2nd Test: Rain delays India’s impending series victory over Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka ended day four of the second Test at 229 for six after India’s bowlers struck late. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis led the fightback with a 115-run stand, while Sonal Dinusha scored 103 earlier. India’s late wickets put them in control, but rain and bad light halted play, leaving Sri Lanka fighting to avoid defeat on day five.
Rain and bad light curtailed play on the fourth day of the second Test, preventing India from completing the follow-on against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had fallen 13 runs short of the follow-on mark, sitting at 229 for six. Sonal Dinusha was the hero for Sri Lanka, scoring a superb 103 and becoming the second century scorer of the series.
Sooriyabandara and Mendis spearheaded Sri Lanka's fightback, forming a crucial 115-run partnership to shift the momentum. Mendis' aggressive strikes, including two sixes off Manav Suthar, and Sooriyabandara's quickfire 78-ball fifty put Sri Lanka in a strong position. Prasad Krishna's dismissal of Mendis, followed by Shubman Gill's running catch, reduced Sri Lanka to 199 for three at tea.
India's late push saw them take three more wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva was first to go, followed by Sooriyabandara, who was run out while attempting a risky run. Rishabh Pant completed the stumping. Saransh Jain then dismissed Niroshan Dickwella, leaving Sri Lanka needing 14 more runs to avoid an innings defeat. However, heavy rain intervened, halting play at 4:37 pm with India at 218 for six.
Prior to this, Dinusha had reached his century with a powerful pull shot off Prasidh Krishna. India also faced a setback when Mohammad Siraj injured himself while attempting a catch, though he managed to return later and continue bowling with a shorter run-up.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
