Now, the stage is set for a win: Mahela

With a classy unbeaten double century under his belt, Mahela Jayawardene felt that his team can now carve out the much elusive Test victory in India.

"Things can happen on fourth and fifth days. They (India) are under pressure and that can create opportunities. The deterioration (of the pitch) will be there and we have to see how we can take advantage," said Jayawardene. Incidentally, his superlative knock of 204 spanned over eight hours.

“We have handled the wicket pretty well. If we can build a good lead we can create opportunities. We have to bowl in the right areas, especially the spinners and if these things happen we can definitely create more opportunities," he said.

For a man who scored his sixth double century in the Test, it was surprisingly his first three-figure mark in India. "For me a hundred is a hundred. Given the situation and playing against India in India, that's high up in my effort. But the thing is I have played only three Tests in India before this. I had a couple of fifties in last tour and I was disappointed. I was determined to get my first hundred here. I am happy, team situation is also very good," he said. 

At stumps, Sri Lanka were 591 for 5, a good 165 runs ahead of India. The result of the match will probably be decided in the first session of day-four. If the Lankans manage to take their lead to 275-300, they’ll be in with the chance of a win.

"We had a very realistic plan of beating India. It is one of our goals and everything was set up. We were disappointed to let India get away after the excellent start we had on the first day. But they did bat well. Rahul in particular and MS (Dhoni)," admitted Mahela.