 India in doldrums as Murali rips through batting order
25th Jul 2008 23:01 IST
Agencies
India were staring at a possible follow on with their famed batsmen crumbling to spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan whose sensational four-wicket haul put Sri Lanka firmly in the driver's seat in the first Test in Colombo today.
Weighed down by Sri Lanka's mammoth first innings total of 600/6, India found themselves in total disarray with a spineless batting display which saw them gasping at a precarious 159/6 when play was called off a little early because of bad light.
The visitors still need 242 runs to avoid the ignominy of a follow on and will have to bat out of their skins to save the game at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground where the track has started showing signs of a gradual deterioration.
The seasoned VVS Laxman (19) and captain Anil Kumble (1) were at the crease at stumps which saw the hosts tightening the noose around their hapless opponents with Tillakaratne Dilshan (125 not out) becoming the fourth player to hit a century.
With Virender Sehwag (25), Gautam Gambhir (39), Rahul Dravid (14), Sachin Tendulkar (27) and Sourav Ganguly (23) having returned to the pavilion, much will depend on the experienced Laxman to pull the team out of the pits. India still trail by 441 runs.
The Indians were done in by Muralitharan, who dismissed Gambhir, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Karthik, and 'mystery' bowler Ajantha Mendis who produced a gem of a delivery to account for Dravid.
It turned out to be another agonising day for the visitors who first allowed the hosts to pile up an imposing total and then the batsmen lacked the application to hang around for long.
The 23-year-old Mendis, who created a flutter with his exploits in the Asia Cup, continued to bamboozle the Indian batsmen with his variations.
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