Prasidh Krishna produced two crucial breakthroughs to keep India in the contest as Sri Lanka reached 130/4 at lunch on Day 3 of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Tuesday, with the hosts showing greater resistance after losing two wickets late on the previous evening and Pasindu Sooriyabandara completing a maiden Test half-century.
Their partnership forced India captain Shubman Gill to return to Krishna, who had already bowled six overs in his first spell. The spinners, however, have struggled to exert the same control, allowing Sri Lanka to score freely during the middle phase of the session. Mendis also played positively, including a six off Manav Suthar, as the fourth-wicket pair put on 87 runs. Krishna has been the standout bowler for India, returning 3-35 from nine overs at lunch, while Manav Suthar has claimed one wicket.
Dhananjaya de Silva joined him and immediately found the boundary, pulling Krishna through the leg side, but Sri Lanka still have considerable work ahead. They trail India’s first-innings declaration of 503/9 by 377 runs.
