By IANS,
Colombo : Pacer Zaheer Khan insisted the game is evenly poised despite injuries forcing three Indian players out of action on second day of the series deciding third Test here Saturday.
V.V.S. Laxman sprained his left ankle while warming up ahead of the day’s play. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar hurt his left elbow attempting a catch while Ishant Sharma pulled his hamstring and left the field.
“The game is evenly poised. We just need to get them out early,” Zaheer said after the close of the second day’s play.
Sri Lanka, riding on the unbeaten ton of Kumar Sangakkara, took a two run lead after making 251 for the loss of six wickets at stumps. India were all out for 249 in their first innings.
The Indian speedster hoped that Ishant would be fit to play to prevent Sri Lanka from taking a big lead. “We will have to wait and see. We are hopeful he will be okay tomorrow. We have to see how it goes and the physio is having a look at him,” Zaheer told journalists.
Sri Lanka’s coach Trevor Bayliss, too, agreed that the match as of now hangs in the balance. “It was a tough day of Test cricket today. Tomorrow will be the same. We will be looking to try and get as far ahead as we possible can and bowl India out again.”