IND vs SL 2nd Test: Sonal Dinusha fights back as Manav Suthar strikes, Sri Lanka slump to 265/8

In a series of big events, India managed to maintain absolute control in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Day 3, reducing the hosts to 265 for 8 before persistent rain brought an early end to proceedings. Having posted a humongous first-innings total of 503 for 9 declared, India's bowling attack hunted with ruthless aggression through the day, leaving Sri Lanka trailing by 238 runs and still struggling to avoid the follow-on mark.

India's bowling brilliance

The morning session saw Prasidh Krishna break early resistance by bouncing out Kamil Mishara, though Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis stitched a string 87-run partnership. However, Prasidh struck again right before the lunch to remove Mendis, opening the floodgates for India's spin and pace attack to assert complete dominance in the middle session.

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Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar turned the tide after lunch by producing an edge of Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj quickly dismissed Sooriyabandara and Niroshan Dickwella in quick succession. Sri Lanka slipped into deep trouble at 173 for 7, but a resolute, counter-attacking fifty from Sonal Dinusha provided much-needed fightback to delay India's push for the trail.

Late fightback from Sri Lanka

Dinusha's stubborn unbeaten resistance, supported by the tail, pushed Sri Lanka past 250 before dark clouds gathered over Colombo. A heavy precipitation forced the players off the field late in the final session, but with Sri Lanka eight wickets down and still well adrift of India's towering target, Shubman Gill's side remains poised to enforce total control on Day 4.