::Get The News Of Cricket Right Here::: India struggles to take 2-1 lead over Sri lanka

India struggled to put up 237 on board and despite pegging Sri Lanka back at 59 for six found them close to taking a lead in the five-match series.India's total was boosted thanks to half-centuries by Suresh Raina (53) and Dhoni (76).Raina was run out when he responded to a risky single having faced 80 balls and hit four boundaries and a six.

Dhoni, meanwhile, faced 80 balls and hit eight fours during his knock of 76 and was out in the penultimate over of the innings. He added 54 runs for the fifth wicket with Raina and less than run a ball 67 for the sixth wicket with Rohit Sharma, who hit 32 in 32 balls.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis had a rare off day and had only one wicket in his first nine overs, but bounced back in his last over by claiming two wickets in successive balls, that also included the wicket of the Indian captain.
Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilina Tushara Mirando ended with two wickets apiece, but veterans Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas went wicket less.

Chasing 238 for victory,wicket after wicket went down and at an embarrassing 59 for six, the hosts seemed to have lost sight of the victory target, but Mahela Jayawardene played a scorcher to spark interest the contest. Batting with a runner in the latter part of his innings, his 94 from 111 balls nearly translated artificial excitement into anxiety for the Indian team, before a soft paddle-shot straight into Praveen Kumar's hands off Munaf Patel brought the smiles back.

Zaheer Khan was instrumental in dismantling the Lankan top-order, as he got the ball to move both ways off the seam to dismiss both Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva leg-before. Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel provided excellent support, the former tempting Jayasuriya with an away-going delivery to earn a snick, before catching Kapugedera plumb in front. Though Munaf got a bit of stick towards the latter half, his three wickets were just reward for his nagging line and length.

Thilan Thushara, who walked in at number nine, made a valiant effort, contributing 30 in an 81-run eighth-wicket partnership. But once he was yorked out by Zaheer, Jayawardene was left with too much on his plate.

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