5 memorable India and Sri Lanka Encounters in Tests

#4 2nd Test: Sri Lanka v India at Galle, Jul 31-Aug 3, 2008

First Test - India v South Africa: Day 3

It was the second Test match of the 2008 series. India had already lost the first match at the SSC in Colombo. And they were determined to make their way back into the series. Winning the toss, the then Indian Captain, Anil Kumble, chose to bat first. The Indian openers, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, got India off to a flying start with a 167-run stand between them. However, once Gambhir departed for 56, Sehwag started running out of partners. Although, he made his way to a terrific double hundred, an unbeaten innings of 201 runs, India got bowled out for only 329 runs as Ajantha Mendis claimed 6/117.

The Indian bowlers responded to the situation well as they restricted Sri Lanka to a score of 292 runs in their first innings, thus gaining a lead of 37 runs. Kumar Sangakkara, Malinda Warnapura and Mahela Jayawardene were the only players to go past the score of fifty. Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 6/102.

Extra cover: SK Elite: Virender Sehwag's 201 not out against Sri Lanka at Galle

The same story followed for India in the second innings as Sehwag (50) and Gambhir (74) were the only batsmen who seemed to be at ease against the Lankan bowlers. Once they departed with India’s score reading 144/2, the rest of the batsmen fell like a pack of cards. India lost 8/125 as they were bowled out for 269 runs, thus setting Sri Lanka a target of 317 runs.

However, the Indian bowlers once again rose to the occasion and bowled Sri Lanka out for a paltry 136 runs. Thilan samaraweera was the only one who offered some resistance with a knock of 67 runs. Harbhajan Singh was once again fabulous as he picked up 4/51 with the ball. India thus won the match by 170 runs and Virender Sehwag was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’.