By Dwayne Ferreira.
Score at Latest Update
India – 503/9 declared
Sri Lanka – 290 & 329/6
Sri Lanka lead by 116 runs
Sonal Dinusha – 55*
Keshara Nuwantha – 46*
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka mounted a determined fightback on the fifth morning of the second Test against India, reaching 329 for six and extending their lead to 116 runs as Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha frustrated the visitors at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Resuming on 229 for six with only a 16-run advantage, Sri Lanka began the final day in a precarious position. India appeared just four wickets away from setting themselves a potentially modest victory target and completing a 2-0 series sweep.
Instead, Dinusha and Nuwantha transformed the complexion of the morning.
At the latest update, Dinusha had progressed to 55 from 106 deliveries, while Nuwantha had battled his way to 46 from 149 balls. Sri Lanka were 329 for six after 104 overs, with India yet to claim a wicket on the final morning.
Sri Lanka Turn Survival Into Resistance
The pair initially concentrated on survival before gradually beginning to collect runs against India’s spinners.
Dinusha, who had already scored a superb 103 in Sri Lanka’s first innings, once again emerged as a major obstacle for the visitors. His half-century continued an impressive series in which the left-hander has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to withstand India’s attack.
Nuwantha provided equally important support at the other end, displaying considerable patience as India rotated Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain in search of a breakthrough.
Sri Lanka had started the morning with Dinusha on seven and Nuwantha on three after rain brought Day Four to a premature conclusion. By the time the score passed 300, the hosts had not only wiped away India’s advantage but begun constructing a meaningful fourth-innings target.
India had earlier declared their first innings on 503 for nine before dismissing Sri Lanka for 290, securing a commanding 213-run advantage and enforcing the follow-on.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara then led Sri Lanka’s second-innings resistance with 92, while Kamindu Mendis made 55 as the hosts reached 229 for six before rain intervened on Wednesday.
Pressure Beginning to Shift
India still remain favourites if they can remove the final four wickets quickly, but every additional run is making their eventual chase more complicated.
Jadeja had figures of one for 77 from 27 overs at the latest update, while Suthar had taken two for 98.
Weather could also become increasingly important. Rain interrupted both Days Three and Four, while further showers have been forecast for Colombo during the final day.
For Sri Lanka, however, the equation has become simple: bat for as long as possible.
What appeared at the start of play to be India’s final push towards victory has instead developed into a genuine fifth-day battle, with Dinusha and Nuwantha keeping Sri Lanka alive and forcing the visitors to work considerably harder for the series-clinching win.
