Thaindian News

Mumbai, Dec 3 (IANS) Openers Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay gave India a promising start after bowlers wrapped up the Sri Lankan tail for 393 runs in the first innings on the second day of the third and final cricket Test here Thursday.
At lunch, India were 93 without loss with Virender Sehwag batting on 53 and Murali Vijay on 38. Both batsmen scored at a brisk rate and spanked the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Sehwag was the more aggressive of the two and hit five fours and two sixes. Vijay, playing his second Test match, looked composed but punished the loose deliveries.

Sehwag got to his 6,000 Test runs in style by hitting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a big six over the bowler’s head. He also became the third fastest Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar to score 6,000 runs in Test cricket. Gavaskar achieved the mark in 117 innings, Tendulkar in 120 and Sehwag took 123 innings.

Earlier, Sri Lanka could add just 27 runs to their overnight score of 366 for eight. Angelo Matthews was unfortunate to get run out one short of his maiden Test century and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha trapped Chanaka Welegedara leg before wicket to wrap up the innings.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh picked up four for 112 while Ojha bagged three for 107.

India lead the series 1-0 and a win here will propel them to the top spot in Test rankings. The historic Brabourne Stadium is hosting the first Test match in 36 years.