It was a Test match to forget, but as they look forward to a must-win encounter on Tuesday India will at least feel that they finished this draining encounter stronger than their hosts. Although the draw was never in question, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side certainly had the better of day five of the second Test as Sri Lanka finished on 129 for three.

The first task was for their final pair to bat as long as possible to keep Sri Lanka in the field for as long as possible, and the second was for their bowlers, who have struggled all series, to gain some sort of rhythm. Both were accomplished to the extent that as the end drew near the tourists even appeared to be enjoying themselves in the field.

Having begun the day on 669 for nine in response to Sri Lanka's 642 for four declared, India's final two batsmen frustrated Sri Lanka for 27.2 overs and 38 runs before Dilhara Fernando eventually had Ishant Sharma caught at gully for 27. Both the lanky No10 and Pragyan Ojha (18 not out) batted with the sort of comfort one might expect on a pitch that yielded a total of 1478 runs over five days of mind-numbing cricket, and took the Indian total to a mammoth 707.

It also gave their bowlers the right length of time with the ball - long enough to try and gather some momentum but short enough that they won't need three days to recover. While Sharma was unable to capitalise in four relatively wild overs that cost 31 runs, Abhimanyu Mithun, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh all struck blows to reduce the hosts to 97 for three before Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera took the sting out of the Indian bowling.

India had opted to use the heavy roller before play began - the first time in the match that it had been selected - and the result was clear as the spinners suddenly found some zip. After Tillakaratne Dilshan had pulled to midwicket off the bowling of Mithun, Harbhajan caught by VVS Laxman at second slip. Indian fans will hope that the dismissal will give their chief spinner a boost ahead of the final Test at a ground where spinners generally make the difference, because it was an attacking spell from Harbhajan who began to look like his old self.

When Sehwag trapped Mahela Jayawardene lbw soon after there was just an inkling that we might be in for an interesting final session, but Sangakkara and Samaraweera knuckled down dutifully after the tea break before the two captains made the sensible decision to shake hands at the first opportunity.

The draw ensured that Sri Lanka cannot lose the series to the No1 ranked Test side and could leap from fifth to second if they beat India next week at the P Sara Oval, a venue which has produced eight results in the last nine Tests.

Shot of the Day
With Ishant Sharma serving up some filth, Tharanga Paranavitana was the man to take advantage. It's arguable which shot of his was the better in the eighth over of the innings, a superb square drive through backward point for four or a drive through mid-off two balls later as he offered the full face of the bat to a full delivery. I'd probably vote for the latter.

Delivery of the Day
Harbhajan Singh's first spell definitely threw up cause for encouragement. With some extra turn suddenly available it was noticeable how much more positive he was, and the wicket of Paranavitana was due reward. The ball was tossed up and drew Paranavitana forward, then ripped across him taking a thick edge to give VVS Laxman a sharp chance.

Tristan Holme