India moved a step closer towards saving the second Test on the fourth morning, avoiding the follow-on with the fifth-wicket pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina continuing their resistance on a placid pitch. In a Test of many milestones, Raina reached one of his own, becoming only the second Indian batsman this decade to score a century on debut.
Raina showed few signs of nerves in his maiden Test appearance, batting positively throughout his innings. He didn't hesitate to step out against the spinners on the third day and began in a similar vein on the fourth, lofting Suraj Randiv over long-off. There was the occasional moment of unease against pace, however, as he was forced to fend off a couple of short deliveries in front of a prowling leg slip.
Barring that, he remained solid and progressed fluently, reserving treatment for those deliveries pitched up. He pulled off his favourite slog-sweep to dispatch Randiv over midwicket, and brought up his ton with a drive through mid-off. The celebration began the moment he connected, and he clenched his fists, ran to the other end and soaked in the applause for an achievement that opens up India's options in their Test middle order.
Tendulkar, for much of his knock yesterday, was sparing in his approach towards the fuller deliveries following three quick wickets. He appeared more content, pushing them gently into the off side than forcing a drive, but he began the fourth morning by caressing Randiv through extra cover.
And like Raina, he also faced a couple of nervy moments: He padded up to a Randiv delivery that spun in only to be saved by its height, and for the second time in the innings, failed to execute an upper cut, as it landed inches short of Mahela Jayawardene at slip. But he shrugged them off soon enough and slashed Dammika Prasad through point for two fours, used the sweep against Randiv on more than one occasion, and swung Ajantha Mendis over midwicket to bring up his 150.
Kumar Sangakkara had his field spread against the spinners, but kept three close-in catchers throughout, hoping the extra bounce would yield something. The seamers had a slip against Tendulkar, with an additional leg slip for Raina. Perhaps Mendis could have come on much earlier, instead of at the stroke of lunch. A couple of close shaves was all Sri Lanka could manage; it was India who took control of determining the fate of this Test.