Colombo, Aug 2026 : Sri Lanka produced a determined batting effort on the fourth day of the second Test against India, keeping the contest alive after being forced to follow on at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
At the end of the second session, Sri Lanka had reached 199/3 in 56 overs, leaving them just 16 runs behind India. Pasindu Sooriyabandara was unbeaten on 90, while Dhananjaya de Silva was batting on 14. The hosts had started the session at 83/2 and were still 131 runs behind, but a century partnership between Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis changed the complexion of the innings.
India had looked firmly in control after enforcing the follow-on, but Sri Lanka's batters showed considerable composure against an attack that had dominated much of the match. Sooriyabandara led the resistance with a confident innings, combining solid defence with aggressive strokeplay whenever the Indian bowlers offered scoring opportunities.
Kamindu Mendis provided excellent support at the other end. Rather than allowing the Indian spinners to dictate terms, he repeatedly used his feet and attacked loose deliveries. His positive approach eventually brought him a well-deserved half-century.
Mendis completed his fifty in the 40th over in spectacular fashion, pulling a short delivery from Prasidh Krishna over fine leg for six. It was his first half-century of the series and his first against India. He went on to score 55 from 92 balls, including two fours and three sixes.
The partnership between the two batters also entered Sri Lankan Test history. Once it crossed 100 runs, it became Sri Lanka's 13th century partnership while following on. It was only the second such partnership against India. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2017, when Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis put together a 191-run second-wicket stand.
Sooriyabandara also reached a significant milestone during the session. He brought up his second fifty of the match with a boundary off Ravindra Jadeja in the 31st over. Advancing down the pitch, he lofted the ball over extra cover to complete another impressive landmark.
His twin fifties made him the first Sri Lankan batter since Danushka Gunathilaka against South Africa in 2018 to achieve the feat in a Test at the SSC.
India eventually broke the partnership through a change in tactics. Prasidh Krishna went short to Mendis in the 44th over, prompting the batter to attack the delivery. However, he mistimed his shot and skied the ball towards square leg.
Shubman Gill judged the opportunity perfectly, producing an excellent running catch to end the 126-run third-wicket partnership and give India some much-needed relief.
The dismissal, however, failed to trigger the collapse India would have hoped for. Dhananjaya de Silva joined Sooriyabandara and ensured that the hosts continued to make steady progress.
India rotated their bowlers and experimented with different combinations. Mohammed Siraj returned to the attack with Rishabh Pant standing up to the stumps, while Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain were also used.
The Indian spinners struggled to replicate the control produced by Jadeja, who remained India's most effective bowler during the session. The veteran spinner finished the session with figures of 15-1-43-1.
Sooriyabandara, meanwhile, continued to frustrate India. He reached 90 from 157 deliveries by tea, displaying remarkable concentration despite the pressure surrounding Sri Lanka's position in the match.
Dhananjaya remained unbeaten on 14 from 35 balls as Sri Lanka went into the final session with renewed confidence.
India had entered the day with a commanding advantage after declaring their first innings at 503/9 and dismissing Sri Lanka for 290. The follow-on appeared to give the visitors an opportunity to wrap up the match quickly.
Instead, Sri Lanka's second-innings resistance has transformed the contest. With only seven wickets down overall and Sooriyabandara still at the crease, the hosts have shown that they are unwilling to surrender without a fight.
The final session will be crucial. India will look to break the remaining partnership and quickly remove the lower order, while Sri Lanka will hope Sooriyabandara can continue his outstanding innings and push the visitors into a challenging fourth-innings situation.
Brief Scores: India 503/9 decl.; Sri Lanka 290 & 199/3 in 56 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 90*, Kamindu Mendis 55; Prasidh Krishna 1/30, Ravindra Jadeja 1/43) — Sri Lanka trail by 14 runs.
