« Back to article

Print this article

Grand double by Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene gave a fine exhibition of skill and temparament to score a crafty unbeaten 204 as Sri Lanka took control of the first Test against India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

At close on the third day, the visitors had established a commanding 165-run first innings lead.

Jayawardene anchored the innings brilliantly to notch his 27th Test century and his sixth double ton.

Jayawardene unstoppable

Jayawardene dominated the proceedings on Day 3 as he posted his second double century against India.

He added 138 runs for the fourth wicket with Thilan Samaraweera, who scored 70 before he was brilliantly caught by Yuvraj Singh at square leg, trying to pull a short delivery from Ishant Sharma.

The former Sri Lanka captain completed his double century with a quick single to mid-off; he took 330 deliveries to reach the landmark and hit 17 boundaries and a six.

At close of play, Sri Lanka were 591 for five.

Prasanna Jayawardene solid

Mahela Jayawardene got good support from namesake Prasanna Jayawardene, who finished the day on 84 not out from 186 deliveries. The two batsmen added 216 runs for the fifth wicket.

Mahela and Prasanna were never in any discomfort and went on to create a record sixth-wicket partnership, erasing the previous unbeaten record of 189 by Aravinda De Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga against Zimbabwe at Colombo in 1998.

This was only the second time Sri Lanka have taken a first-innings lead in India, and only the first time they have crossed 450 in the country.