Kumar Sangakkara induced authority to the Sri Lanka batting on his way to scoring his 17th Test hundred (107 n.o) as Sri Lanka ended the day at 251 for 6 with a slender two run first innings lead with four wickets intact when bad light stopped play with six overs still to be bowled on the second day of the Third and final Test match at the P.Sara Stadium yesterday.

Sangakkara walked in at the fall of Michael Van Dort's wicket in the morning, when the tall left hander was leg before wicket to Zaheer Khan after a disappointing 14 when the total was 42, Sangakkara batted in his customary sense of class and stability carrying out his bat at the end of the day occupying the crease for 330 minutes, facing 226 deliveries and stroking 11 fours while the others fell to the pace and spin combination of Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble in a good post lunch session for India. Sri Lanka continued from their 14 for 1 overnight score with the news of V.V.S.Laxman not taking the field being injured at a tap rugger session while warming up on the beginning of the second day.

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara (R) raises his bat as he is applauded by the crowd after completing his century (100 runs) as Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh (L) looks on during the second day of the third and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka at The P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo on August 9, 2008.

Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara provided the substance to the Sri Lankan innings with a stand of 95 runs for the third wicket off 184 balls in 119 minutes. Sangakkara atoned his earlier failures in the series while for Vaas coming as a nightwatchman would have been a blessing in disguise.

In fact Vaas had scored his first Test hundred against Bangladesh and would have certainly been aiming at his second hundred while defying the Indian bowlers. The two southpaws brought the score from 42 to 137 when Vaas went for an uppish square drive and Sehwag accepted the catch at cover point.

Sangakkara and Vaas had paced their stand well in their third wicket stand, however both Sangakkara and Vaas had their slice of luck with the score at 101 for 2 Rahul Dravid could not cling on to a Sangakkara (34) snick and Vaas when 47 was let off by Sachin Tendulkar off bat-pad.

Tendulkar fell heavily on his elbow while diving and left the field, Anil Kumble was the unlucky bowler on both occasions. Injuries to key players seemed to be haunting the Indian players and Ishant Sharma became a casualty when he pulled his hamstring while on his delivery stride and Harbhajan Singh had to bowl the remaining three deliveries.

Then wicket keeper Patel was hit on the face off Anil Kumble's fast delivery which reared up, and was forced to keep with a helmet. However, all four players are expected to take part in the match.

After the dismissal of Vaas, skipper Mahela Jayawardena strode into the wicket at a time where the Indian spinners were bowling at their best. Jayawardena while sweeping was judged leg before wicket to Harbhajan Singh for 2 when third umpire. Billy Doctrove concurred with the decision of the head umpire Rudhi Koertszen when the Sri Lankan skipper reffered the decision to the TV umpire. An irresponsible piece of batting on the part of Sri Lankan skipper who should have settled down to give his side a substantial lead on a pitch that makes batting difficult towards the latter stages of the match.

Had India taken their chances, Sri Lanka would have struggled more in achieving their lead. At lunch, Sri Lanka were 114 for 2 with Sangakkara unbeaten on 44 facing 70 balls with five fours and Vaas 39 n.o with eight fours.

In the post lunch session spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh held sway and kept the score right in check. They shared 28 overs among themselves and 61 runs were scored for the loss of 2 wickets.

The Indian bowlers had a thankless task , they had no help from the pitch and all they could do was to bowl a length and keep the batsmen quite in the hope of improvement.

INDIA - 1ST INNINGS 249
(G. Gambhir 72; A. Mendis 5-56)
SRI LANKA -1ST INNINGS

M. Vandort lbw b Zaheer 14
M. Warnapura b Sharma 8
C. Vaas c Sehwag b Harbhajan 47
K. Sangakkara not out 107
M. Jayawardene lbw b Harbhajan 2
T. Samaraweera c Patel b Zaheer 35
T. Dilshan lbw b Kumble 23
P. Jayawardene not out 1
EXTRAS (b2, lb9, nb1, w2) 14
TOTAL (for six wickets) 251

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-14 (Warnapura), 2-42 (Vandort), 3-137 (Vaas),
4-141 (M. Jayawardene), 5-201 (Samaraweera), 6-244 (Dilshan).
BOWLING: Zaheer 20-4-57-2 (nb1), Sharma 15.3-3-33-1,
Harbhajan 31.3-8-81-2 (w2), Kumble 24-2-68-1, Sehwag 1-0-1-0.
Overs 92