Sri Lanka's resistance fails to loosen India's grip on rain-hit Day 3 in Colombo

Sri Lanka resisted India's attack through Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha, but Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar kept chipping away as India remained firmly in control. Rain ended Day 3 early with Sri Lanka on 265/8.Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar stood out with the ball on Day 3. (Image: PTI)Brief Scores: Sri Lanka (265/8 in 83.4 overs) at stumps on Day 3 trails India (503/9d) by 238 runs in the Colombo Test.Sri Lanka had moments when it looked like they could make India work much harder than the overnight score suggested. They had moments when the pressure eased, when the batters settled in and when India were forced to wait for their next opening.But every time the hosts began to find their footing, India found a way to put them back under pressure.Sri Lanka reached 265 for 8 before rain brought an early end to the third day of the second Test in Colombo. They still trail India's 503 for 9 declared by 238 runs, leaving the visitors firmly in control of a game that has increasingly tilted their way. SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 3: Highlights | ScorecardSOORIYABANDARA STANDS TALLSri Lanka began the day at 8 for 2, and India would have been hoping for another quick wicket to expose a fragile batting line-up. They got one early. Prasidh Krishna, who had already taken a wicket late on Monday, found extra bounce to trouble Kamil Mishara. The opener could only fend the ball through to Dhruv Jurel for 19.That could easily have been the start of a collapse.Instead, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis made India wait.The pair put together 87 runs and, for nearly two hours, managed to take some of the sting out of India's attack. Sooriyabandara was particularly composed. Playing only his second Test, the right-hander showed good judgement outside off stump and enough intent to keep the bowlers from settling into a rhythm.He brought up his maiden Test fifty from 76 balls, while Mendis was prepared to take his chances. A six over mid-wicket off Manav Suthar was a clear sign that Sri Lanka were not simply trying to survive.For a team that had begun the morning two wickets down and almost 500 runs behind, it was a useful shift in momentum.India, however, did not let it last.PRASIDH SHIFTS MOMENTUMThe breakthrough came from the bowler who had been India's most consistent threat with the new ball.Prasidh went short at Mendis, forcing him into a pull that went straight to Ravindra Jadeja at mid-wicket. The dismissal ended an important partnership and, more significantly, gave India back the control they had briefly surrendered.The visitors did not need to dominate every over. They simply needed to prevent Sri Lanka from building anything substantial.That is what they did.Manav Suthar then found the edge of Dhananjaya de Silva, with KL Rahul holding on at first slip after initially juggling the chance. Sri Lanka went to lunch at 130 for 4, still 373 runs behind.The margin was enormous, but the morning had shown that Sri Lanka could at least make India earn their wickets.After a rain delay pushed back the start of the second session, India went back to work.Sooriyabandara had carried Sri Lanka through the best part of their morning, but his resistance ended on 80. Ravindra Jadeja bowled one close to his body and the batter's attempt to guide it towards point only resulted in his stumps being disturbed.Two runs later, Mohammad Siraj removed Niroshan Dickwella, who edged a delivery down the leg side through to Jurel.Sri Lanka were 216 for 7 at tea.DINUSHA DELAYS COLLAPSEBy then, the innings had become less about recovery and more about limiting the damage.Sonal Dinusha took up that task with impressive patience. He reached his fifty from 84 balls and refused to let the lower order disappear quickly. Keshara Nuwantha offered useful support, and together they added 57 before Suthar eventually removed Nuwantha for 13.Dinusha continued on, reaching 85 before rain finally ended the day with Sri Lanka on 265 for 8.His innings was important because it prevented what could have been a much heavier defeat on the day. Sooriyabandara's 80 had earlier done something similar. Between them, the two batters gave Sri Lanka's innings shape.Yet there was a clear difference between resistance and recovery.Sri Lanka found two substantial partnerships, but neither changed the basic equation of the Test. Each time the hosts appeared ready to build something, India broke the partnership before it became a serious threat.That has been the story of India's dominance so far.The visitors did not need to run through Sri Lanka in a single spell. They were content to keep asking questions, wait for mistakes and then make the breakthrough when it came.Rain eventually saved Sri Lanka from having to face those questions for a little longer.But with only two wickets left in the innings and a 238-run deficit still to overcome, the interruption has merely delayed India's next move. Sri Lanka have shown plenty of fight on Day 3.They have not, however, done enough to loosen India's grip on the Test.- EndsPublished By: Amar PanickerPublished On: Aug 25, 2026 18:02 IST