It is a credit to both teams that despite the overkill of cricket between the two nations, despite the dead pitch at the SSC, despite the lack of bowling resources, they played out two tense Test matches

It was tough to not spare a thought for Randiv, who bowled skilfully and didn't dish out too many freebies despite his inexperience at the highest level

VVS Laxman has said his century was a very important innings and that he has learnt to ignore the critics who question his place in the side

A testing fifth-day pitch, an accurate rookie spinner, an old foe in Ajantha Mendis and a troublesome back were all thrown at VVS Laxman. Yet, he found a way to sneak past them to see India home

Thilan Samaraweera showed what he was truly made of, and his chemistry with Ajantha Mendis at the crease came at a time when things were going horribly wrong

Plays of the day for the fourth day of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India at the P Sara Oval

Soon after Lasith Malinga joined Thilan Samaraweera in the middle, India stopped attacking the specialist batsman and allowed him easy runs

Virender Sehwag's verbal reaction to defensive/attacking fields to him is as emphatic as it was with the bat

Virender Sehwag has stressed the need for the UDRS after two Indian batsmen were given out caught off the pads

The last three added 86, runs that would be twice as difficult to get when batting last on this crumbling beauty of a Test pitch

Plays of the day for the third day's play between Sri Lanka and India at the P Sara Oval

The Indian bowling unit easily had its best day of the tour. At the heart of it was Pragyan Ojha

Sri Lanka persisted with their strategy of boring Virender Sehwag into a mistake but, at the P Sara Oval, he found a way to overcome the boredom, and still score freely

Plays of the day for the second day of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India at the P Sara Oval

Thilain Samaraweera's innings wasn't captivating, but he handled the spinners effectively and carried the batting after the stars departed after starts

Taunting from visibly drunk fans at the T Murugaser Stand got out of hand at the P Sara Oval, and the victim was Yuvraj Singh, India's 12th man

Losing the toss can't be served as an excuse for India because their spinners failed to create pressure from both ends, and the no-balls were unpardonable

Plays of the day for the opening day of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India at the P Sara Oval

The Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club authorities have accommodated Sachin Tendulkar's request for a higher sightscreen at the Air Force Flats End, but not without a cost

Anything less than 20 wickets won't suffice if the No. 1 side in the world is to go back home with their faces saved