VIRENDER Sehwag hit a sparkling unbeaten 97 as India closed day two of the third and final Test in Colombo 245 runs behind Sri Lanka at 180-2. Resuming on 293-4, Sri Lanka were all out for 425, Thilan Samaraweera making an unbeaten 137, his 12th Test century, and spinner Pragyan Ojha taking 4-115.
Sehwag struck 17 fours and shared an unbroken 88 with Sachin Tendulkar (40) before bad light ended play.
Sri Lanka have a 1-0 series lead after a 10-wicket victory in the first Test.
Samaraweera reached three figures shortly before lunch but had an anxious moment doing so having chanced a quick single on 99.
A direct throw from square-leg dislodged the stumps at the non-striker’s end, but the run-out appeal was turned down by the third umpire.
Samaraweera struck Ojha for a six and four off successive balls but Ishant Sharma took the final two wickets in the next over as Sri Lanka were dismissed midway the afternoon session.
In reply, Sehwag slammed three consecutive fours in the fourth over, but having completed his 23rd Test half-century he was dropped on 52 by Angelo Mathews, who failed to grasp a return chance.

On a turning wicket Tendulkar, playing in a record 169th Test, survived two strong lbw appeals in the final over of the day from off-spinner Suraj Randiv.
Samaraweera insisted his team were in a good position, but marvelled at the manner of Sehwag’s innings.
“It seemed he was playing on a different pitch,” he said.
“Sehwag is obviously the key wicket for us, but India are still almost 250 runs behind and have a long way to go.
“If we can take a few wickets in the morning, we will be back in the game. It is not easy to play the spinners on this track and Randiv is bowling really well.“ (BBC Sport)
SRI LANKA first innings (o/n 293 for 4)
T. Paranavitana c (wkp.) Dhoni b Sharma    8
T. Dilshan  run-out    41
K. Sangakkara c Sehwag b Ojha    75
M. Jayawardene lbw b Ojha    56
T. Samaraweera not out    137
A. Matthews lbw b Ojha    45
P. Jayawardene lbw b Ojha    9
S. Randiv c Dravid b Sehwag    8
L. Malinga c &b Mishra    4
A. Mendis c Raina b Sharma    3
M. Welegedara c Dhoni b Sharma    4
Extras: (b-8, lb-4, w-7, nb-16)    35
Total: (all out, 138 overs)    425
Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-102, 3-157, 4-241, 5-330, 6-359, 7-381, 8-386, 9-421.
Bowling. A. Mithun 22- 2-78-0 (w-3), I. Sharma 23-6-72-3 (nb-4), A. Mishra 42-3-140-1 (nb-7), P. Ojha 46-10- 115-4 (nb-4), V. Sehwag 5-0-8-1 (nb-1).
INDIA first innings
M. Vijay c Mendis b Malinga    14
V. Sehwag not out    97
R. Dravid lbw b Matthews    23
Extras: (lb-1, w-1, nb-4)    6
Total: (2 wickets, 35 overs)    180
Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-92.
Bowling: S. Malinga 11-1-52-1 (nb-2), M. Welegedara 9-0-65-0 (nb-1, w-1), A. Mendis 7-1-32-0 (nb-1), A. Matthews 4-0-13-1, S. Randiv 4-0-17-0.