When a Sri Lankan batsman scored over 63 percent of his side's total in a Test against India (08 Aug 2001)

Sri Lanka came to India during the early part of the 1990-91 season for a short tour comprising one Test and three One Day Internationals. They were hopeful of doing well but much to their chagrin, they were presented with a dreadful playing surface for the Test at Chandigarh. It was obvious from the start that batting would be difficult and when the strong Indian batting line up was restricted to 288, it was taken for granted that the Sri Lankans would far worse on a pitch that was deteriorating fast.

Left arm spinner Venkatpathi Raju was in his elements. Making the ball jump and turn, he finished with six for 12 off 17.5 overs to bowl out Sri Lanka for 82. But even in this form, he could not get the better of Asanka Gurusinha. The 24-year-old left hander put up a show of defiance that was worthy of the highest admiration. On that minefield of a strip, he displayed perfect technique and temperament. Coming in when the first wicket fell at 4, Gurusinha saw his colleagues succumb one by one but he remained unconquered when the innings terminated at 82. Gurusinha batted three hours and faced 159 balls for his unbeaten 52 which constituted 63.41 percent of the total. Cricket however is a great leveller and in the second innings, Gurusinha was out for a second ball duck as India went on to win by an innings and eight runs.

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