By Dwayne Ferreira.
Sri Lanka vs India Day 3 saw Sonal Dinusha hit an unbeaten 85 as the hosts reached 265/8 and fought to avoid the follow-on in Colombo.
COLOMBO — Sonal Dinusha produced another determined innings as Sri Lanka vs India Day 3 ended with the hosts fighting desperately to avoid the follow-on in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka reached 265 for eight in 83.4 overs before bad light and rain brought an early end to play, leaving them 238 runs behind India’s imposing first-innings total of 503 for nine declared. More importantly, the hosts still require another 38 runs to reach the follow-on mark.
Dinusha remained unbeaten on 85 from 137 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, while Lahiru Kumara survived 50 deliveries for his unbeaten eight. Their stubborn ninth-wicket partnership ensured India could not finish Sri Lanka’s innings before the weather intervened.
Sooriyabandara Leads Early Recovery
Sri Lanka began the third morning in deep trouble at 8 for two, having lost Lahiru Udara and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya late on Day 2.
Their problems increased when Prasidh Krishna removed Kamil Mishara for 19 with the total on 35.
However, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test, responded with an impressive display of composure alongside Kamindu Mendis.
The pair added 87 runs, frustrating India and carrying Sri Lanka to 122 before Krishna broke the partnership. A sharply rising delivery forced Kamindu into a pull, with Ravindra Jadeja completing the catch at midwicket.
Kamindu departed for 32, but Sooriyabandara continued to counter India’s attack and reached his maiden Test half-century from 76 balls.
His innings eventually ended on 80 from 133 deliveries, including nine boundaries, when Jadeja found a way through his defence.
The dismissal was a major setback for Sri Lanka, who were beginning to rebuild after their disastrous start.
India Strike Through Middle Order
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva managed only eight before Manav Suthar had him caught by KL Rahul at slip.
Niroshan Dickwella then fell for a three-ball duck, edging Mohammed Siraj down the leg side to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.
Sri Lanka had suddenly slipped to 173 for seven, with India seemingly on course to enforce the follow-on comfortably.
But Dinusha once again became the obstacle India could not easily remove.
The left-hander, who scored a century in the opening Test in Galle, absorbed everything thrown at him by India’s pace and spin attack. His latest innings also gave him a third consecutive score of 50 or more in the series.
Dinusha and the Tail Frustrate India
Dinusha found an unlikely ally in Keshara Nuwantha.
Rather than simply attempting to survive, the pair carefully wore down India’s bowlers. Nuwantha faced 74 balls for his 18, while Dinusha continued to accumulate runs at the other end.
Their partnership added 57 runs for the eighth wicket before Suthar eventually persuaded Nuwantha to drive, with Saransh Jain taking the catch at mid-off.
At 230 for eight, India again appeared close to completing the innings.
Lahiru Kumara had other ideas.
The fast bowler displayed remarkable patience, facing 50 deliveries for eight not out as he helped Dinusha add an unbeaten 35 runs for the ninth wicket.
India took the second new ball but could not find the breakthrough before deteriorating light and rain ended proceedings early.
India Still Firmly Ahead
Despite Sri Lanka’s resistance, India remain comfortably ahead heading into Day 4.
Prasidh Krishna finished with 3 for 47, while Manav Suthar claimed 3 for 83. Jadeja and Siraj picked up one wicket each.
For Sri Lanka, the immediate objective on Wednesday will be clear: find the remaining 38 runs required to avoid the follow-on.
Dinusha stands between India and that objective.
His unbeaten 85 has given Sri Lanka hope after another damaging top-order collapse, but with only two wickets remaining and a deficit of 238 runs, India continue to dictate the Test.
Match Scores
India – 503/9 declared
Devdutt Padikkal 117
Dhruv Jurel 115*
Rishabh Pant 63
Shubman Gill 50
Asitha Fernando 4/106
Sri Lanka – 265/8 (83.4 overs)
Sonal Dinusha 85*
Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80
Kamindu Mendis 32
Prasidh Krishna 3/47
Manav Suthar 3/83
Sri Lanka trail by 238 runs and require another 38 runs to avoid the follow-on.
