Ton-up Sangakkara helps Sri Lanka gain lead

COLOMBO  - Kumar Sangakkara cracked a solid 107 not out to help Sri Lanka gain a slender advantage over injury-hit India in the crucial third and final Test here on Saturday.

The left-hander was involved in two valuable partnerships as the hosts reached 251-6 in their first innings at stumps on the second day in reply to India's 249. Prasanna Jayawardene was unbeaten on one.

Sangakkara put on 95 for the third wicket with night-watchman Chaminda Vaas (47) and 60 for the fifth with Thilan Samaraweera (35) on an absorbing day of cricket.

Sangakkara rarely erred in shot-selection during his long innings, driving, cutting and pulling remarkably well on the way to his 17th hundred in 76 Tests. He has so far struck 11 fours in his 226-ball knock.

India struck twice in the last session just when it looked like Sri Lanka were on course for a big lead, with left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan having Samaraweera caught behind and Anil Kumble trapping Tillakaratne Dilshan (23) leg-before.

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

India were a paceman short in the last session as Ishant Sharma walked off the field after falling on his follow-through.

Venkatsai Laxman was off the field throughout the day after twisting his ankle during practice before the day's play and Sachin Tendulkar injured his left elbow while attempting a catch in the afternoon.