Colombo: Riding on V.V.S.Laxman's 16th Test century as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the third and the final Test to levell the three-match series 1-1 at the P.Sara Oval here on Saturday.
Man of the Match Laxman, who battled a back spasm, remained unbeaten on 103 and along with Sachin Tendulkar (54) he stitched valuable 109 runs for the fifth wicket as India made 258 for five in the second innings, after they were set a victory target of 257. Suresh Raina also made 46 not out.
Sri Lanka made 425 in the first innings and 267 in their second. India were bowled out for 436 in their first innings.
Resuming at overnight score of 53 for three, India lost nightwatchman Ishant Sharma (4) early on to off-spinner Suraj Randiv, who bagged all the five wickets in the second innings for 82 runs and ended up with a match haul of nine for 162.
Laxman and Tendulkar played sensibly at a time when the spinners purchased some sharp turn from the pitch.
Tendulkar, playing his record 169th Test, took three hours to complete his half-century. Tendulkar made the most of the life he got when Tillakaratne Dilshan dropped a simple catch at forward short-leg off Randiv when the Indian batsman was on 18.
Tendulkar played cautiously for his half-century and hit just three fours. Tendulkar eventually fell to Randiv in the fifth over after lunch, when he gloved a sweep shot and wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene took a smart catch.
Laxman and Raina then took India home safely with their unbeaten stand of 87 runs for the sixth wicket. Raina, playing his second Test, struck four fours and a six. His six off seamer Chanaka Welegedera over mid-on signalled the series-levelling for India. Sri Lanka won the first Test by 10 wickets, while the second ended in a drawn.