India wrap up an innings victory on fourth day

India took the remaining six wickets of Sri Lanka an hour before Tea to wrap up the second Test at Kanpur with an innings and 144 run-victory. The hosts took four wickets in the first session itself but were kept waiting for about 90 minutes with tailender Ajantha Mendis putting on a frustrating 73-run stand with Thilan Samaraweera (78*). 

Zaheer Khan provided the perfect start for India this morning by bouncing out Angelo Mathews in the second over of the day’s play. He along with Sreesanth lost the plot though to be replaced with spin at both ends. India had to wait for about an hour before Harbhajan Singh found a way to spin one through the bat pad gap of Prasanna Jayawardene (29) from round the sticks. Harbhajan’s off break broke the 6th wicket stand of 61.

Harbhajan Singh got one more wicket when the left handed Rangana Herath missing a sweep to be lbw and Muttiah Muralidaran (29 from 11 balls) too missed a sweep but to get bowled. Pragyan Ojha was the bowler to dismiss Murali. India had to come back after lunch to take the remaining two wickets and the match was finished when no.11 Chanaka Welegedara was caught and bowled off a leading edge by Pragyan Ojha.  Before than Yuvraj Singh broke the frustrating 9th wicket partnership by trapping Mendis with an arm ball. Samaraweera stayed unbeaten on 78 (from 123 balls with 11 fours). Sri Lanka were bowled out for 269 in less than 66 overs.

Sreesanth was given the Man of the Match for taking six wickets yesterday. Incidentally this is the 100th win for India in Test Matches.

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