Batsmen continues to dominate on flattish track

At last, India had the last laugh! Sachin took complete control of the situation as he went on to make his 5th double hundred of his career. What a time he could bring this into. He not only rescued India to safety, but kept the hopes of this series alive, with a lead that could turn the tables of the series.

Tendulkar, who had been more sparing in his treatment of fuller deliveries amid pressure on day three, resumed his innings with a cover drive off Suraj Randiv. The seamers, while troubling Tendulkar occasionally with well-directed bouncers, were dealt with more harshly. Dammika Prasad, after striking Tendulkar on the helmet, was cracked for three fours through point; Dilhara Fernando, who induced Tendulkar to play an ill-executed upper cut, was at the receiving end of his trademark straight drive.

Suresh Raina completed a superb century on debut and he has convinced selectors for his stupendous effort. By the age of 23, Raina had seen the whole spectrum even without playing Test cricket. From the Next Big Thing to Greg Chappell's boy, to the IPL star, to the man who couldn't play the bouncer, to the captain who forgot to notify the umpire of the Powerplay, Raina has been through a lot

Raina's chance with the bat would come, though, with Sachin Tendulkar looking for a partner to take India to safety and keep the series alive. Bouncers would be bowled, slog-sweeps would be fret upon, his patience would be tested. Forget the pitch, Raina passed the temperament test. He wasn't in a hurry when Sri Lanka were on the defensive, and when they attacked he duly found the gaps. There was evidence that Raina had worked on how he played the short stuff. Admittedly Dilhara Fernando's bouncers, aimed at the ribs but misdirected often, were not the best a batsman will have to face, but there were signs Raina had made a conscious attempt to get slightly inside the line and stay out of harm's way. There was enough patience shown in not going for a desperate pull or hook. When he did fend, he kept them down.

The signs of nerves when he was in the 90s belied a man whose biggest improvement over the last year has been in confidence. It was a responsible, efficient, solid effort in his first Test innings. When he punched one down the ground in 126th over, Raina raised his arm in the air as soon as the ball left the bat, knowing the hundred had been achieved, taking him into a select group of Indian centurions on debut, which includes batsmen such as Lala Amarnath, Gundappa Viswanath, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. Joining them is perhaps the easier part. Tougher pitches and better bowlers now await Raina.

Yes, these knocks plus Dhoni's useful contribution ensured that there was a slender lead and again assuring that this match is ending in a draw. This match could be the turning point of the series for India, and only if, Amit Sharma and Munaf Patel are back in the team for the final test, at the expense of Ishant Sharma and Ojha, I am sure, India will end up smiling to face Aussies at home. All the best, Dhoni, to select the best team....U know the team better!!