Suresh Raina helps India gain edge

Fortunes ebbed and flowed on the third day with India sneaking ahead by the close. The hosts undermined a blistering knock by Virender Sehwag with early wickets before Suresh Raina and VVS Laxman launched an Indian recovery. When the pair departed in quick succession, India's lower order batted spiritedly to scale Sri Lanka's first-innings total. And Virender Sehwag's double-strike just before stumps gave them the definite edge, setting up a fascinating face-off over the next two days amid conditions more encouraging for the bowlers.

The foundation for the lead was provided by a fighting stand between Suresh Raina and VVS Laxman, who batted positively to narrow down the deficit at a steady rate. The tempo of India's innings, though not as frenetic when Sehwag was blazing away, was healthy enough to ensure their bowlers had a fair go at the hosts in the second innings. This, just after a combination of some attacking bowling and reckless bowling had given Sri Lanka a couple of early breakthroughs.

Raina batted with determination and helped India rebuild - just as he had in friendlier conditions on his way to a debut century at the SSC. Though a touch vulnerable against Suraj Randiv, who got the ball to spit and troubled him with deceptive turn, Raina didn't get bogged down for extended periods, working the singles with Laxman who was a little more composed at the other end. Raina defended assuredly, met the length deliveries with a forward stride and improvised with minimal risk. He pulled, swept and drove Ajantha Mendis, and picked Tillakarate Dilshan for boundaries through the leg side. He looked far more at ease after lunch, slashing Malinga for consecutive boundaries, bringing up his fifty and charging out to Randiv to launch him over extra cover. Raina was eventually done in by the bounce of a carrom ball that he punched straight to short midwicket.