Set to score 258 by a strong Lankan side, India was in the doldrums at 57/3 and 62/4 ! Then the Indian batsmen went in for a strong rear guard action and emerged victorious. Full marks to Laxman ( 103 no), Sachin ( 54) and Raina *( 41 no ).
This is one of the greatest wins ever. When it was 57/3, we all thought that India was facing the music. To play Mendis and Ranadiv on the last days of the Test is disconcerting to many. But not for Laxam, Sachin and Raina.
Raina proved that he is world class material again today with a majestic 41 no. When Sachin fell at a 171, India had won half the battle. Laxman was all wristy excellence and he scored one of the greatest character innings centuries to bring victory for India. The series is drawn at 1-1.
The Indian team had a point to prove to its detractors. Indian batting line up was earlier defined as one of the best and now that reputation had taken a lot of battering. Today's performance confounded those who dismissed it as a depleted line-up ! There were only four batsmen left at 62/4 and three batsmen rose to the occasion to defend India's reputation ! The experience of Sachin and Laxman showed the way. Also the potential of Raina. Trevor Bailey used to say that it is pressure, " it is the situation " which will take a toll of psyche and nerves of all those involved ! Laxman battled the great pressure and with aid from Sachin and Raina, pulled off one of the best wins ever !
Laxman defied cramps and played the sheet anchor role and was as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. Raina smote Welegedara for a mighty six to seal the fate of Sri Lanka.
257 was a difficult score to chase and India suffered some reverses early on as Sehwag, Vijay, Dravid and Ishant went out cheap. India were in dire straits at 62/4, but then a glorious 109 partnership between Sachin and Laxman changed the complexion of the game.
Sachin had his moments of luck, when he was dropped by T Dilshan off Ranadiv. He was 18 then but he recovered his poise and cracked yet another fifty. He jumped down the track and hit Ranadiv for a mighty four. Laxman, the grand touch artist that he is, leaned forward to a Mendis delivery and turned it to leg for four, thus notching the 50 run partnership between the two which came off 92 balls.
India were comfortably placed at 145/4, but when Tendulkar fell, there was angst in the Indian camp. But Raina disproved all fears as he gave great support to the wristy genius, Laxman. Sachin was dismissed when he gloved a Ranadiv flighter to the wicket keeper. But Laxman's sang-froid and coolness ensured that the great dismissal of Sachin did no harm to India's hopes ! Laxman continued his wristy work and was comfortable, as he was partnered by the inform Raina.
Laxman was adjudged Man of the Match and Sehwag the Man of the Series !
India keeps the numero uno position in Test matches !
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