India 249 and 161 for 5 (Dravid 46*, Mendis 2-39, Prasad 2-46) lead Sri Lanka 396 (Sangakkara 144, Prasanna 49, Prasad 36) by 14 runs
2000 Test series between India and Sri Lanka has been a see-saw(-see) series. In the third and final Test, Sri Lanka is in control of the Test on third day. Unless a miracle happens, Sri Lanka is poised to win the Test and with that the series.
If we look back, the first Test was completely dominated by the home team. India was forced to follow-on with tremendous batting prowess displayed by the home team. India lost with a very poor performance, loosing by an innings and 223 runs. India's batsmen lacked confidence and the Sri Lankan Spinners were on the top of their performance.
Second Test was not dominated by either side at anytime, though the visitors had a little edge. Harbhajan claimed 10 wickets to spin India to a victory by 170 runs. Again, the Indian batsmen showed no sign of life except for Sehwag who was declared man of the match for his double century in the first innings.
The third Test is in progress with a clear dominance by the home team. Like the first two Tests, Indian batsmen have struggled in this Test too and so have the bowlers. This Test and the Series is clearly a Sri Lankan win.
Out of form Yuvraj Singh and struggling pacer Irfan Pathan did not find a place in Indian team selected for a three-Test Sri Lankan tour starting on July 23, 2008.
Inform and Asia Cup performers Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharam, who have been integral part of India's ODI were named to be part of the 16 member touring squad. On the basis of his domestic performance, Parthiv Patel has been invited to the squad where as spinner Piyush Chawla has been dropped from the side. Pragyan Ozha was preferred over Chawla.
Tired (but youbg) MS Dhoni has been rested. Sreesanth, who has been nrusing his strained side (by Bhajji has beenleft out from the 16 member team.
While Sachin Tendulkar had been recuperating from groing injury that he suffered during third and final Test against South Africa. Harbhajan returns to squad after completing his five-ODI ban for slapping Sreesanth.
The bowling department will have Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma and RP Singh to support Kumble and Zaheer Khan. Where as the batting department will has Sachin Sehwag, Dravid, Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
has beenleft out from the 16 member team.