{
  "id": 3503892,
  "title": "India close in on victory after Mendis and Sooriyabandara resistance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/india-close-in-on-victory-after-mendis-and-sooriyabandara-resistance",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-26T11:52:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40436608/india-close-in-on-victory-after-mendis-and-sooriyabandara-resistance"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a tight test match at Colombo, India moved closer to a series sweep victory with the resilient efforts of Mendis and Sooriyabandara. Sri Lanka, bowled out for 290 in their first innings, managed to score 229-6 on day four, falling short by just 16 runs with four wickets remaining. Debutant spinner Saransh Jain claimed the final two wickets for India, forcing captain Shubman Gill to enforce the follow-on.\n\nThe Sri Lankan middle order showed grit, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) and Kamindu Mendis (55) contributing significantly. Their partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket came to an end when Mendis was caught by Gill at square leg after top-edging a short ball. Sooriyabandara, who had a chance at lbw overturned, eventually fell to a stumping from Pant, who had ample time to complete the act.",
  "summary": "COLOMBO: Sri Lanka mounted a brief fightback, but India remained firmly on course for a series-sweeping victory in the second and final test on Wednesday. After being bowled out for 290 in their first innings, Sri Lanka appeared to be clawing their way back into the match through defiant knocks from Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) and Kamindu Mendis (55). However, once the pair were separated, Sri…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}