SL vs Ind, Day 5: 3rd Test at Colombo Full Highlights Video and Scorecard Sunday 7 August 2010VVS Laxman's 16th Test century ensured India won the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo by five wickets to level the series at 1-1.Third Test, Colombo (P Sara Oval) (day five, close):
India (436 & 258-6) beat Sri Lanka (425 & 267) by five wickets
Close of play
day 1 - Sri Lanka 1st innings 293/4 (TT Samaraweera 65*, AD Mathews 26*, 86.5 over)
day 2 - India 1st innings 180/2 (V Sehwag 97*, SR Tendulkar 40*, 35 over)
day 3 - Sri Lanka 2nd innings 45/2 (KC Sangakkara 12*, S Randiv 0*, 16 over)
day 4 - India 2nd innings 53/3 (SR Tendulkar 11*, I Sharma 2*, 18 over)
day 5 - India 2nd innings 258/5 (68.3 over) - end of match
India began the final day on 53-3, chasing 257 to win, and lost nightwatchman Ishant Sharma early on.
But Sachin Tendulkar (54) and Laxman added 109 for the fifth wicket.
Although Tendulkar fell to Suraj Randiv (5-82), Laxman (103 not out) was joined by Suresh Raina, who smashed 41 not out and won the game by hitting a six.
Laxman's knock was all the more impressive as he was suffering from back spasms and had to use opener Virender Sehwag as a runner.
India came into the final day needing 204 to win, and their already perilous overnight position grew worse when Sharma flicked a Randiv delivery straight to Kumar Sangakkara at short mid-wicket.
Sri Lanka missed a good chance to turn the screw further when Tendulkar, playing in his record 169th Test, was dropped by Tillakaratne Dilshan at short-leg with only 18 runs to his name.
India made the most of this reprieve, with the stand between Tendulkar and Laxman turning the match.
Tendulkar reached his 56th Test 50 in the last over before lunch, with Laxman also reaching the half-century mark immediately after the restart.
The partnership came to an end when Tendulkar was caught behind attempting a sweep shot, helping Randiv claim his first five-wicket haul in only his second Test.
But Suresh Raina took the game to Sri Lanka, particularly against the spinners, and lofted Dilshan over mid-wicket to reduce the target to 50.
With victory in sight, both batsmen upped the scoring rate.
Laxman's 16th Test century was reached with back-to-back boundaries off Ajantha Mendis, and shortly afterwards Raina sealed the win with a six over mid-wicket off the bowling of Chanaka Welegedara.
3rd Test: Sri Lanka v India quotes from the post-match ceremony
Sangakkara: "We put in a good effort through the series. This game we were found wanting with our batting in the second innings. Full credit to the entire team for the effort. this was a very good pitch. The guts shown by Ajantha was amazing. Thilan has been magnificient. Malinga and Randiv were very good. Laxman again played a fantastic innings. Sachin played really well. Randiv bowled very well. A bit more support from the other end would have helped but all the guys can be proud for their efforts."
Man of the Match is Laxman: "It was a great team effort. The bowlers got us back into the game. Today, the partnership between Sachin and myself was crucial to get the momentum back. Gary spoke to me that this is one more opportunity to contribute for team India. This is what we play cricket for. I am glad that I have contributed when the team needed it.Laxman's first Man of the Match award in Tests since the Test against Australia in 2008. This is his fourth.The others being the one in Trinidad against West Indies and that one in Kolkata.
Dhoni: "After the first Test a lot was said about bowling attack and that our batsmen were not stepping up. we proved it here. It was a convincing win. I am very happy with the team. Our batting plan was to soak up the pressure and Tendulkar and Laxman batted really well. This kookaburra ball goes soft after some overs."
Man of the series is Virender Sehwag: "I had a really good time. Last time we lost the series. We have drawn the series now."
Day 5 Sri Lanka v India 3rd Test Full Highlights Video
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