Turn, Turn, Turn

At last, a Test wicket on the sub continent that behaves like a wicket should: runs on the first three days and increasing spin on the last two.

India's trio d'spin, Ohja, Mishra and Sehwag, did the business on Sri Lanka on a pitch that was turning on day four. Ohja was the pick, taking out three of the four key wickets. With Sri Lanka building their innings, he removed Randiv, Jayawardene and Sangakkara in quick succession to have Sri Lanka reeling. Sangakkara made it easy for Ohja with a terrible pull shot to a long hop straight to the man at backward square leg. Mishra then chimed in with the wickets of Matthews and the other Jayawardene and when Sehwag trapped Malinga in front after a mini recovery with Samaraweera, Sri Lanka were shot ducks at 8-125.

Enter Ajantha Mendis, who before this series was better than a rabbit with the bat but not much. Having gained confidence batting with Samaraweera in this series he has batted responsibly and his partners trust has added to that confidence. Both shared the load as India looked to finish it but found it impossible against the mixture of dogged defence and audacious stroke play. Samaraweera was even better than his first innings century and it was a surprise that he missed another in this innings as Mendis fully intended to get him one. It was Mithun's return that finally broke their 118 ninth wicket partnership but Samaraweera caused his own downfall, trying to retain the strike with some inventive footwork and only gloving the ball down the legside to Dhoni. Mendis kept on for his highest Test score and was last out. It was another example of the "Steve Waugh" affect that Ian Chappell has decried.

Sangakkarra let the off spinner Randiv have the new ball and what use he made of it, sending back Vijay, Sehwag and Dravid in nine overs. India require 204 on a turner and the Master is at the crease. The series comes down to the final day.