Colombo: Rain halts play, Sri Lanka leads India by 16 runs on Day 4
Sri Lanka fights back despite rain interruptions
Play on the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo was called off early due to heavy rain, with Sri Lanka reaching 229/6 in 72.4 overs in their second innings. This gives them a 16-run lead over India as the match heads into its fifth and final day. Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 290 in response to India‘s declared total of 503/9.
India will be hoping for improved weather conditions on Wednesday to push for a victory and secure a 2-0 series triumph. Manav Suthar was the leading wicket-taker for India in the second innings, claiming 2/81, while the other four bowlers each took one wicket.
Key partnerships and individual performances
Pasindu Sooriyabandara led Sri Lanka‘s strong batting recovery, scoring a fluent 92 runs from 173 balls, including 10 fours and a six. He narrowly missed a century for the second time in the match, getting stumped off Suthar after stepping down the track. Kusal Mendis also contributed significantly with 55 runs before losing his wicket to Prasidh Krishna, attempting a pull shot.
The partnership between Sooriyabandara and Mendis was crucial for Sri Lanka‘s recovery, as they added 115 runs for the third wicket. At lunch, Sri Lanka was 83/2 in their second innings. Sooriyabandara and Dhananjaya de Silva then helped stabilize the innings. Sooriyabandara was nearing a century at tea, reaching 90, but Suthar eventually dismissed him for 92, which triggered another batting collapse.
Before the rain intervened, Sri Lanka had managed to take a 16-run lead with four wickets still in hand. India‘s spinners maintained pressure throughout the day, contributing to Sri Lanka losing wickets. Saransh Jain, who claimed the final two wickets in Sri Lanka‘s first innings, also picked up a crucial wicket in the second innings, dismissing Niroshan Dickwella when Sri Lanka had a 5-run lead.
Day 5 outlook
Sri Lanka‘s first innings saw them all out for 290, trailing India‘s 503/9 declared by 213 runs, which led to India enforcing the follow-on. Sonal Dinusha‘s century was a highlight of Sri Lanka‘s first innings. In the second innings, Sonal Dinusha has been a key player for Sri Lanka, having scored multiple centuries in the series, and is once again tasked with rescuing his team.
Despite the pressure from India‘s bowlers, including a disciplined spell from Mohammed Siraj, Sri Lanka managed to reach 200 runs in their second innings. Manav Suthar, despite being wicketless for a period, eventually made an impact by dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva after tea. As the match progresses to the final day, Sri Lanka will aim to extend their lead, while India will look to secure the remaining wickets swiftly.
The weather has been a factor, with rain stopping play multiple times, including an early end to Day 4. Sri Lanka reached 199/3 at tea, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara on 90 and Dhananjaya de Silva on 14, helping to reduce the pressure on the hosts.
Source: m.rediff.com
