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Prasanna's perseverance pays off

India are fighting gallantly to save the first Test against Sri Lanka but still not out of danger. At the end of Day 4, the home side was 190 for 2 in their second innings, still trailing by 144 runs, after the tourists amassed 760 for 7 declared in their first innings.

Mahela Jayawardene smashed a splendid 275 and Prasanna Jayawardene finished unbeaten on 154, the duo putting on a world record partnership of 351 runs in 592 deliveries for the sixth wicket as they stayed at the crease for 97.3 overs.

A record for the Jayawardenes

Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene's partnership eclipsed the previous record of 346 runs, set by Australians Don Bradman and John Fingleton against England in 1937.

Mahela was bowled by leg-spinner Amit Mishra; he stepped down the wicket but was beaten as the ball spun sharply from the rough outside the leg stump. His 275 was inclusive of 27 boundaries and a six and came off 435 balls.

Prasanna finished unbeaten on 154 from 314 deliveries, inclusive of 11 boundaries, as Sri Lanka declared their innings at the fall of Dammika Prasad's wicket, for 21, caught at midwicket off Harbhajan Singh [

Gambhir leads India's fightback

Gautam Gambhir led India's fightback with a fluent unbeaten half-century. The left-hand opener was unbeaten on 74 from 115 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries, as India put up 190 for 2 after 45 overs in their second innings.

Keeping him company at stumps was night-watchman Amit Mishra, on 12 off 25 deliveries.

Gambhir brought up his half-century, his 11th in Tests, off 76 deliveries, with a single on the leg side in the 31st over.

Dravid unlucky

India will rue the dismissals of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid who were both out after getting good starts.

Sehwag stroked a quick 51 from 67 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries before holing out to Angelo Mathews off the bowling of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath in the first over after the tea break.

Dravid looked solid on 38 from 66 deliveries before being adjudged leg before wicket to Chanaka Welegedera. Television replays suggested that the delivery that swung in would have missed the stumps.