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Bhajji took four wickets. PIC/AFP |
Here onwards, it is the battle of the spinners. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis called the shots in the first Test, but Harbhajan Singh has joined the party too. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene is still there and he may help the home team offset the first innings lead, but India is not worried.
Nightmare
Batting last on this wicket, which is providing turn from the second day itself, will be a nightmare. "The good thing is we are going to bowl last on this wicket. We feel we are in control," believes India coach Gary Kirsten.
India will be relieved that Harbhajan has struck form. With the rest of the bowlers as innocuous as they were in the first Test, India needed someone to lead the way.
All in all, it was the first day of the series when India returned home feeling on top. The first session today will decide whether the visitors can capitalise on their position.
For Harbhajan it was a crucial match. He was coming into the series following the most tumultuous period of his career, serving a ban for slapping Sreesanth. His hot temperament is under scrutiny. The lack of success in the first Test had put him under extra pressure. The off-spinner has responded in typical fighting fashion with an invaluable four-wicket haul.
Now, he is confident that he will be able to help his team restrict Lanka in the morning.
"We are not satisfied with our efforts. We still have a long way to go. The first hour tomorrow will be very important. If we get one or two wickets early, we will be in a very good position," said Harbhajan.
Drift
The key, Harbhajan said was the drift he was getting and maintaining the rhythm will be important. "I bowled a little quicker in this match because the ball was drifting a bit. I tried to mix my pace and that worked for me today.
"We need to bowl like we did today, and restrict them to another 50-60 runs."
