Sri Lanka lose openers at start of final India Test

Sri Lanka lost both openers despite a steady start in the third and final Test against India on Tuesday, reaching 102-2 by lunch on the opening day.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who won his third successive toss in the series and elected to bat at the P. Sara Oval, was unbeaten on 48 at the break.

Tharanga Paranavitana, century-maker in the previous two Tests, fell cheaply for eight as he edged seamer Ishant Sharma to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the fourth over.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (41) added 87 for the second wicket with Sangakkara, before he was run out off what turned out to be the last ball of the morning session.

Dilshan stepped out to defend a no-ball from spinner Pragyan Ojha, but failed to return to his crease as Murali Vijay fielded the ball at silly-point and passed it back to Dhoni.

Television replays showed Dilshan's back-foot was not grounded when Dhoni broke the stumps.

Sangakkara escaped on 23 when third slip Suresh Raina lunged to his right and dropped the ball that was carrying comfortably to Venkatsai Laxman at second slip.

Abhimanyu Mithun was the unlucky bowler.

India, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle, took the field in Colombo without the injured duo of opener Gautam Gambhir and seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Vijay, who replaced Gambhir for the drawn second Test, retained his place in the side, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra came in for Harbhajan.

Raina, who hit a century on his debut in the last match, was preferred over Yuvraj Singh for the number six spot.

Indian star Sachin Tendulkar's 169th Test made him the most-capped player in history, surpassing former Australian captain Steve Waugh's tally of 168 appearances.

Fit-again fast bowler Lasith Malinga returned for Sri Lanka along with left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara. They replaced Dilhara Fernando and Dammika Prasad, who shared the new ball in the second Test.

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