Our Bureau
Colombo
India remained firmly in control of the second Test against Sri Lanka after Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar led a disciplined bowling effort on Day 3, reducing the hosts to 265/8 before rain forced an early close at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
India, who declared their first innings at 503/9, now lead by 238 runs with only two Sri Lankan wickets remaining. The hosts must score at least 39 more runs to avoid the follow-on.
Krishna was the standout performer with 3/47, while Suthar claimed three wickets as India’s attack repeatedly broke through Sri Lanka’s resistance. The pacer had already made an impact late on Day 2, and continued to trouble the hosts with his pace and movement.
Sri Lanka initially fought back through Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis, who added 87 runs for the fourth wicket. Sooriyabandara completed his maiden Test half-century, but Krishna returned to remove Mendis for 32 before lunch.
Suthar then struck after the interval, dismissing Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva for eight. Ravindra Jadeja subsequently removed Sooriyabandara for 80, while Mohammed Siraj and Jadeja added further pressure as Sri Lanka slipped to 173/7.
However, Sonal Dinusha mounted a determined lower-order resistance. He remained unbeaten on 85 at stumps and shared a 57-run eighth-wicket partnership with Keshara Nuwantha, helping Sri Lanka cross 250.
Rain eventually interrupted play and brought the day’s proceedings to an early end, leaving India needing just two wickets to complete the innings and strengthen their position in the Test.