New Delhi: The last Test of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and India ended in a draw here at the Feroze Shah Kotla Ground, on Wednesday here.
Resuming the day at 31-3, Sri Lanka needed to bat out the last three sessions in order to secure a draw. India had earlier set a target of 410 for the Lankans to win, after declaring their second-innings at 246-5.
Ravindra Jadeja provided the first breakthrough in the morning, when he accounted for the first-innings centurion Angelo Mathews (1) cheaply. However, Roshen Silva (unbeaten at 74) and Dhananjaya de Silva (retired at 119) forged a useful partnership to deny India any chance of winning the game and the series.
There was a chance for India when de Silva walked off with a hamstring injury. However, Niroshan Dickwella (unbeaten at 44) played some exquisite shots, along with Silva to sniff out India’s every chance to churn out a win.
Both the Silvas were tested by Indian bowlers and survived close moments. They played a composed innings together to give Sri Lanka a fighting draw, after they had slumped to their worst ever innings defeat in Nagpur just a few days back.
With this draw, India now equals the record of Australia and England to win nine successive test series. India had also drawn the Test in Kolkata and won in Nagpur comprehensively.
Skipper Virat Kohli was adjudged the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series for his astonishing batting performance in the series.
India would be hoping to replicate the performance when they tour South Africa in January next year. (ANI)