 Pathan unleashes his batting prowess
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Scorecard
 New Delhi, Dec 12: Irfan Pathan enhanced his credentials as an all-rounder with an attacking 93 to give India control of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka who ended up conceding a handy first innings lead to the hosts here today.
Pathan, promoted as opener in the second innings, once more unleashed his batting prowess on Sri Lanka and together with a masterly half century from skipper Rahul Dravid, helped India reach 237 for five at close on the third day.
After Dravid was run out - but not before crossing the 8,000-run mark with 53 – Yuvraj Singh made a cameo 28 not out with shots all around the park to stretch India's overall lead to 297.
 Former captain Sourav Ganguly played an equally accomplished innings and remained unbeaten on 22 at stumps.
With two full days' play left and the Feroze Shah Kotla track not entirely difficult to bat on, Sri Lanka might fancy their chances but the sheer pressure of batting last on the fourth and fifth days will prove a challenge.
Besides, on all three days, the bowlers have held the upper hand in the morning sessions when winter dew aids swing.
Also, the highest target successfully chased at the Kotla remains 276 for five by the West Indies in 1987-88. Earlier, Anil Kumble claimed six for 72, his 30th career five-wicket haul, and Pathan chipped in with three for 34 as Sri Lanka, resuming at 198 for 6, lost their last four wickets for 32 runs to concede India a lead of 60 runs.
In the morning, Kumble struck in the third over of the morning when Vaas hit his googly straight to Harbhajan Singh at midwicket. Malinga Bandara was beaten by Pathan's swing and bowled through bat-pad gap and Muralitharan, after pulling Pathan over fine leg for a six, was bowled by a Kumble faster one. Dilhara Fernando top edged Harbhajan Singh to Sourav Ganguly for the offie's first wicket of the match, leaving middle order batsman Jehan Mubarak stranded on 29. (Agencies)
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