India's middle-order mediocre in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis and debutant Dammika Prasad restricted India to a modest first innings score of 249 in the third and final Test here yesterday, despite a defiant last-wicket stand from the away side.

Spinner Mendis finished with 5-56 and paceman Prasad with 3-82 as India were bowled out in the last session of the opening day after winning the toss on a good batting wicket.

India slipped from 151-3 to 198-9 before Zaheer Khan (32) and Ishant Sharma (17 not out) frustrated Sri Lanka with a 51-run partnership for the last wicket, the joint-highest stand of the innings.

Fast bowler Sharma returned to dismiss Malinda Warnapura before Sri Lanka reached 14-1 in reply at stumps. Michael Vandort was unbeaten on three and nightwatchman Chaminda Vaas on zero.

Left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir was the only specialist batsman to give a good account of himself, top-scoring with a solid 72 for his third successive half-century. He hit 10 fours before falling to leg-bowl from the impressive Mendis.

"It is a fantastic pitch to bat on. There was hardly anything for bowlers. It is just that we did not bat well. We should have scored more runs," said Gambhir.

"But I still feel we are very much in the game. If we get one or two early wickets in the morning today, we will be right back in the game," he added.

The series is tied at 1-1, with the hosts winning the first Test by an innings and 239 runs and India clinching a 170-run victory in the second match.

India's famed middle order flopped yet again. Sourav Ganguly (35) and Venkatsai Laxman (25) failed to convert starts into big innings, while Sachin Tendulkar (six) and Rahul Dravid (10) were not allowed to settle.

Prasad did the early damage with a triple-strike, having in-form opener Virender Sehwag caught behind and then trapping Dravid and Tendulkar leg before the lunch break.

"They have a good batting line-up. One of my favourite players is Sachin and it was a big moment for me to take his wicket. I am really happy," said Prasad.

"Although it is my first Test, I had played a warm-up game against them and got three wickets and that gave me some confidence. I knew I could do it."

India got off to a sound start when Sehwag (21) and Gambhir put on 51 for the opening wicket, but faltered against a sturdy Sri Lankan pace-spin combination.

Sri Lanka benefited twice under a new experimental rule allowing players to seek a second opinion on umpiring decisions. Gambhir and Dravid were initially given not out by umpire Mark Benson of England, but Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene asked the official to review his decisions.

Benson ruled the batsmen out after consulting TV umpire Billy Doctrove, an official from the West Indies.

Tendulkar, who became only the third cricketer to appear in 150 Tests after Australians Steve Waugh and Allan Border, was unlucky when he asked for a review of his decision after being adjudged leg-before.

The umpire was proved right after consulting the TV official.