Top 5 Test matches between India and Sri Lanka

#3 Colombo (PSS) – 2010

VVS Laxman's 103 in the fourth innings helped India level the series 1-1.

The 2010 Test series in Sri Lanka will be fondly remembered for Muttiah Muralitharan’s farewell Test match in Galle (first Test in Galle) where he finished a celebrated career with a staggering 800 Test scalps. It was also a winning farewell for the Lankan spin-legend.

But after a poor first Test, India came back well in the series. After playing out a high-scoring draw in the second Test, India needed to win to level the series. After choosing to bat first, the hosts posted 425 on the back of Samaraweera’s unbeaten 137 along with some useful contributions from Mahela Jayawardene (56) and Kumar Sangakkara (75).

India managed to gain a slender lead of 11 runs as they scored 436 with Virender Sehwag scoring a brilliant run-a-ball 109. Laxman (56), Raina (62) and Tendulkar (41) made some useful contributions as well. But it was the second innings that changed the complexion of the game. At 125/8, the game looked done and dusted for the Lankans but Samaraweera (83) and Ajantha Mendis (78) bailed them out of trouble as they set India a tricky target of 257.

Batting in the fourth innings of a Test isn’t easy especially in the subcontinent and India found themselves in early trouble as they were reduced to 62/4 early on the fifth day. But Laxman scored an unbeaten 103 to turn the visitors' fortunes. He batted beautifully along with Tendulkar (54) and Raina (41*) to help India get over the line and level the series 1-1.