Sri Lanka edge close to win first Test
Published:Wednesday | July 21, 2010 | 12:32 PM
Lasith Malinga's lethal three-wicket spell frustrated India's hopes to save the first test as hosts Sri Lanka edged close to a famous win at the end of day four today.
India, after being forced to follow on, reached stumps at 181 for five, needing 63 more just to make Sri Lanka bat again and avoid defeat by an innings.
Sachin Tendulkar has so far top scored for India in the second innings with 84, while Rahul Dravid made 44.
Earlier, retiring offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan bagged his 67th five-wicket haul to dismiss India for 276 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 520 for eight declared.
India had resumed today on 140 for three.
Opener Virender Sehwag was unbeaten on 85 went on to make his century. He was dismissed for 109. Yuvraj Singh supported with 52, while Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with 33.
Muralitharan was the most successful for Sri Lanka with five for 63.