Sri Lanka has grabbed three big wickets in the closing session to throw the second Test against India wide open on the third day in Galle.

India was strongly placed at 1 for 144 before slipping to 4 for 200 in its second innings at stumps, with Muttiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis and Chaminda Vaas sharing wickets.

The tourists are now only 237 ahead with six wickets in hand.

Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had yet to open their accounts when bad light stopped play.

India appeared to have seized the initiative after attacking knocks from Gautam Gambhir (74), Virender Sehwag (50), Rahul Dravid (44) and Sachin Tendulkar (31), before losing their way.

“We are in a better position at the moment and need to look at one good partnership tomorrow and try to win the Test,” Gambhir said.

“I think anything above 350 will be a difficult target to chase. It is not an easy wicket to bat on and it is deteriorating.

“Harbhajan (Singh) and Anil (Kumble) will not be easy to play.”

Sri Lanka was bowled out for 292 in its first innings on the stroke of lunch in reply to India’s 329, with skipper Mahela Jayawardene top-scoring with a stylish 86.

Off spinner Harbhajan played a big role in India gaining the lead as he grabbed 6 for 102 for his 22nd haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.

He was brilliantly supported by leg-spinner Kumble (3 for 81).

Sri Lanka leads 1-0 in the three-match series following its win by an innings and 239 runs in the opening Test in Colombo.