Batting is a challenge on this pitch

Two balls before the tea break on Wednesday,Tillakaratane Dilshan was batting on 93 and playing it safe seemed the most logical step.

Two balls before the tea break on Wednesday,Tillakaratane Dilshan was batting on 93 and playing it safe seemed the most logical step. But logic and sense are terms rarely associated with the likes of Dilshan,which is why not too many at the Brabourne stadium were surprised when the 33-year-old Sri Lankan opener smashed Pragyan Ojha for a six over long-on off the first to move to 99 before stepping down the wicket and almost getting yorked off the next.

On a pitch that started turning within the first session of play and with wickets falling regularly at the other end Dilshans method of mixing caution with aggression proved to be an effective ploy.

Dilshan rated this innings as being better than the 133-ball 112 in Ahmedabad. It was a good Test wicket where both the fast bowlers and spinners got a lot of help. Batting is a challenge on this wicket and this knock was certainly more satisfying, said Dilshan.

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The fast bowlers bowled really well,and Paranavitana got us off to a good start. Batting became easy only after the first five to 10 overs, said Dilshan.

Dilshan the cricketer has undergone a number of transformations during his 10-year-career including a name change from Tuwan Mohammad to Tillakaratane. But like Sehwag,it has been his shift to the top of the order earlier this year that has taken to him to a completely new level.

I started the season off well against Bangladesh,but the selectors decision to make me open has really been a crucial change for me and I am enjoying it, said Dilshan.

If referrals were in place,I would still be batting

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Mumbai: Tillakaratne Dilshan joined the Lankan spinners in their support for technology after getting a poor decision whie batting on 109. After a loud appeal by Harbhajan Singh was upheld by umpire Nigel Llong,replays showed that the ball had missed the bat and ballooned in the hands of forward short-leg. When asked if he missed UDRS that was being followed in Australia and New Zealand,Dilshan said,If the referral system was in place,I would still be batting. The ICC had announced that all Tests played after October 1,2009,would see the implementation of UDRS. But the broadcasters of the present series were not willing to bear the extra cost. ENS