Colombo: India strengthened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka after reducing the hosts to 265 for 8 before rain brought an early end to Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 contest.
Sri Lanka, who began the day already under pressure after losing two late wickets on Day 2, still trail India by 238 runs. They will need a strong batting effort on Day 4 to avoid the follow-on.
Prasidh Krishna gave India the breakthrough early in the day by dismissing Kamil Mishara. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis then steadied the innings with an 87-run partnership, but Krishna returned to remove Mendis and claim his third wicket.
Suthar strikes as Sri Lanka lose middle order
Manav Suthar soon made an impact, dismissing Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva to leave the hosts struggling at 137 for 5.
Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test, resisted with a composed 80 off 133 balls before Suthar trapped him lbw. Sri Lanka’s problems deepened moments later when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Niroshan Dickwella just three balls later, reducing them to 173 for 7.
Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha then added some much-needed resistance. The pair put together 57 runs from 137 balls before Suthar struck again to dismiss Nuwantha and leave Sri Lanka at 230 for 8.
Rain ends play early
Dinusha was joined by Lahiru Kumara and the pair added an unbeaten 35 runs before rain forced an early close.
Sri Lanka ended the day 238 runs behind India and with only two wickets in hand.
Padikkal, Jurel centuries put India in command
India had earlier taken control of the Test with a massive first-innings total of 503 for 9.
Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel scored centuries, while captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant contributed half-centuries. Yashasvi Jaiswal made 45 and Ravindra Jadeja added 43.
Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 106.
India’s bowlers then maintained the pressure by taking two wickets late on Day 2 before adding six more on the third day to leave Sri Lanka facing a difficult task heading into Day 4.
