
Captain
Kumar Sangakkara and
Tharanga Paranavitana struck their second successive
centuries as
Sri Lanka took firm control of the
second cricket Test against
India in Colombo on Monday. Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd
Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan
batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.
The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one position, put up a rather pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start. Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
Electing to bat, the two Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians.The depleted Indian bowling attack, badly missing the services of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, just did not ball in the right areas to pose much problems for the hosts who scored at a brisk pace right through the day.