Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar hit his 48th Test hundred to lead the Indian fightback on third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.

The batting maestro hit his ton in 167 balls which was studded with 13 boundaries and a six.

Tendulkar, who holds the record of scoring highest number of centuries, played brilliant cricket with Suresh Raina to dominate the day.

Sachin also equalled the former Australian captain Steve Waugh’s Test record to have played the most number of matches (168).

Earlier, debutant Raina slammed his maiden half-century to lead the Indian fightback with Sachin Tendulkar.

VVS Laxman departed after a slow partnership with Sachin Tendulkar to leave India tottering at 243 for four at tea.

Tendulkar and Laxman almost batted through the second session but Ajantha Mendis broke the slow 68-run stand by trapping the stylish Hyderabadi 10 minutes before tea break.

Tendulkar, who was dropped on 29 by Prasanna Jayawardene off Dilhara Fernando, was batting on 39 and debutant Suresh Raina was yet to open his account.

Laxman (29) and Tendulkar dug in went about their business slowly and raised a stand of 68-run to deny the Lankan bowlers any success for almost two hours.

The mid-session produced 70 runs after the troubled opening session, which saw India being jolted by three quick blows including that of explosive Virender Sehwag.

Tendukar’s runs came off 95 balls while Laxman consumed 98 balls for his 29-run knock.

The duo slowed down the proceedings by playing a lot of dot balls and relied on ones and twos to keep the scoreboard moving.

Laxman was lucky as his edges, off spinner Suraj Randiv and paceman Dammika Prasad, fell short of fielders.

Laxman finally got out as he failed to read a Mendis googly and was caught in front of the wicket.

An act of indiscretion cost Virender Sehwag and India dear as the dashing opener fell one run short of a well-deserved century. Ajantha Mendis then trapped Murali Vijay.

Virender Sehwag got India off to a quickfire start on the third day of the second Test in Colombo. India were 95 for no loss at stumps on Day 2 after Sri Lanka piled up a mammoth 642 for four.

Sehwag’s half-century on Tuesday helped India’s batsmen make a positive start in reply to Sri Lanka’s huge total on day two of the second Test.