Sri Lanka replies with massive score, Jayawardene’s double ton

By Tanmay S
for Cricketain.com

Published: November 19, 2009

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India Vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test

Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad: This test match is a story of centuries and century partnerships. In a run riot in Ahmedabad, Sri Lanka put up a massive score of 760 for 7 wickets as the Indian spinners were left clueless by Mahela Jaywardene’s heroic 275 in reply to India’s 426 all out during the first innings. Ahmedabad’s slow and dead pitch has much to offer to the batsmen. As far as this test is concerned, in a matter of only two innings, 5 centuries were scored, starting with Rahul Dravid, followed by MS Dhoni, Dilshan, Mahela Jaywardene and Prasanna Jaywardene. Over 1400 runs were scored in this batting feast at the end of 4th day.

Gary Kirsten, the Indian coach said that he was disappointed with the effort of the spinners as it took them over 100 overs to claim a single wicket although their dismal performance was also worsened by lack of help whatsoever from the track.

Scoring 426 during the first innings with two stylish centuries from Dravid and Dhoni, the Indian team went back to the pavilion, perhaps satisfied with the fact that they managed a respectable score. But this good feeling didn’t last long for them as Sri Lankan openers gained early momentum and steadily built partnerships. The opening partnership between Dilshan and Parnavitana of 74 was broken by Ishant Sharma but for the second wicket, a partnership of 115 was contributed by Dilshan and Sangakkara. Dilshan departed with a score of 112 and soon Sangakkara followed with a score of 31.

Then entered the double centurion Mahela Jaywardene and plundered the bowlers for a long time during his epic innings. Jayawardene along with Samaraweera continued the run chase as they put another century partnership of 138. Samaraweera was brilliantly caught by Yuvraj Singh off Sharma’s bowling. Mahela Jayawardene was then joined by Prasanna Jaywardene after the departure of Mathews and the duo scored a historic partnership of 351 for the 6th wicket, highest for Sri Lanka.

Mahela Jaywardene played classy innings. He never offered any Indian bowler any chance whatsoever to dominate him. Even bowlers helped him by what seemed as a half hearted effort to claim his wicket. This double century is Jaywardene’s sixth and 12th score of above 150 runs. He replied to spinners with same style and ease as he did to the fast bowlers. Zaheer Khan seemed somewhat successful in posing challenges to other Sri Lankan batsmen and also managed to pick up a couple of wickets but he couldn’t put any pressure on Jaywardene. Jaywardene drove Zaheer Khan for three boundaries off four deliveries in various directions.

India’s ace off spinner, Harbhajan Singh displayed one of his most dismal performances, although he seemed to be trying his best. He conceded more than 150 runs in a single innings, his sixth such performance overall. Youngster Anil Mishra failed to make any mark and impress his captain although he claimed one wicket but in the process conceded the highest, i.e. 203 runs. MS Dhoni seemed baffled ample times as he tried to spread the field but couldn’t stop the flow of runs from Jaywardene’s bat. Although at times he managed to stop boundaries, the Jaywardene pair was skillful enough to snatch singles at will which kept the run rate going.

With a gigantic score of 760 and India starting well during their second innings, the possibility of any team winning the match is almost ruled out. Both teams are competing for higher test rank and a win would surely have been handy. At the end of day’s play on 4th day, India was 190 for the loss of two wickets. Opening pair of Gambhir and Sehwag were unbeaten till tea time but Sehwag departed afterwards scoring a quick 51. Gambhir stood not out at 74 with the night watchman Anil Mishra on 12.

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