Sri Lanka was given a much-needed boost by Sonal Dinusha’s unbeaten 85, but India continued to press home the advantage in the second Test in Colombo. The hosts were left on 238 for the loss of 8 in the third day, after which they were served a comfortable 503 for 9 by India’s first innings.
Exhaustive effort by India to secure a wicket from the Sri Lankan innings came to a premature end due to bad light and the rain. The visitors will remain favourite to win a 2-0 series as there is still two wickets to go.
India is poised for a collapse unless Dinusha steps in.Unless Dinusha steps in, India will face collapse.
Dinusha has again proved to be the most dependable batsman of the series for Sri Lanka. He took the pace and spin pressures flawlessly and the sweeps and footwork were used effectively as wickets continued to tumble around him.
He sealed Sri Lanka’s innings with his unbeaten 85. Lahiru Kumara was a big help at the other end in that case as he stayed unbeaten for 50 deliveries.
The pair refused to go down and India was forced to settle for 8 wickets instead of finishing day 3.
Sooriyabandara has led Sri Lanka in its earlier battle.
Dinusha took centre stage but the hosts had hope before her with the spirited 80 of Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
Sri Lanka rebounded from 8 for 2 with Sooriyabandara’s assistance from Kamindu Mendis. Their combination together managed to score 87 runs and took the pressure off India for a while.
Sooriyabandara then went on to make his first fifty in the Test format and kept going on the attack on the bowling. His innings were eventually cut short when Ravindra Jadeja hit an inside edge and it came back onto the stumps.
India continues to make breakthroughs.
India’s bowlers were unable to impose pressure on Sri Lanka, but they kept on picking wickets whenever Sri Lanka were on the front foot.
Prasidh Krishna was outstanding in his actions and picked off Kamindu Mendis and Kamil Mishara. The pacer’s second breakthrough was at an opportune moment, when Mendis was just starting to establish a big partnership.
Manav Suthar also did a fine job in disposing of Dhananjaya de Silva and then Keshara Nuwantha. Mohammed Siraj took another wicket as Niroshan Dickwella edged a duck behind.
Sri Lanka’s still face huge deficit.
Sri Lanka is still in a difficult situation despite Dinusha’s resistance. They are still 238 runs behind, and India have two wickets to pick up before they can start their second innings.
Dinusha’s knock has saved the hosts from another dramatic collapse as they have already lost 6 wickets in the day.
Now India will focus on closing the last two wickets in the run-up to the resumption of the game. In Sri Lanka, however, the lower order will have to play a pivotal role to compensate for Dinusha’s shortcomings if they have to narrow the gap and sustain the Test.
The third day is already cut short by rain and soon the light will be waning, and the next session may be all the difference in the match.