Sri Lanka reached 265 for eight on day three of the second Test against India at SSC, needing 39 more runs to avoid enforcing the follow-on, as rain limited play to 80.4 of 98 scheduled overs.
Sri Lanka demonstrated resilience with their lower order batting to avoid the follow-on threat during the third day of the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The hosts ended play on 265 for eight, still requiring 39 runs to escape India's first innings lead of 238 runs. Only 80.4 overs were completed due to rain interruptions that cut short the scheduled 98 overs for the day.
The contest swung dramatically after lunch when India claimed three wickets to push Sri Lanka toward a precarious position. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella's dismissal on his third ball left the hosts at 173 for seven and facing potential enforcement of the follow-on. However, the lower order mounted a significant counterattack, with all-rounder Sonal Dinusha proving instrumental. Dinusha added 57 runs with Keshara Nuwantha and remained unbeaten on 85, striking six fours and two sixes across 137 balls. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara then batted for over an hour alongside Dinusha, adding an unbroken 35 runs for the ninth wicket to frustrate India's plans.
Earlier contributions from batsmen higher in the order showed promise. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, making his Test debut after replacing Dinesh Chandimal as a concussion substitute, scored a composed 80 with nine fours, demonstrating good footwork against India's spin attacks. India's Prasidh Krishna took three wickets with pace and bounce, emerging as the most effective bowler. India currently leads the two-match series 1-0 following their 165-run victory in the opening Test at Galle.
