Resilient Sri Lanka Fights Back Against India Despite Rain-Hit Day Three
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s lower order showed remarkable grit on a frustrating, rain-shortened third day of the second Test, battling to keep their side afloat against a dominant Indian bowling attack.
At the close of play, Sri Lanka reached 265-9, still trailing India’s imposing first-innings total of 503-9 declared by 238 runs. The hosts require just 39 more runs to avoid the follow-on, a prospect that appeared unlikely earlier in the day as wickets tumbled.
Weather and Strategy
Persistent rain interruptions dictated the rhythm of the day, with only 80.4 of the scheduled 98 overs bowled. Addressing the media, India’s fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasized the importance of momentum despite the weather challenges.
“With the amount of rain that is around, it takes a lot of time to put the covers on and take them off,” Morkel said. “Given the lead we have, we want to ask them to follow on and put them under pressure.”
India, currently leading the two-match series 1-0 after a commanding 165-run victory in Galle, remains firmly in the driver’s seat. However, their path to an early finish was complicated by Sri Lanka’s stubborn resistance.
The Battle for Survival
Resuming on their overnight score of 8-2, the Sri Lankan top order struggled to counter the clinical Indian seam attack, spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna. Krishna proved the most effective of the visitors’ bowlers, utilizing his extra bounce to unsettle the batters and finishing the day with three crucial wickets.
The hosts lost two wickets in the morning session and a further three after lunch, leaving them reeling at 173-7. The dismissal of wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella for a three-ball duck threatened to precipitate a total collapse.
However, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, featuring in his first start, provided the necessary stability. Sooriyabandara anchored the innings with a patient 80, though he later expressed regret at missing the chance to convert his start into a “big one.”
Lower-Order Defiance
The day belonged largely to Sonal Dinusha, who continued his stellar form from the first Test. After scoring a century and an 84 in Galle last week, the all-rounder showcased his composure once more, ending the day unbeaten on 85.
Dinusha frustrated the Indian bowlers in two pivotal partnerships. He added 57 runs for the eighth wicket with Keshara Nuwantha (18) and a further 35 runs with fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, who defied the Indian attack for over an hour.
As play resumes on day four, all eyes will be on whether Dinusha can steer his side past the follow-on threshold and whether India can quickly wrap up the tail to capitalize on their first-innings dominance.
© 2026 AFP
