Tendulkar gets fifth double 100

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP):

Sachin Tendulkar scored his fifth double-century in Test cricket to help India reach 669-9 at stumps on day four Thursday, as the second Test against Sri Lanka headed toward a high-scoring draw.

Tendulkar shared 256 runs for the fifth wicket with Suresh Raina, who scored a debut century in India's reply to Sri Lanka's first innings score of 642-4 declared.

The 37-year-old Tendulker is the most prolific run-getter in both Test and limited-overs cricket.

With a 27-run first innings lead for India and just a day's play remaining, the match is heading to a draw at Sinhalese Sports Club.

"I don't count the runs that I am scoring. It's nice to be scoring runs and I am enjoying as much being in the middle as in the past," Tendulkar said.

He said Raina, who made his Test debut after playing 98 one-day matches, has disproved critics who doubted his qualities as a Test player.

Terrific innings

"He showed tremendous character," Tendulkar said. "He was solid in defence and played some magnificent shots.

"I thought this particular innings was terrific because when he got in to bat it was a tricky time. At that time a big partnership was needed and both of us were able to do something special."

India were vulnerably placed on 241-4 on Wednesday needing 200 more runs to avoid the follow-on when Tendulkar and Raina paired together.