Sri Lanka’s hopes of saving the second Test were given a major blow on the fourth day at the SSC as India tightened their grip after enforcing the follow-on.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were 229 for six, just 16 runs ahead of India’s first-innings 503 for nine declared. The hosts now face a daunting final day, with India needing only four wickets to complete a 2-0 series sweep.
Yet for much of the day, Sri Lanka dared to dream.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara continued his impressive introduction to Test cricket with a superb 92, while Kamindu Mendis struck a fluent 55 as the pair added 115 for the third wicket. Their partnership carried Sri Lanka to 209 for three, only four runs behind India, and briefly raised the possibility of an extraordinary fightback.
Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test and his first in the starting XI, was once again at the heart of Sri Lanka’s resistance. After Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 290 in the first innings, India enforced the follow-on with a lead of 213.
The decision initially appeared to backfire.
Lahiru Udara fell early to Mohammed Siraj, but Sooriyabandara and Kamil Mishara responded positively, using sweeps, reverse sweeps and lofted strokes against India’s spinners. Their second-wicket stand of 58 came from just 67 balls before Ravindra Jadeja trapped Mishara lbw.
Sooriyabandara survived a difficult chance when he top-edged Manav Suthar to deep square leg, where Siraj could not complete a diving catch. He made India pay for the reprieve.
Kamindu then joined him and the pair took the attack to the Indian bowling. Kamindu, who had endured a lean run with the bat in recent innings, rediscovered his touch, striking two sixes off Suthar before reaching his half-century.
Prasidh Krishna, however, refused to abandon the short-ball plan that had worked against Kamindu previously. The left-hander continued to take on the pull and eventually miscued one. Shubman Gill completed an outstanding catch at square leg to dismiss him for 55.
Sooriyabandara remained composed and moved to 83 with a six over midwicket off Suthar. But after a long period without a boundary, frustration finally got the better of him.
Suthar floated one wide when Sooriyabandara charged down the pitch and Rishabh Pant completed an excellent stumping. Eight runs short of a maiden Test century, Sooriyabandara’s dismissal changed the complexion of the match.
Suthar then removed Dhananjaya de Silva in bizarre fashion, the ball deflecting off his thigh pad to Devdutt Padikkal at silly gully.
Saransh Jain added further pressure by trapping Niroshan Dickwella lbw, leaving Sri Lanka effectively five wickets down for only six more runs.
Earlier, Sonal Dinusha completed another outstanding innings in a remarkable series. Resuming on 85, he reached his second century of the series, following his 100 in Galle. He was eventually dismissed for 103 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290.
India now have the upper hand, but Sri Lanka still have one final chance. Dinusha remains unbeaten on seven and will resume on the final morning with the lower order.
For a side that looked buried earlier in the match, Sri Lanka fought hard. But with only 16 runs separating the teams and four wickets standing, India are now firmly in sight of victory.
Sri Lanka 290 (Dinusha 103, Sooriyabandara 80, Prasidh 3-52, Suthar 3-85) and 229 for 6 (f/o) (Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu 55, Suthar 2-81) lead India 503 for 9 dec by 16 runs
