JOIN USIndian bowlers failed to polish off Sri Lanka’s lower middle-order as centuries by No 8 Binuka Fernando (100 not out) and No 9 AK Tyronne (123) enabled the hosts to earn a respectable draw in the second ‘Youth Test’ on Thursday.
The two-match series thus ended in a draw, largely due to the 188-run eighth wicket stand between Tyronne and Fernando, which helped Sri Lanka reach 499 in their second innings.
The visitors had to chase an improbable target of 319 in 27 overs. When stumps were drawn, India reached 113 for three.
Starting the day at 245 for five with an overall lead of 64 runs, it soon became 258 for seven when two set batsmen Priyamal Perera (40) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (63) were dismissed in quick succession following a 91-run sixth wicket stand.
With seven down and the lead only 77 runs, Vijay Zol and company were sniffing victory, but Tyronne and Fernando had other plans. The two right-handers attacked the Indian bowling.
Tyronne was the dominant partner as his 123 runs came off only 161 balls with 17 fours and three sixes.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2/132) bowled nearly 60 overs, while offie Aamir Gani (1/110) rolled his arm over for 45 overs.
The bulk of the bowling during this match-saving eighth-wicket partnership was done by Yadav and Gani but they failed to get a breakthrough. Fernando faced 232 deliveries and hit 15 boundaries and a six.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 212 and 499 (AK Tyronne 123, Binuka Fernando 100 n.o., Kusal Mendis 65, Sadeera Samarawickrama 63; Chama Milind 4-98) drew with India: 393/8 and 113/3 (Akhil Herwadkar 32).