India close in as Sri Lanka reach 265/9 against 503/9 in Colombo

Sri Lanka reached 265/9 at the close in Colombo, still 238 runs behind India’s first-innings 503/9 declaration. The hosts made India work for the final wickets, but rain brought the day to an early end with Sri Lanka still facing the prospect of following on.

Sri Lanka began the day on 8/2, carrying a deficit of 495 runs. Kamil Mishara was removed by Prasidh Krishna early in the innings, before Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis put together an 87-run stand to slow India’s progress.

Krishna broke that partnership by dismissing Mendis, completing his third wicket of the innings. Tanav Suthar then accounted for captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sooriyabandara, who was trapped leg before wicket after making 80 from 133 deliveries.

India’s bowlers continued to make inroads as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Niroshan Dickwella three balls after Sooriyabandara’s departure. Sri Lanka were reduced to 173/7, leaving the lower order with the task of extending the innings and reducing the deficit.

Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha responded with a 57-run partnership. Suthar ended that stand by removing Nuwantha at 230/8, but Dinusha remained unbeaten and added 35 with Lahiru Kumara before the weather stopped play.

India had declared earlier at 503/9 after centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Sri Lanka now require a substantial partnership when play resumes to avoid the follow-on, while India need one more wicket to complete the innings and press their advantage further.