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Sangakkara and Dilshan steady Sri Lanka in third test

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara shared a second wicket stand of 87 to help steady Sri Lanka after a nervy start to the final test against India.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the hosts were 102 for two wickets on Tuesday, needing only a draw to claim the series 1-0.

India, however, struck a decisive blow in the final over of the session when Murali Vijay produced a sharp piece of fielding at silly point to claim the wicket of Dilshan.

The opener had scored 41 when he stepped out for a single after playing down a no-ball from Pragyan Ojha and Vijay flicked the ball back to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who broke the stumps with Dilshan’s bat in the air.

Sangakkara who was dropped by Suresh Raina in the slips on 23 looked ominous at the crease making use of the miss to remain unbeaten on 48, having hit one six and four fours.

India picked up an early wicket in the fourth over of the morning after Sangakkara had won this third straight toss.

There was a lot of movement on the pitch for the bowlers and Ishant Sharma got one ball to move away from Tharanga Paranavitana (8), who went for a drive and edged a catch to Dhoni.

Sri Lanka’s hopes of winning the series were boosted earlier when they were able to name fast bowler Lasith Malinga in their side after he recovered from a knee injury.