India remained firmly in command of the second Test against Sri Lanka despite a determined fightback from the hosts on Day 3 at the Sinhalese Sports Club. After declaring their first innings at a commanding 503/9, India reduced Sri Lanka to 265/8 at stumps, leaving the hosts 238 runs behind with two wickets still remaining. Rain and a wet outfield brought an early end to play, preventing India from completing the job.
Sri Lanka began the day in serious trouble at 8/2, having lost two wickets late on Day 2. India’s Prasidh Krishna quickly added to their problems, removing Kamil Mishara early and putting further pressure on the home side. However, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis produced an important 87-run partnership that temporarily shifted the momentum towards Sri Lanka. Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test innings, scored a determined 80 off 133 balls, including nine boundaries, to give Sri Lanka some much-needed resistance.
Krishna eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 32 and completed an impressive three-wicket haul. Prasidh Krishna finished the day among India’s standout performers, while Manav Suthar also claimed three wickets as India’s bowlers repeatedly struck whenever Sri Lanka appeared to be building momentum.
Sri Lanka’s lower order, however, refused to surrender. Sonal Dinusha produced the innings of the day for the hosts, remaining unbeaten on 85 from 137 deliveries, with six fours and two sixes. He received valuable support from Keshara Nuwantha and Lahiru Kumara, helping Sri Lanka move from a precarious position towards 265/8 and avoid an even heavier collapse.
India’s massive first-innings total remains the defining advantage of the Test. Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 115 and Devdutt Padikkal’s century helped India reach 503/9 before captain Shubman Gill declared, giving the bowlers ample time to attack Sri Lanka.
There was also a concern for India as Rishabh Pant did not keep wicket on Day 3, with Dhruv Jurel taking over behind the stumps. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said Pant’s shoulder was badly bruised, although the team remained confident about his availability.
With Sri Lanka still 238 runs short of India’s first-innings total, India remain in a commanding position heading into Day 4. The immediate objective will be to dismiss the final two Sri Lankan batters quickly and decide whether to enforce the follow-on or use the remaining match time to build an even larger advantage.
India currently lead the three-Test series 1-0, having won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs. A victory in Colombo would give Shubman Gill’s side an unassailable series lead.
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