Sri Lanka ended Day 3 at 265 for eight after India declared their first innings at 503 for nine. With only two wickets left, Sri Lanka need another 39 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Dinusha leads Sri Lanka’s resistance
Sonal Dinusha once again stood between India and a complete collapse.
The No. 7 batter was unbeaten on 85 at stumps, continuing his impressive run after scoring 100 and 84 in the two innings of the first Test in Galle.
Dinusha faced 137 balls and hit six boundaries and two sixes. He was joined by Lahiru Kumara, who was unbeaten on eight when rain brought an early end to play.
Dinusha also shared a crucial 57-run partnership with Keshara Nuwantha for the eighth wicket. Nuwantha scored 18 from 74 balls as Sri Lanka tried to extend their first innings.
Sooriyabandara shows character
Sooriyabandara had a difficult first Test in Galle, where he was dismissed for a first-ball duck after coming in as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal.
He looked much more comfortable in the second Test.
The batter scored 80 from 133 balls and struck nine boundaries, helping Sri Lanka recover after a poor start.
Sooriyabandara added 87 runs from 126 balls with Kamindu Mendis, who scored 32. The partnership helped Sri Lanka steady their innings before Mendis was dismissed shortly before lunch.
Mendis hit a delivery from Prasidh Krishna towards midwicket, where Ravindra Jadeja completed the catch.
Nuwantha’s resistance ends
Niroshan Dickwella was dismissed without scoring, leaving Sri Lanka at 173 for seven.
Nuwantha then joined Dinusha and helped frustrate India’s bowlers for a while.
However, his resistance ended when he charged down the pitch against Suthar and failed to execute his shot. Saransh Jain completed the catch.
That left Sri Lanka with only two wickets remaining and still 39 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
Krishna, Suthar lead India’s attack
Krishna was India’s most successful bowler on Day 3, finishing with figures of 3-47.
Suthar also claimed three wickets for 83 runs as India kept Sri Lanka under constant pressure.
India currently lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.
