COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — In the second cricket test on Tuesday, India’s fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and spinner Manav Suthar each claimed three wickets, putting India in a strong position as Sri Lanka ended the day at 265 for eight.
After posting an impressive total of 503 for nine in their first innings, India has put Sri Lanka under pressure. The hosts now must score at least 39 more runs to avoid following on, with only two wickets remaining.
Sonal Dinusha stood out for Sri Lanka, finishing the day unbeaten on 85 runs. He has been in great form, following up with scores of 100 and 84 in the opening test in Galle. Dinusha faced 137 balls and hit two sixes along with six fours. He was at the crease with tailender Lahiru Kumara, who had managed 8 runs when play was halted due to rain.
India’s fast bowling coach, Morne Morkel, expressed hope of taking the last two wickets quickly to enforce the follow-on, especially given the unpredictable weather in Colombo. “With the rain around, it can take time to get the covers on and off, so we want to bowl as many overs as possible to the Sri Lankans. Hopefully, we can get those wickets early,” he said.
Morkel also mentioned that India’s regular wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant, is nursing a shoulder injury but is expected to return for the fourth day, noting his importance in handling match situations.
In Pant’s absence, Druv Jurel took on the wicketkeeping duties for India. Meanwhile, Dinusha formed a crucial partnership of 57 runs for the eighth wicket with Keshara Nuwantha, who scored 18 runs off 74 balls in a bid to extend Sri Lanka’s innings.
Sri Lanka went to lunch at 130 for four but added only seven runs after the break before losing their captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, who was caught at slip off Suthar’s bowling. Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 80 runs, but he was bowled by spinner Ravindra Jadeja, marking a turning point for India as they started reeling in their opponents.
Sooriyabandara, who had been dismissed for a duck in the previous match, showed resilience this time, playing 133 balls and hitting nine boundaries.
Niroshan Dickwella went out without scoring, which left Sri Lanka at 173 for seven when Nuwantha joined Dinusha at the crease. Nuwantha’s stay was cut short when he attempted to hit Suthar but ended up being caught.
Earlier, Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis built a solid partnership worth 87 runs but Mendis fell to Krishna just before lunch.
Sooriyabandara commented on his performance, expressing satisfaction but also a desire for a larger score. He emphasized that avoiding the follow-on is now their priority.
India declared their first innings at 503 for nine on Day 2, supported by contributions of 117 from Devdutt Padikkal and an unbeaten 115 from Jurel. When Sri Lanka began their reply, they were quickly in trouble, collapsing to 8 for two, and lost Kamil Mishara for 19 shortly after that.
Krishna was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3 for 47, while Suthar took 3 for 83. India currently leads the two-match series after winning the first test in Galle by 165 runs.
