India bowled out Sri Lanka for 249 in their second innings on the fifth and final morning to score a crushing victory in the third Test at the Sardar Patel stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
The hosts took just 30 minutes to complete the last rites and win the match by a huge margin of 259 runs, and the three-match series 2-0.
The first Test in Chennai was drawn after rain washed out the first three days. India won the second Test in New Delhi by 188 runs.
Anil Kumble took 5 for 89, while Harbhajan Singh completed his fourth ten-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with 3 for 79 to end up with match figures of 10 for 161. For his efforts he was quite rightly named the man of the match.
Kumble, who adjudged man of the series, struck in the second over of the day when he trapped Farveez Maharoof leg before wicket. Just nine balls into the day and Maharoof was beaten by the faster delivery from the veteran leg-spinner. (235-7, 86.3)
The match headed for a quick finish as Harbhajan dismissed Jehan Mubarak in the next over. The left-hander played forward, but the ball spun sharply across, taking the edge to V V S Laxman at first slip. (235-8, 87.1)
As expected, the Sri Lankan tail-enders failed to show any resistance and were sent packing rather quickly.
Muttiah Muralitharan tried a huge swipe on the leg-side, but failed to connect as the ball crashed onto the stumps. (245-9, 90)
Kumble completed his 31st five-wicket haul in Test cricket, when he got the wicket of Malinga Bamdara, caught by captain Virender Sehwag at gully. (249-10, 92.3)
The Sri Lankan tail survived only 7.3 overs on the final morning.
Playing his 100th Test, Kumble took 5 for 89 in the second innings to finish with 20 wickets in the series. It was the 31st occasion that the veteran spinner had taken a five-wicket haul in Tests.
His younger partner, Harbhajan, in his 50th Test, also made it special with a ten-wicket haul, his fourth in Test cricket for a tally of 14 wickets in the series. He claimed 3 for 79 in the second innings to follow up on the 7 for 62 in the first innings and end with match figures of 10 for 161, which played play a vital role in India's crushing victory.
Despite not having captain Rahul Dravid, who was hospitalised for gastroenteritis, the Indian team showed tremendous character, especially the lower order batsmen. India were in trouble at 97 for 5 and 100 for 5 in both innings, but the tail showed tremendous application to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers.
