Harbhajan Singh finished with 10 wickets as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 259 runs in the third Test on Thursday to clinch the series 2-0.
The wily off-spinner finished the match with 10-141 as Sri Lanka, chasing an improbable 509-run target, were bowled out for 249 in their second innings after resuming at 235-6.
This was Harbhajan’s fourth haul of 10 or more wickets in a Test.
The series win lifted India to second place behind Australia in the International Cricket Council’s official world rankings.
The hosts needed just 7,3 overs to seal the win, with Harbhajan and leg-spinner Anil Kumble claiming two wickets apiece in the morning session of the fifth and final day of the Test.
Kumble, who took three wickets on Wednesday, finished with 5-89 for his 31st haul of five or more scalps in a Test innings in 100 matches.
”It’s a great feeling as it was a special Test for me,” said Kumble, who was named man of the series for taking 20 wickets in three matches.
”Harbhajan and I managed to apply pressure on Sri Lanka’s batsmen from both the ends in the series. Sometimes he got more wickets than me and sometimes I did.”
Kumble started the day with the wicket of Farveez Maharoof (two) and finished the match when he had Malinga Bandara (11) caught by stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag in the gully.
Sehwag led the team in the absence of ailing Rahul Dravid.
Harbhajan, who bagged seven wickets in the first innings and one on Wednesday, had Jehan Mubarak (18) caught by close-in fielder Venkatsai Laxman before dismissing Muttiah Muralitharan (three).
”It is always a great pleasure bowling with Kumble. He is a great bowler. I always enjoy bowling with him and he did a very good job,” said Harbhajan, named man of the match in his 50th Test.
”I am developing a few things and I hope I become a better bowler in the future. I am enjoying my cricket. I am enjoying bowling and taking wickets.”
Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu praised the Indian spin duo.
”We came against two very good spinners and both bowled very well in favourable conditions,” he said. ”I think we have not done ourselves justice. We had our chances but failed to capitalise on them. We had them struggling [97-5] in the first innings, but [Venkatsai] Laxman and [Irfan] Pathan then batted well.”
Laxman scored 104 and Pathan 82 to help India post 398 in the first innings.
Sehwag also lauded his spinners, saying both had done a fantastic job in his first Test at captain.
”It is always easy for a captain when he has two good spinners in the side. Harbhajan and Kumble both did a remarkable job. We hope to maintain our winning habits on Pakistan’s tour.”
India tour Pakistan next month for three Tests and five one-day internationals.
The hosts won the second Test against Sri Lanka by 188 runs at Delhi after the rain-hit drawn opening match at Chennai. — Sapa-AFP