Venkatsai Laxman overcame back spasms to hit an unbeaten 103 as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final Test on Saturday to draw the three-match series 1-1.

Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 54 and Suresh Raina made 41 not out to help India surpass a challenging target of 257 just before tea on the fifth day at the R Sara Oval.

Raina smashed seamer Chanaka Welegedera over mid-on for a six to signal the series-levelling win after Sri Lanka had taken the opening Test by 10 wickets, while the second was drawn.

Laxman, aged 35, and Tendulkar, 37, shared a match-winning partnership of 109 runs for the fifth wicket in what was probably the last Test innings for the two veterans on Sri Lankan soil.

Laxman was on 60 when he developed back spasms and called for a runner in Virender Sehwag after being treated by team physiotherapist Nitin Patel on the field.

The stylish Hyderabad batsman, later named man-of-the-match, followed his 56 in the first innings with his 16th Test century that was studded with 12 boundaries.

Raina, playing only his second Test, hit four fours and a six during an unbroken stand of 87 for the sixth wicket with

Laxman.

Laxman's exquisite strokeplay inspired the Indians to ward off the threat of the Sri Lankan spinners exploiting the bounce and turn on a fifth-day wicket.

Off- spinner Suraj Randiv, brought in to replace world bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan, who retired after the first Test, claimed all five Indian wickets to fall.

But Randiv had little support at the other end as sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga went for 0-49 from 12 overs and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis conceded 65 runs in 14 wicketless overs.

Tendulkar, the world's leading rungetter, marked his record 169th Test appearance with a dour half-century during a three-hour vigil at the crease.

Sri Lanka should have got rid of Tendulkar when he was on 18, but Tillakratne Dilshan floored a simple catch at forward short-leg off Randiv.

Tendulkar fell in the fifth over after lunch when he gloved a sweep off Randiv and was taken smartly down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the win answered critics who wrote off the team after the first Test.

"There was a lot said about us when we

FROM PAGE 17

lost the first Test, that our bowling was weak and the batsmen were not doing enough," saidDhoni.

"But we proved in this game that there was nothing wrong. Laxman and Tendulkar were outstanding. Their experience helped us to soak in the pressure of a fourth innings chase.

"In the end, it was a very convincing win."

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara conceded Laxman took the match away, but rued the lack of support for Randiv and the meagre total of 267 in their second innings.

"Laxman was fantastic and Sachin also played really well,

but it would have helped if someone had backed Randiv," said Sangakkara.

"The guys can be proud of their effort all through the series. In this game we were found wanting with our batting, especially in the second innings.

"But I am happy the way we played in the three Tests. It was a young bowling attack and this series was a good learning experience for them."

India and Sri Lanka will now be joined by New Zealand for a limited-overs tri-series that opens in Dambulla on August 10.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SRI LANKA: First innings 425 (Samaraweera 137 not out, Sangakkara 75, M

Jayawardene 56, Mathews 45, Dilshan 41; Ojha 4-115, Sharma 3-72) and second innings 267 (Samaraweera 83, Mendis 78, Sangakkara 28; Mishra 3-47, Sehwag 3-51, Ojha3-89)

INDIA: First innings 436 (Sehwag 109, Raina 62, Laxman 56, Mithun 46, Tendulkar 41, Mishra 40; Randiv 4-80, Malinga 3-119) and second innings 258 for 5 (Laxman 103 not out, Tendulkar 54, Raina 41 not out; Randiv5-82)

Result: India won by 5 wickets and drew the 3-Test Series 1 -1. Man-of-the-match: VVS Laxman.

Man-of-the-series: Virender Sehwag.