Laxman makes it special

Come-from-behind trend continues as India,riding on VVS century,save No. 1 rank.

In less than a year since taking over as the best team in the world,Mahendra Singh Dhonis side has faced the intense pressure of justifying their top billing. On both occasions,the second being on Saturday,they rose to the challenge after humiliating defeats to cull out hard-earned victories.

Seven months back,in Kolkata they inflicted an innings defeat on South Africa after losing the first Test by an innings and six runs. Back then the No.1 ranking was at stake.

This time,India lost the first Test at Galle and the specter of defeat loomed after the Sri Lankans had posted 642 for in the first innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. India fought hard through Sachin Tendulkar and debutant Suresh Raina to earn a draw.

Trailing 0-1 going into the third Test at the P Sara Oval,all the pressure was on India to level the series. A Virender Sehwag century and a rearguard effort from the tail ensured India gained a slender first innings lead of 11 runs. But in this topsy-turvy Test match,it was going to be the side which raised their game under pressure that prevailed.

Sri Lanka found heroes in Thilan Samaraweera and Ajantha Mendis as the duo put on a potentially record match-winning partnership for the ninth wicket in the second innings. Suraj Ranjiv,the off-spinner,playing his first Test series had picked up three wickets in Indias second innings on Friday to make Sri Lanka favourties going into the fifth and final day.

But like in Chennai against England in December 2008 when India won chasing 383,like in Napier when they saved the match after making 476 for four after following-on,the batsmen in the side proved their worth in gold. While in Chennai,it was Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh,and in Napier it was Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman,here it was largely Laxman with support from Tendulkar and Raina,who provided India with a famous win.

The 1-1 draw will be considered as good as a series win for India given the thin bowling resources. Lady luck too wasnt on their side,with skipper MS Dhoni losing all three tosses. Sri Lanka,as expected,made full use of a fresh wicket in all three Tests.

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On the fifth day,India had seven wickets in hand but needed another 204 runs to win. The first session,especially on the fourth and fifth days,at the P Sara Oval is known to trigger collapses. When nightwatchman Ishant Sharma fell in the fourth over of the day leaving India at 62/4 there were another 195 runs to get for victory.

There could have been further trouble if Tillakaratne Dilshan,at short leg,hadnt dropped Sachin Tendulkar on 18. Tendulkar went on to make a valuable 54.

Laxman was at the heart of the five-wicket win which was achieved just before tea. His 109-run partnership with Tendulkar formed the bedrock of the win. During their stay at the wicket,Laxman and Tendulkar neutralised the threats posed by Lasith Malingas bouncers and yorkers and out-witted Ajantha Mendis.

Off spinner Suraj Randiv bowled a strangulating line from around and over the wicket in an attempt to force Tendulkar and Laxman to play against the spin. Kumar Sangakkara had left gaps on the off-side but packed the leg-side. Paddle sweeps and wristy whips came into play,while runs were also made through handsome drives. Once Tendulkar fell,Raina played a steady innings,albeit one which started in a flashy manner. Laxman had fought back spasms to notch up his 16th Test hundred. Given the amount of pain he was in and the pressure of chasing on a tricky wicket,Laxmans effort was commendable.

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India landed in Sri Lankan without their strike bowler,and then lost their leading spinner to a calf injury and also had to play two Tests without regular opener Gautam Gambhir. Given the circumstances,leveling the series after the defeat in Galle was rather special.

This No.1 side showed their steel when pushed against the ropes. And when they looked down for the count.