Gambhir Led India's Fightback Trail by 144 runs

Ahmedabad: Opener Gautam Gambhir led India's fightback to save the first Test after a world record sixth-wicket partnership of 351 helped Sri Lanka take control of the game on Thursday.

Gambhir was 74 not out as India reached 190 for two at close of play on day four after overnight batsmen Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out) extended their record stand to help Sri Lanka take a first innings lead of 334.

Sri Lanka, ranked second behind South Africa in the official test rankings, declared their first innings 40 minutes after lunch at 760 for seven, giving themselves a chance of winning a Test in India for the first time.

Gambhir put on 81 for the opening wicket with Virender Sehwag who slammed a chancy 51 and 88 with first-inning centurion Rahul Dravid (38) for the next but India face an uphill task, still 144 runs behind.

Nightwatchman Amit Mishra (12) was keeping Gambhir company after Dravid fell leg-before to Chanaka Welegedara.

Sehwag blasted seven boundaries before falling tamely when he top-edged left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to be caught at mid-on.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene, 204 overnight, fell after lunch while his namesake Prasanna recorded a career-best effort to help Sri Lanka (591 for 5 overnight) post the highest innings score in India by any team.

Brief scores
India: 426 and 190 for 2 (Gambhir 74*, Sehwag 51)
Sri Lanka: 760 for 7 dec (Jayawardene 275, Prasanna 154*, Dilshan 112)
Status: Sri Lanka lead by 144 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

Sri Lanka tour of India, 2009/10 News

Atkinson Inspects Feroze Shah Kotla Pitch [+]

ICC's chief pitch consultant Andy Atkinson inspected the Feroze Shah Kotla pitch which was banned for one year from hosting international matches after the abandoned India-Sri Lanka game last year.

ICC Receives BCCI Report on Kotla Fiasco [+]

The ICC said it's now upto ICC General Manager Dav Richardson and Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle to take a call on the pitch fiasco issue.

ICC Chief Backs New Delhi Despite Pitch Fiasco [+]

New Delhi is still likely to host matches for the 2011 World Cup despite concerns about the pitch, ICC president David Morgan has said.

ICC Talks Tough After Kotla Shame [+]

Delhi could be staring at tough sanctions following Sunday's abandonment of the fifth ODI, though the process could take almost three to four weeks.

ICC to Decide on Kotla in Two Week - Lorgat [+]

Haroon Lorgat said ICC will take a month's time to decide a sanction on Feroz Shah Kotla as an international venue due to the pitch fiasco in the India-Lanka ODI.

Delhi Won't Host South Africa Test - BCCI [+]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has ruled out Delhi as a host to one of the two South Africa Tests to be held early next year.

Kotla May Face WC Ban After Pitch Fiasco [+]

The cancellation of the fifth ODI between Lanka and India in Delhi has put a big question mark on the four games the Ferozeshah Kotla is scheduled to host for the 2011 World Cup.

Kotla Ground May be Suspension 12-24 Months [+]

Play was suspended in the fifth and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka after the pitch at the Ferozeshah Kotla was deemed dangerous.

Ind-SL Kotla ODI Abandoned Due to Unfit Pitch [+]

The dicey pitch conditions at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium forced the match officials to call off the final India-Sri Lanka ODI. India win the series 3-1.

Dhoni Denied Many Changes in Last One-dayer [+]

Indian captain MS Dhoni denied many changes in the playing eleven for the final ODI.