India maintained a firm command over the second Test at the SSC, systematically dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup during a pivotal final session on Day 4. Despite a resilient effort from the hosts, who were forced to follow on after being bowled out for 290 in their first innings, Sri Lanka ended the day at 229 for 6, holding a precarious lead of just 16 runs.
The day began with Sri Lanka resuming at 265 for 8, still trailing by 238 runs. Sonal Dinusha, who started on 85, reached his second century of the series before falling for 103, caught by KL Rahul off Saransh Jain. This dismissal, which secured India a first-innings lead of 213, marked a significant milestone as it was Saransh’s maiden Test wicket. Shortly after, the offspinner claimed his second scalp by dismissing Dinusha, effectively ending the first-innings resistance.
Forced to bat again, Sri Lanka showed early promise through a 116-run partnership between Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis. Sooriyabandara, who anchored the innings with a composed 92, and Mendis, who contributed 55, successfully navigated the middle session to bring the deficit under 50. By Tea, the hosts had reached 199 for 3, appearing to have stabilized the situation. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Prasidh Krishna broke the stand by removing Mendis, courtesy of a brilliant running catch by Shubman Gill at square leg.
The final session saw the Sri Lankan collapse accelerate. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who had briefly threatened to counter-attack with a six off Manav Suthar, fell shortly after when he miscued a delivery to Devdutt Padikkal at gully. The pressure mounted further when Sooriyabandara, attempting to charge Suthar, missed the ball and was stumped by Rishabh Pant. Saransh Jain then trapped Niroshan Dickwella lbw, reducing the hosts to 218 for 6. Poor light and rain eventually forced an early close to play, with Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha remaining at the crease.
Manav Suthar proved instrumental for India, claiming 3 for 85 in the first innings and adding 2 for 81 in the second. Prasidh Krishna also contributed significantly with 3 for 52 in the first innings. The match remains firmly in India’s control as they look to wrap up the victory on the final day.
Brief scores: India 503/9 declared; Sri Lanka 290 (Sonal Dinusha 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80; Prasidh Krishna 3-52, Manav Suthar 3-85) and 229/6 following on (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55; Manav Suthar 2-81) lead by 16 runs. The report also notes that but India repeatedly found ways to stay ahead in the Test, sonal Dinusha and Pasindu Sooriyabandara led Sri Lanka’s fightback with a first-innings hundred and a second-innings 92 respectively. The report also notes that lahiru Kumara also attempted to break free and struck Saransh over mid-on for four. The report also notes that as he miscued a lofted shot towards deep cover and Dhruv Jurel took an excellent low catch, but the attacking approach brought about his downfall two balls later. The report also notes that with the outside edge carrying safely to Rahul at slip as Dinusha was dismissed for 103, giving India a lead of 213, the offspinner tossed one up outside off and drew the left-hander into a forward push. The report also notes that with both Suthar and Saransh conceding runs, kamil Mishara and Sooriyabandara then counter-attacked the Indian spinners. The report also notes that but his 58-run second-wicket partnership with Sooriyabandara ended when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him lbw for 32, mishara in particular was aggressive. The report also notes that becoming the first Sri Lankan batter since Danushka Gunathilaka in 2018 to score twin fifties in a Test at the SSC, sooriyabandara brought up his second fifty of the match with a four off Jadeja.
