Sri Lanka fight back on rain-curtailed Day 4 after India enforce follow-on

Indian team in action against Sri Lanka (Pic: PTI)

India ended the day with the upper hand despite Sri Lanka's fightback on Day 4 of the second Test between the two countries.

India asserted dominance late on Day 4 of the second Test in Colombo after enforcing the follow-on, taking six wickets before rain brought an early end to play on Wednesday. At stumps, Sri Lanka stood at 229 for six in their second innings, holding a slim lead of 16 runs with Sonal Dinusha (7) and Keshara Nuwantha (3) unbeaten at the crease.

India wrapped up Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 290 earlier in the morning and immediately asked the hosts to bat again by enforcing the follow-on. Although Sri Lanka suffered early blows with the dismissals of openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara once again led the fight back with a fluent 92.

Sooriyabandara built a crucial 115-run stand for the third wicket alongside Kamindu Mendis (55), taking Sri Lanka to 199 for three at tea and bringing the deficit down to just 14 runs. However, the dismissal of Mendis proved to be the turning point when he attempted to score quick runs and was caught near square leg by Indian captain Shubman Gill.

Late breakthroughs for India set up deciding final day

Following the breakthrough, Indian bowlers gained momentum in the final session, taking two additional wickets to stop Sri Lanka's momentum before heavy rainfall forced the match officials to call off the day's play early.

Earlier in the match, India had compiled a massive total of 503 for nine declared after opting to bat first. Devdutt Padikkal anchored the innings with 117, supported by Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115, a quickfire 63 from Rishabh Pant, and a half-century from skipper Gill. Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 4 for 106.

With Sri Lanka holding a fragile 16-run advantage and the second new ball less than eight overs away, India require four more wickets on the final day to set up a victory chase.

Brief Scores:

India 503/9 d (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115; Asitha Fernando 4/106) vs Sri Lanka 290 & 229/6 (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55; Manav Suthar 2/81).