Sri Lanka won the toss and put India to bat. Right from the first ball both the openers began beating Lankan bowlers mercilessly and gave them no chance to settle down. Adventurous Virender Sehwag gave no leeway to any bowler, clearing boundaries at will.

Whether it was Fernando or Mathews, none was spared and often shown the boundary. As usual, Sachin played a fine knock of 69 of just 63 balls with 10 meticulously crafted boundaries and a six. Unfortunately when he was looking good and poised for another century, he was clean bowled by Fernando.

However, Virender Sehwag showed no sign of deterrence and went on to complete his scintillating century coupled with five massive and captivating 6 and 12 boundaries of only 66 balls. This according to statistics is his second fastest century, behind the one that he scored against New Zealand of just 60 balls.

What is striking is that this is Veeru’s first century after 2005 in his home ground. Considering India’s present score and strong batting line up score of over 350 seems very much achievable. At the end of over number 29, India had a magnificent score of 247 for one with MS Dhoni on 44 and Veeru on 118 at the crease.