SL vs IND: Suthar, Krishna keep India on top despite Dinusha's resistance on Day 3

India further tightened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka, as they left the hosts reeling at 265/8, trailing by 238 runs in the first innings at stumps on Day 3. Prasidh Krishna (3/47) and Manav Suthar (3/83) scalped three wickets each to put the visitors in the ascendancy. 

For Sri Lanka, Prasindu Sooriyabandara (80) rescued them from an early collapse on Day 2 and later Sonal Dinusha (85*) held the fort till the end as rain brought an early end to the day's play once again.

Earlier, Kamil Mishara started the day positively, hitting a couple of boundaries against Prasidh Krishna. However, the Indian speedster eventually got the better of him on 19 through a short ball, making him glove it to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.

With Sri Lanka on 35/3, Kamindu Mendis joined Pasindu Sooriyabandara at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed partnership, adding 87 runs for the fourth wicket to help their team cross the 100-run mark.

Krishna breaks 87-run partnership

Both batters found boundaries at regular intervals to keep the scoreboard moving. Sooriyabandara brought up his maiden Test half-century, while Mendis also looked in fine touch. Against the run of play, Krishna once again came to India’s rescue as he made Mendis (32) pull one straight to Ravindra Jadeja at mid-wicket.

Sri Lanka went into lunch on 130/4, and rain delayed the start of the second session. When the play resumed, Manav Suthar added to his overnight wickets’ tally, removing Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva (8 off 14). Sonal Dinusha walked in at number seven and came out playing some shots, while Ravindra Jadeja helped India make further inroads into the Sri Lankan batting, removing a well-set Sooriyabandara on 80 by shattering his stumps.

In the following over, Mohammed Siraj got rid of Niroshan Dickwella for a three-ball duck, getting him strangled down the leg side to leave Sri Lanka on 173/7. With the hosts staring down the barrel, Dinusha continued to move along in his innings, mixing caution with aggression. 

Dinusha's resilience takes Sri Lanka to stumps

He brought up his third half-century, adding 57 runs for the eighth wicket, alongside Keshara Nuwantha (18 off 74) as Sri Lanka went into tea on 216/7. In the final session, Suthar managed to break their stand, removing Nuwantha on 18.

However, Dinusha was in no mood to surrender and got involved in another 35-run stand for the ninth wicket alongside Lahiru Kumara (8*), before rain intervened to bring an early close of play.