Sri Lanka did lose the lone wicket of Malinda Warnapura to Ishant Sharma. But as Sri Lanka end the day without too much damage, there is no reason to believe Sri Lanka need suffer the same fate as India. It may well be a low scoring match but one look at the manner in which India batted it should have given the Sri Lankans a lesson in how not to bat when dawn arrives tomorrow.
Another five wicket haul for Ajantha Mendis and one wonders how the Indian team managed to get themselves so entangled. If the last wicket pair could hang on, why the top order play as if they were batting on landmines?
Dammika Prasad seemed to have delivered a blow enough to subdue the Indians. In an ideal scenario, it should not have happened to this batting line up. But the manner in which they cowered before and after tea did not do wonders for their reputation, especially when one sees that Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have scored more runs than some of the well known names in this innings.
The spinners came into action as did Jayawardene and what was saw did not please the dressing room. Clueless, spineless, these are the words that come to mind watching India bat with their tail between their legs. If India have been saved embarrassment, it would have to be said that the last wicket partnership, where Zaheer and Ishant did more than hang around, shouldered grit in defense and fearless in attack.
That the pair put on fifty-one runs that gave India more respectability at 249 goes to show that perhaps the Indians played overcautiously and played right into the hands of the spinners around tea. The Sri Lankans though are being rewarded for backing unorthodoxy in fielding unconventional bowlers and the results against a line up like India will certainly do well for the confidence of both young men, who are writing themselves into a stronghold.
Is India once again played the hospitality role to the hilt? It is time to stop playing big brother; the small brother has certainly grown up fast and showing readiness to sit on the Asian throne.

Morning fire:

Easy to say – it has been a fast and furious morning for Sri Lanka and for India. The game is still very open in this final Test but Sri Lankan have drawn blood once again with a rookie, leaving the India’s famed batting order shocked.
India have relied on their belligerent openers since the duo combined with lethal effect on the summer of the IPL. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have carried on as if change in clothing has changed little for their game. Like bowlers who hunt in pairs, this opening pair has shaken and stirred a few teams since the IPL with their combination and prolific form. For an opposition to have a change, this pair had to be dismissed.
Mahela Jayawardene was not happy about the prospect of bowling first. But after lunch, the result of the toss would have been far from his mind. What would have pleased him immensely is that the inclusion of new cap Dammika Prasad has worked wonders for the team and brought a shock of pace for the Indians after the web of spin that has had them entangled.
Sehwag only did what most batsmen would have when facing a delivery of such immaculate line and length. He edged to the wicket keeper and almost immediately turned around in surprise. Dammika Prasad had tasted first blood and would go for the kill. Rahul Dravid must be thinking that not only has his usual self been belied and form deserted him but only cricket must be against him. In the last game, the umpire inadvertently tried to give him a reprieve only for a ruthless Jayawardene to ask for a review and win it in the team’s favour.
This is now a new mode of dismissal for Dravid – not out umpire, ruled out by Jayawardene and referral system.
To be fair, Dravid’s lbw decision appeared fairly straightforward and Sachin Tendulkar, who has thus far escaped falling prey to Ajantha Mendis, could not avoid the same fatality with the other rookie. Prasad had the big scalp of the morning when he had Sachin Tendulkar adjusted lbw.
In another short session where the reviews have having their fair of the limelight, Tendulkar prodded perhaps by Gambhir decided to stand his ground but it was to no vain and India lost three big wickets on the morning of the first day.