managed to find Maharoof in the third man who took an easy catch

First-innings centurion VVS Laxman also didn't last too long as he got out at five when he edged a Maharoof delivery to wicket-keeper Sangakkara. Arguably Indi's best batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, also fell making just 19 runs before being adjudged out leg before wicket to Tillakaratne Dilshan.

A battling half-century by Yuvraj Singh managed to salvage the Indian innings.

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