While India remains in a commanding position, the resilience shown by Sri Lanka’s young batting lineup provided a significant challenge for the visitors. The hosts still require 38 runs to avoid the follow-on, but the partnership between Dinusha and the lower order ensured that the match remained competitive despite early pressure from the Indian bowling attack.
Dinusha and youth brigade frustrate India
Dinusha, who has now amassed 269 runs at an average of 134.50 in the series, proved to be the cornerstone of the Sri Lankan effort. Following his previous scores of 100 and 84 in Galle, the 25-year-old demonstrated immense composure, facing 137 balls and striking two sixes before bad light and rain brought an early conclusion to the day's play.
He found strong support from Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who contributed a valuable 80 off 133 balls in only his second Test innings. The pair, alongside a crucial 57-run stand with Keshara Nuwantha, helped stabilize the innings after India had threatened to run through the lineup. Dinusha remains at the crease with Lahiru Kumara, with the pair having already added an unbeaten 35 runs for the ninth wicket.
India’s bowling attack kept at bay
India had initially looked poised to enforce the follow-on after reducing the hosts to 216 for seven. Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/57. The pacer struck early, dismissing opener Kamil Mishara and later removing Kamindu Mendis, who had shared an 87-run third-wicket partnership with Sooriyabandara earlier in the day.
Other contributions from the Indian attack included Manav Suthar, who accounted for captain Dhananjaya de Silva, and Mohammed Siraj, who dismissed Niroshan Dickwella. Despite these breakthroughs, the combination of persistent lower-order resistance and weather interruptions prevented India from wrapping up the innings before the close of play. With the series context in mind, the performance of Dinusha and his teammates highlights a promising development for the Sri Lankan middle order in the absence of several senior players.
