India Miss Chance To Wrap Up Sri Lanka As Dinusha Leads Late Resistance

India missed a significant opportunity to press home their advantage on the third day of the second Test as Sri Lanka's lower order mounted a stubborn resistance to take the hosts to 265 for eight at stumps at the SSC Ground on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka remained 38 runs short of avoiding the follow-on after India declared their first innings at 503 for nine. Rain and bad light brought an early end to play, leaving India frustrated after their bowlers had reduced the hosts to 216 for seven at tea.

The major obstacle for India was Sonal Dinusha, who remained unbeaten on 85 after displaying remarkable composure against a disciplined Indian attack. The 25-year-old left-hander completed his fifty from 84 balls and batted for 201 minutes, producing his third consecutive 50-plus score of the series.

India had appeared to be firmly in control during the middle session. Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain and Prasidh Krishna kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan batters, with the visitors claiming four wickets while conceding only 86 runs.

Suthar provided India with an important breakthrough by dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva, who edged to KL Rahul at first slip. Jadeja then ended the impressive resistance of Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who was bowled for 80 after attempting to guide a delivery down the leg side.

Mohammed Siraj soon removed Niroshan Dickwella, who edged a delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. With Sri Lanka reduced to seven down, India looked poised to finish the innings quickly.

However, the lower order once again proved difficult to dislodge. Dinusha first added 57 runs with Keshara Nuwantha for the eighth wicket before putting on another 35 with Lahiru Kumara for the ninth. Nuwantha faced 74 balls, while Kumara remained unbeaten on eight after occupying the crease for 65 minutes.

Earlier, India had made a bright start when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Kamil Mishara (19) with a sharply rising delivery. But Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis then frustrated the visitors with an 87-run third-wicket partnership. Sooriyabandara reached his maiden Test fifty from 76 balls, while Mendis attacked Suthar with a six over mid-wicket.

Prasidh eventually broke the partnership by forcing Mendis to pull into Ravindra Jadeja's hands at mid-wicket.

For India, the day's proceedings offered both encouragement and concern. The bowlers repeatedly created breakthroughs, but their inability to finish off Sri Lanka's lower order allowed the hosts to recover. With Sri Lanka still needing 38 runs to avoid the follow-on, India will look to complete the job quickly on the fourth day and strengthen their position in the Test.