Mumbai, Dec 4 (IANS) Opening batsman Virender Sehwag fell seven runs short of his third triple ton as India made 536 for three in the first innings, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 393, at lunch on the third day of the third and the final Test match here Friday.
At the break, Sachin Tendulkar was batting on 48 and V.V.S. Laxman on 22 as India stretched the lead to 143 runs by the lunch break at the Brabourne Stadium.

Resuming at the overnight score of 443 for one, India lost two quick wickets as Sri Lanka took a sigh of relief.

Sehwag (293) added just nine runs to his overnight score and missed out on the opportunity to become the first batsman to get three triple centuries. Muttiah Muralitharan juggled to take an easy catch off his own bowling to end Sehwag’s scintillating knock and his 237-run partnership for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (74). Sehwag’s 254-ball innings was studded with 40 fours and seven sixes and lasted six hours.

Dravid also departed soon, edging Chanaka Walegedera’s away going delivery to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jaywardene.

Tendulkar and Laxman then played cautiously for their 53-run unfinished partnership as India took lunch with a handsome lead.

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 its first Test match in 36 years.