TEA - DAY 5

SL 249-6 (80 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard

India would be looking to rush their remaining few overs and get to the new ball as soon as possible.

Perera and Mathews doing well to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard moving as Indians are bowling a defensive line and length.

Mishra bowling from round the wicket on the rough outside the leg-stump. Mathews attempts the reverse sweep but can't beat the fielder at point as Mishra concedes just a single.

Perera throws his wicket away with a reckless shot. He attempts the reverse from outside the leg stump but hits it straight into the hands of the fielder at point.

Perera walks back for 70 from 106 balls, adding 135 runs for the sixth wicket with Mathews to give Sri Lanka a sniff for victory.

Herath gets off the mark with a single before Mathews sweeps it fine for two runs.

In Ashwin's next over, Herath survives a huge shout for LBW as he defends a full delivery while being struck on the shoes. The next ball turns and bounces as it turns past the edge of the left-hander's bat.

Kohli playing some tricks here as he misfields in the covers and sees if Mathews would take the single but he doesn't. But he turns the fourth ball from Mishra to fine leg to take one and give Herath just two balls to face.

At tea on Day 5, Sri Lanka reach 249 for six in 80 overs, with Mathews unbeaten on a splendid innings of 110 from 237 balls. They still need another 137 runs for victory with a minimum of 36 overs left in the match.

Perera and Mathews provided good entertainment in the post-lunch session as they adopted a positive outlook to score 115 runs from 33 overs. Perera's wicket towards the end of the session proved to be a major wicket for the Indians. His wicket will change Sri Lanka's approach and they would be unlikely to push for victory after the tea break, with their main aim to bat for a draw.

The second new ball will be available straightaway after the tea break and Indians would be hoping to make it count and finish off the Sri Lankans tailenders.