Sehwag and Sachin stands between Sri Lanka and a 0-2 rout

India, aided by an unbeaten partnership of 88 runs between Sehwag's 97 and Sachin's 40, stand between Sri Lanka and a 0-2 rout. The unbeaten pair, barring some early nervy moments, batted with fluency with Tendulkar flicking Malinga for runs through midwicket and fine leg, and Sehwag using the sweep and not wasting anything short against the spinners.

The day, however, belongs to Thilan Samaraweera, whose unbeaten 137 meant that SL took past the total of 400. His innings consisted of 12 boundaries and 1 six and his partnership with Mathews was vital enough, since the rest of the batsman faltered against a surprisingly-quality bowling by Indians. That 4 wickets fell with just 56 runs did give one a feeling that SL would crumble within 400 runs. But, Samaraweera's innings provided stability and satisfaction to defend the total.

The signs were encouraging for Sri Lanka at the start of the Indian innings with the seamers finding swing while their counterparts had virtually found none. Lasith Malinga found the blockhole and hurled a couple of sharp bouncers, while Chanaka Welegedara got the ball to dart in. But the help from the conditions did not produce the edginess the bowlers would have hoped from the Indian openers, as Sehwag settled in with three consecutive boundaries - through point, mid-on and over midwicket - off Welegedera, who had dismissed him twice in the Galle Test. There was turn and bounce on offer, giving the Indian batsmen the odd nervy moment

Virender Sehwag led an attacking Indian response to Sri Lanka's challenge of a formidable score. There was turn and bounce on offer, giving the Indian batsmen the odd nervy moment



They dismissed M Vijay and Rahul Dravid after both had begun positively, gave Sehwag a reprieve and came close to snaring Sachin Tendulkar.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had accumulated enough to put India under pressure but Sehwag and Sachin jolted their hopes, atleast for the time being...