IND vs SL: Sooriyabandara, Mendis Lead Sri Lanka’s Fightback After Follow-On

Sri Lanka showed plenty of fight on the fourth day of the second Test, but India continued to hold the upper hand after reducing the hosts to 229 for six in their second innings on Wednesday.

The day’s play ended early because of rain and bad light, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 7 and Keshara Nuwantha on 3. Sri Lanka have managed to move ahead of India by 16 runs, but they still have only four wickets in hand.

India will now look to finish the job on Thursday and complete a 2-0 series win.

Sooriyabandara, Mendis Keep Sri Lanka Alive

Sri Lanka’s best period of the day came through Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis.

The two batters came together with Sri Lanka struggling at 63 for two. Instead of simply trying to survive, they attacked the Indian bowlers and put together a valuable 115-run partnership for the third wicket.

Mendis looked particularly comfortable against Manav Suthar, hitting the left-arm spinner for two sixes. Sooriyabandara also used his feet against Suthar and smashed him for a six.

Mendis brought up his half-century from 87 balls by pulling Prasidh Krishna over the boundary. Sooriyabandara followed him soon after, reaching his fifty from 78 deliveries.

Their partnership not only gave Sri Lanka some breathing room but also helped them wipe out the 213-run deficit that had forced them to follow on.

Prasidh Breaks Crucial Partnership

Just when Sri Lanka appeared to be gaining control, Prasidh produced an important breakthrough.

A short delivery cramped Mendis for room, and the batter could only edge the ball. Shubman Gill ran across and completed an excellent catch to end Mendis’ stay on 55.

Sri Lanka went into tea at 199 for three and were just 14 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat.

Suthar Turns The Game Around

The final session brought a major change in momentum.

Dhananjaya de Silva was the first to fall after tea. He got an inside edge off Suthar, with Devdutt Padikkal taking the catch in the cordon.

Sooriyabandara was then within touching distance of what would have been his maiden Test century. However, he tried to take on Suthar and charged down the pitch.

Suthar spotted it early and bowled the ball wide of the batter. Rishabh Pant had little trouble completing the stumping.

Sooriyabandara walked back after a well-made 92, but his innings had given Sri Lanka a much-needed chance of extending the game into the fifth day.

Saransh Jain then added another wicket, getting Niroshan Dickwella trapped in front. His ability to extract turn made life difficult for the Sri Lankan batters.

Sri Lanka were suddenly down to 218 for six.

Dinusha Completes Another Century

Earlier in the day, Sonal Dinusha completed his second century of the series.

He resumed on 85 and moved quickly towards three figures. A six and a four helped him enter the 90s before he brought up his century in style, pulling Prasidh through the on-side.

Dinusha’s 103 was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s first innings, which ended at 290. However, India had already posted 503 for nine declared and secured a 213-run lead, leaving the hosts with no option but to follow on.

Siraj Gives India A Brief Scare

India also had a worrying moment during the day when Mohammed Siraj hurt himself while attempting to take a catch.

The fast bowler went off the field for medical attention but returned later.

Siraj appeared to be managing the discomfort when he came back to bowl, using a shorter run-up. Pant, who had missed wicketkeeping duties on the third day, also returned behind the stumps.

Rain Stops India From Finishing The Job

India had enough time left in the day to push for more wickets, but the weather had other plans.

Heavy rain arrived at around 4:37 pm and brought the day’s play to an early end.

Sri Lanka have survived until the final day, but India remain firmly in control. With the hosts only 16 runs ahead and four wickets left, the visitors will start Thursday as strong favourites to wrap up the Test and complete a series sweep.