India’s coach Gary Kirsten hailed Mahela Jayawardene’s batting effort over the last two days where he made 275 runs and went pass 9000 career runs in Tests here in Ahmedabad where India play hosts to Sri Lanka in the first Test of the three match series.

The game was evenly balanced on the third day afternoon, but a World Record stand for the sixth wicket took the game away from India and Jayawardene passed several milestones while putting Sri Lanka on top.

"You have to give credit to the way the Sri Lankan batsmen batted. It was a superb effort. Their batsmen are hungry for big scores and Mahela just showed what a quality player he is at Test Match level. He doesn’t give it away and bats for long periods," the former South African opener said.

"I knew when he reached 100 runs he was going to go on. He’s not the sort of chap who’ll make a hundred and say thank you very much and give it away. If he gets a start he will go on," Kirsten added.

Asked whether India can save the game, Kirsten was optimistic that the hosts could do that. "We have got the batsmen to do it and we have got the skill as well. But it requires a lot of concentration and a lot of effort and people in the top order to say that I am ready to save the game for India."

"I think the quicker we get to the 330 or whatever it is, that we need to get over their total is better. You don’t want to dig yourself into a hole by playing defensively. At the same time you don’t want to take too much risk. A bit of a balancing act is what’s needed.