Sehwag hurts Sri Lanka

VIRENDER Sehwag claimed top-order wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings just before the close of play on day three of the third Test in Colombo to help India claim pole position after being bowled out for 436.

The dashing India opener backed up his brilliant century this morning with the important scalps of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana, reducing Sri Lanka to 45 for two at stumps, after India had established a slender 11-run first-innings lead.

Suresh Raina (62), VVS Laxman (56), Abhimanyu Mithun (46) and Amit Mishra (40) also chipped in to build the India total, but Suraj Randiv (four for 80) and Lasith Malinga (three for 119) kept the visitors in check.

India, resuming on 180 for two yesterday morning, suffered an early double blow when the overnight pair Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag fell inside the first half-hour of play - both succumbing to poor shot selection.

But Laxman and Raina stemmed the flow of wickets and denied further success to Sri Lanka bowlers who used the bounce and turn on the track to good effect.

Laxman notched his 45th Test 50 but edged soon after to Mahela Jayawardene at first slip off Ajantha Mendis. The Hyderabad batsman and Raina were involved in a 100-run partnership - the first of the match so far.