Venkatsai Laxman overcame back spasms to hit an unbeaten 103 as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final Test on Saturday to draw the three-match series 1-1. Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 54 and Suresh Raina made 41 not out to help India surpass a challenging target of 257 just before tea on the fifth day at the P. Sara Oval.
Raina smashed seamer Chanaka Welegedera over mid-on for a six to signal the series-levelling win after Sri Lanka had taken the opening Test by 10 wickets, while the second was drawn. Laxman, aged 35, and Tendulkar, 37, shared a match-winning partnership of 109 runs for the fifth wicket in what was probably the last Test innings for the two veterans on Sri Lankan soil.
Laxman was on 60 when he developed back spasms and called for a runner in Virender Sehwag after being treated by team physiotherapist Nitin Patel on the field. Raina, playing only his second Test, hit four fours and a six during an unbroken stand of 87 for the sixth wicket with Laxman. Laxman's exquisite strokeplay inspired the Indians to ward off the threat of the Sri Lankan spinners exploiting the bounce and turn on a fifth-day wicket.
Tendulkar, the world's leading run-getter, marked his record 169th Test appearance with a dour half-century during a three-hour vigil at the crease. Sri Lanka should have got rid of Tendulkar when he was on 18, but Tillakratne Dilshan floored a simple catch at forward short-leg off Randiv. Tendulkar fell in the fifth over after lunch when he gloved a sweep off Randiv and was taken smartly down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the win answered critics who wrote off the team after the first Test. "There was a lot said about us when we lost the first Test, that our bowling was weak and the batsmen were not doing enough," said Dhoni.
Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara conceded Laxman took the match away, but rued the lack of support for Randiv and the meagre total of 267 in their second innings. "Laxman was fantastic and Sachin also played really well, but it would have helped if someone had backed Randiv," said Sangakkara. "The guys can be proud of their effort all through the series. In this game we were found wanting with our batting, especially in the second innings. India and Sri Lanka will now be joined by New Zealand for a limited-overs tri-series that opens in Dambulla on August 10.
SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka 1st innings: 425
India 1st innings: 436
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Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 267
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India 2nd innings (overnight 53-3):
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M. Vijay c Jayawardene b Randiv 27
V. Sehwag c M. Jayawardene b Randiv 0
R. Dravid b Randiv 7
Tendulkar c P. Jayawardene b Randiv 54
I. Sharma c Sangakkara b Randiv 4
V. Laxman not out 103
S. Raina not out 41
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Extras: (b5, lb6, w2, nb9) 22
Total: (for five wickets, 68.3 overs) 258
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