India retain upper hand despite Sri Lanka fightback

Sri Lanka fought back strongly after being asked to follow-on, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s 92 and a half-century from Kamindu Mendis giving the hosts some hope.

But a late collapse and rain have left the hosts only 16 runs ahead, with four wickets in hand, heading into the decisive final day in Colombo, a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.

The day began with Sri Lanka hoping Sonal Dinusha, nearing his century, could help them avoid the follow-on. Four balls in and he was given out lbw to Saransh Jain on 85, but a successful review showed the ball would have gone over the stumps, giving him a crucial second life.

Dinusha made the most of it. Two balls later, he launched Jain for six before following it with a four, racing into the nineties. He soon reached his second century of the series, pulling a short ball from Prasidh Krishna over mid-on for six.

Dinusha (103) and Lahiru Kumara (12) added 58 runs, but Jain eventually dismissed both to complete his first Test wickets. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290, falling 14 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

India duly enforced it, and Mohammed Siraj struck early when Lahiru Udara (3)  top-edged a pull off a sharp bouncer leaving Sri Lanka at 5 for 1.

Kamil Mishara (32) and Sooriyabandara then shifted the momentum. Mishara attacked the Indian spinners before Ravindra Jadeja ended his stay, but Sooriyabandara continued to take the game on. He did not allow the spinners to settle and brought up his second fifty of the Test.

Kamindu Mendis (55) provided much valuable support, and the pair put on 115 for the third wicket. Mendis, who was not having a great run with the bat in whites, also reached his half-century before he miscued a pull and saw Shubman Gill take an excellent catch.

Sooriyabandara continued to look in complete control and appeared destined for a century. But eight runs short, he was out for 92 after stepping out to Suthar, who cleverly bowled it wide of his reach. Rishabh Pant completed a sharp stumping to give India a crucial breakthrough.

Sri Lanka's late wickets slowed their progress, but they eventually moved into a lead before rain brought play to an early close.

With the hosts just 16 runs ahead, the final day promises plenty of intrigue, with the weather likely to have a major say in how the play unfolds.

Series schedule:

First Test: August 15-19, Galle (India won by 165 runs)

Second Test: August 23-27, Colombo