Cricket-Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara rues missed opportunity

By Sanjay Rajan

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara rued a lost opportunity early in the first test after India escaped with a draw on a flat pitch on Friday.

Sri Lanka, aiming to win their first test on Indian soil after 27 years of trying, had the home team struggling in the first innings before they recovered to 426 all out.

"We had our best chance when we had them 32 for four but we gave it away after lunch (on the opening day)," Sangakkara told reporters. "There was not much for the bowlers on the last two days.

"If you were a batsman you would like it. I don't think anyone expected this wicket to be this flat," he said after India finished the fifth and final day on 412 for four in their second innings, 78 runs ahead.

More than 1,500 runs, including a world-record sixth wicket stand of 351 between Sri Lanka pair Mahela (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out) and seven centuries, were scored in the match and only 21 wickets fell.

Last year South Africa won a test in under three days on a seaming track at the same ground.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the pitch was of little help to the bowlers especially the spinners.

"The wicket was quite flat but I wouldn't say it was the flattest I have seen," said Dhoni.