Colombo, August 25, 2026: Sri Lanka showed remarkable resistance on Day 3 of the second Test against India, reaching 265/8 at stumps after being reduced to 173/7. Rain and poor light forced an early end to play at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Sri Lanka still trail India by 238 runs and need another 39 runs to avoid the follow-on. India had declared their first innings at 503/9, with Dhruv Jurel unbeaten on 115.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara led Sri Lanka’s fight with a determined 80, while Sonal Dinusha remained unbeaten on 85 off 137 balls at the close. Lahiru Kumara was with him on eight.
India’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar claimed three wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja took one. Suthar produced another important breakthrough when he dismissed Keshara Nuwantha for 27, ending a 57-run partnership with Dinusha.
Earlier, Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis steadied the Sri Lankan innings after the hosts slipped to 41/3. Sooriyabandara reached his maiden Test half-century and continued to attack the Indian bowlers before Jadeja dismissed him for 80. Niroshan Dickwella then fell for a duck four balls later, leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble at 173/7.
Dinusha and Nuwantha mounted a strong recovery, but Suthar eventually broke the partnership. Dinusha then continued his resistance with useful support from Kumara.
With two wickets still needed to enforce the follow-on, India remain firmly in control, although persistent rain could play a major role in determining the outcome of the Test.
