The seven-Test old Warnapura, who gave Sri Lanka a flying start in the series by scoring a ton in the first innings of the first Test, was there to give the finishing touch as well with a crucial unbeaten 54 in the fourth innings of the final Test. He handled the pressure like an old pro even as the Indians got a faint sniff of victory at 22 for 2. Despite the constant chatter from close-in fielders and a showdown with Harbhajan Singh, he stood firm in an unbeaten 101-run partnership with Jayawardene.

Another frame that symbolised Lanka’s potent youth-experience mix was the one of Man of the Series Ajantha Mendis and Man of the Match Kumar Sangakkara, as they walked to the award ceremony. As Muttiah Muralitharan clapped from the sidelines, it was clear on the final day of the series that phasing out wasn’t a problem the Lankans seem to be facing.

Praying for miracles

The day had started with a miracle. As the Indians got into the Olympic mood by playing a game of volleyball at warm-up, news trickled in of Bindra’s feat. Miracles were expected from Laxman and Dravid and they started in flawless fashion, putting on 85 comfortable runs.

But Mendis did the trick by going round the wicket and having Dravid caught in the slips. The tailenders did their bit, but the pressure was too much for them to sustain. Laxman hobbling back on a sprained left ankle painted a picture of India’s fractured hopes.

... contd.