Majestic Mahela puts Sri Lanka in command

Mahela Jayawardene ground the Indian bowlers into the Ahmedabad dust, almost ruling out a defeat for Sri Lanka in the first Test. This was only the second time that Sri Lanka took a first-innings lead in India, and only the first time they crossed 450 in the country. Jayawardene's sixth double-century, and twelfth 150, was one of his easier ones because for more than half his innings India didn't try to take his wicket, and only towards the end was he made to work hard for singles.

Sri Lanka started the day 151 runs behind, knowing they needed a lead of at least 70 runs to compensate for having to bat last on a pitch that was turning. But the problem with that turn was its slowness, and Jayawardene negotiated it comfortably in the morning. The only blotch on Jayawardene's morning came when Amit Mishra drew an edge from him, but the ball died on Rahul Dravid at slip.

Jayawardene made sure India wouldn't feel too excited when he drove Zaheer for three boundaries in four balls: through mid-on, wide of midwicket, and through covers. The last one of those shots took him to 74, and Sri Lanka to within 78 of India's total. The spinners came on soon, and failed to make an impact as Jayawardene started to steadily push the accelerator.

India's bowling was most insipid in the second session and Jayawardene capitalised fully reaching another Test ton that seemed inevitable once he got in. It was a majestic display as he didn't let fatigue get the better of him and reached the double with two overs to go.