Centurions put Sri Lanka in control

Thilan Samaraweera becomes the third Sri Lankan to reach three figures today

Malinda Warnapura, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera all hit centuries as Sri Lanka took a stranglehold on the first Test against India.

Warnapura made 115, Jayawardene struck a fine 136 and Thilan Samaraweera was not out on 111 as the Sri Lankans closed the second day on 422 for four.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) was the other batsman not out at stumps in Colombo.

Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma picked up a wicket each, but breakthroughs were few and far between as the hosts piled on the runs.

India's bowlers struggled throughout for consistent line and length and rarely put the opposition under any pressure.

Paceman Ishant struggled in particular, conceding six, eight and 12 runs in his first three overs respectively in the morning session.

He was quickly removed from the attack as captain Anil Kumble brought himself on to bowl, but the runs continued to flow steadily as India's decision to play only two seamers began to backfire.

Warnapura had set the ball rolling with a show of grit and defiance as he put the India attack to the sword.

Skipper Jaywardene slowly found his stride, although he was fortunate to get to his 23rd Test century.

He was twice dropped by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, with Kumble being the unfortunate bowler on both occasions.

Warnapura and Jayawardene added 155 runs for the third wicket and the Sri Lankan skipper continued to make light work of India's bowlers even after his team-mate’s dismissal.

Warnapura walked after prodding at a delivery from Harbhajan, the extra bounce catching the edge of the bat for Rahul Dravid to take a comfortable catch in the slips.

Jayawardene was dropped on 55 and again on 93 before he closed in on his 23rd Test century. It was also his ninth at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

He was finally dismissed by Ishant, who struck with the second new ball. Ishant got a delivery to straighten slightly and, this time, Karthik made no mistake with the catch.

Jayawardene and Samaraweera put on 148 runs for the fourth wicket and, after the skipper's dismissal, Samaraweera continued Sri Lanka’s push for runs.

He reached his century in due course and has thus far added 62 runs for the fifth wicket with Dilshan.

Sri Lanka opener Malinda Warnapura sweeps during his innings of 115 against India at Colombo

Dilshan had earlier survived a return to the pavilion having been adjudged caught behind on one by umpire Mark Benson, but he challenged the decision.

Third umpire Rudi Koertzen overturned Benson's verdict, ruling in favour of the batsman after replays suggested that Dilshan's bat had hit the pitch rather than the ball.

It was not the first time the umpire referral system, being trialled in this series, was used.

India asked for a review of an lbw decision during the morning session, making it the first time the system was put to use.

Harbhajan struck Warnapura on the pads with a delivery that pitched on middle stump and seemed to be going down leg.

The appeal was turned down by referee Mark Benson, with Warnapura on 86, but Kumble challenged the decision and the umpire referred it to third umpire Rudi Koertzen, who endorsed Benson's not out ruling.

Another leg before decision against Dilshan was referred to Koertzen, who again ruled in favour of the batsman after watching replays.

That means India have only one challenge left, while Sri Lanka have all three intact.