Hosts reach 229/6 after following on, take slender 16-run lead at stumps on Day 4
Colombo: India tightened the noose around Sri Lanka after enforcing the follow-on, but the hosts staged a spirited fightback before rain brought an early end to the fourth day of the second Test here on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka, who resumed their first innings at 265 for eight, were bowled out for 290, falling 213 runs short of India’s 503 for nine declared. Asked to follow on, the hosts fought back strongly to take a 16-run lead at close, with four wickets remaining.
India made early inroads through Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, but Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis frustrated the visitors with a 115-run third-wicket stand. Mendis made 55 off 92 balls, while Sooriyabandara followed his first-innings 80 with a fighting 92.
Shubman Gill produced a superb catch to dismiss Mendis off Prasidh Krishna before Manav Suthar removed Dhananjaya de Silva and Sooriyabandara. Saransh Jain then trapped Niroshan Dickwella leg before wicket for six.
India’s spinners, however, conceded 10 no-balls, with Jadeja and Saransh both guilty of overstepping.
Rain halted play and eventually ended the day, leaving India four wickets away from victory, although the weather could have a major say in the outcome.
