India's bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka's second innings, with debutant Manav Suthar claiming four wickets and Ravindra Jadeja taking three to secure a substantial first-innings advantage despite a resilient century from Sonal Dinusha.
India has established a commanding position in their Test match against Sri Lanka, building a 178-run lead after the hosts were bowled out for 284 in their first innings. The visitors had scored 462 runs, with notable contributions from Devdutt Padikkal's 167 and KL Rahul's 82.
Manav Suthar made an impressive debut for India, striking immediately with a wicket off his first delivery and finishing with four wickets for 76 runs. His ability to bowl consistently in the 4-5 metre length zone proved particularly effective against Sri Lanka's batsmen. Ravindra Jadeja provided crucial support with three wickets, while also achieving a personal milestone by becoming only the ninth spinner to reach 350 Test wickets. The remaining India bowlers each contributed one wicket to the effort.
Sri Lanka's innings was built around a significant 146-run partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella for the sixth wicket. Dinusha went on to score his maiden Test century, while Dickwella added 80 runs before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna. Despite India having the opportunity to enforce a follow-on when Sri Lanka slipped to 90 for 5, the batting pair's counter-attack made that option unavailable. The partnership benefited from a softening ball as the match progressed, with both batsmen employing aggressive sweep shots to disrupt India's bowling.
With potentially 196 overs remaining in the match after rain cost India 13 overs of batting opportunity, the visiting team remains in a strong position to force a result.
