Galle, July 22: Muttiah Muralitharan became the first bowler to take 800 wickets in Test cricket after taking the last wicket of India’s second innings in the first cricket Test in Galle on Thursday. India were all out for 338 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a target of 95 runs
Earlier VVS Laxman was waging a losing battle with the tail-enders as Sri Lanka pushed India to the brink of defeat.
India managed to survive the opening session and reached 292 for 8 at lunch on final day with Laxman (58) sharing two crucial stands with debutant Abhimanyu Mithun and Ishant Sharma for the eight and ninth wicket respectively.
India have managed to escape an innings defeat, following on, as they have taken a 48 run lead but Sri Lanka are on the cusp of a comprehensive victory unless rain gods help the visitors.
All eyes were on Muttiah Murailtharan as the crowd and his teammates expected him to reach the 800-wicket mark quickly but the off-spinner could add just one more scalp to take his tally to 799.
It was paceman Lasith Malinga who took two of the three wickets that fell in the opening session by removing India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mithun.
Dhoni and Laxman resumed at overnight score of 181 for five and India’s fate hinged much on their efforts with the bat. Malinga though shattered India’s hopes by bowling out Dhoni with a beautiful yorker.
Muralitharan then trapped Harbhajan Singh (8) to trigger celebrations but remained on that 799-mark till the first break of the day.
Laxman, who was on nine overnight, on the other end was unruffled and frustrated the hosts with his defying half-century.
His 49-run partnership with Mithun (25) for the eighth wicket and unfinished 46-run stand for the ninth wicket was crucial in saving India from the innings defeat.
After supporting Laxman for an hour, Mithun became fifth victim of the Malinga. Confronted with a screamer of a delivery Mithun was no where in line and was adjudged plumb LBW.
After Mithun, Ishant showed nerves and battled hard for India’s cause.
-PTI