No ton for Sehwag as India stumble

Virender Sehwag missed out on his 21st Test century by just one run as Sri Lanka claimed three morning-session wickets to leave India on 173 for three at lunch on day three of the second Test at Colombo.

Chasing a 642-run first inning total, the tourists lost all three wickets in the hour before the break to leave them with plenty of work still to do with the follow-on mark 270 runs away.

On an unresponsive wicket Sehwag's swashbuckling innings at the top of the order had built a solid platform for India, the world's top-ranked side, as he put on 165 with fellow opener Murali Vijay. The 31-year-old looked set to reach triple figures, but fell agonisingly short when he was stumped attempting a big shot to give Suraj Randiv his first Test wicket.

Vijay then followed soon after for 58, when Ajantha Mendis trapped him lbw, and when veteran Rahul Dravid fell just before lunch, as Randiv struck for a second time, Sri Lanka had suddenly made important inroads.

India began the day on 95 without loss and Sehwag maintained his aggressive approach from the start, smashing Dilhara Fernando for consecutive boundaries in the second over of the day.

With Vijay giving good support at the other end and inching towards his own half-century, Sehwag was able to pick out comfortable runs to keep the scoreboard ticking at nearly four an over. Vijay, who had played second fiddle to Sehwag, reached his second Test half-century in style, hitting spinner Mendis for a boundary.

Sehwag then attempted to bring up his century with a blazing shot, but was beaten by the flight and stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene, as Randiv claimed his first Test wicket with his first ball of the day.

Mendis then stepped up to the plate to deal India a further blow, trapping Vijay plum lbw for 58.

And Randiv continued a dream debut with another big scalp.

Dravid had made three before he failed to negotiate a quicker delivery and was caught leg before, as the Sri Lankans took the upper hand into lunch.