UPDATE 3-Cricket-Gambhir and Tendulkar tons lead India to a draw

* Gambhir scores third century in as many matches

* Tendulkar reaches 30,000 international runs

By Sanjay Rajan

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Opener Gautam Gambhir stroked his third century in as many matches and Sachin Tendulkar recorded his 43rd test hundred to guide India to a draw in the first test against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Left-hander Gambhir hit 114 and Tendulkar, who became the first player to reach 30,000 international runs, made 100 not out to take the home team to 412 for four on the final day.

Tendulkar, who holds the record for most runs and centuries in test and one-day cricket, shared a 66-run fourth wicket stand with Gambhir and an undefeated 137 for the next with Vangipurappu Laxman (51 not out) as India avoided a first home test defeat by Sri Lanka.

The hosts wiped out a 334-run first innings deficit and were 78 ahead when play ended as soon as Tendulkar reached his century.

It was the seventh hundred of a high-scoring match.