Sri Lanka fight back but India retain control in Colombo

India continued to pile on the pressure on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.

Trailing by 495 runs, Sri Lanka had a huge task on their hands, particularly after losing two wickets late on Day 2. Prasidh Krishna gave India an early breakthrough on Day 3, dismissing Kamil Mishara to put the hosts under further pressure.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis then provided some resistance, stitching together a crucial 87-run partnership before Krishna struck again to dismiss Mendis and claim his third wicket of the innings.

Manav Suthar soon joined the attack, removing Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva to reduce the hosts to 137/5. Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test, produced a steady 80 off 133 balls before Suthar trapped him lbw. Siraj struck just three balls later to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 173/7. 

Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha then brought some stability to the innings, gradually building a 57-run partnership from 137 balls. However, Suthar ended Nuwantha’s resistance to leave Sri Lanka at 230/8 as India firmly looked in control.

Dinusha was joined by Lahiru Kumara, with the pair adding an unbeaten 35-run partnership before rain brought Day 3 to an early close. Sri Lanka trail by 238 runs and will need to produce a strong batting effort on Day 4 as they look to avoid the follow-on.

Earlier in the Test, India took complete control after posting a mammoth 503/9, powered by centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also struck half-centuries, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (43) made valuable contributions.

Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, returning impressive figures of 4/106. India’s bowlers then continued the momentum, claiming two late wickets on Day 2 to pile further pressure on the hosts.