India weakened by injuries

India took the field on the third day of the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka without Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma who are nursing injuries which were sustained on the second day.

An MRI scan revealed a swelling in Tendulkar's left elbow which he jarred while attempting a catch in the 47th over of Sri Lanka's innings. His hand was immediately wrapped in an icepack and his elbow movements are not comfortable at present. Laxman was still unable to bear full weight on his left ankle which he sprained before the second day's play while doing a fielding exercise. He did not take the field and underwent an MRI at a local hospital. Both Laxman and Tendulkar were expected to bat in India's second innings.

India's bowling attack took a hit when Ishant limped off the field after falling to the ground while bowling his 16th over. A muscle in Ishant's right buttock was the source of his discomfort and he was unable to continue bowling. He has a right glutues muscle contusion confirmed by an MRI and is unable to bear weight on that side.

Parthiv Patel also copped a blow on the nose from an edge off Sangakkara's bat and suffered a minor cut. He was kept under observation overnight but was passed fit to keep on the third day.