India took charge late on Day 4 at the SSC after Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s valiant 92 kept Sri Lanka alive, leaving the hosts on 229/6 with a 16-run lead.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara Shines Before Indian Spinners Claw Back Control at SSC
Playing in just his second Test match and featuring in the starting eleven for the very first time, Pasindu Sooriyabandara made Sri Lanka dare to dream of the rarest of fightbacks. However, reality firmly reasserted itself at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground late on Day 4, as India regained a commanding grip on a contest that had briefly threatened to spiral out of their hands.
After bad light and weather interruptions pushed the tourists to enforce the follow-on, Sri Lanka were reduced to 229 for 6 in their second innings, holding a slender lead of just 16 runs. See also: Pant’s Quickfire 66 and Bowlers Push India Close to Big Win
Dinusha’s Century Caps Spirited First-Innings Resistance
Earlier in the match, India had established an overwhelming position after declaring their first innings at a mammoth 503 for 9. Sri Lanka found themselves on the back foot early in their reply, but resilient batting kept them fighting.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara laid the groundwork with a classy 80, showing immense patience and technical maturity against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Lower down the order, Sonal Dinusha continued his sensational series form, crafting an extraordinary 103. Dinusha combined effectively with the tailenders to carry Sri Lanka to 290. For India, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna (3-52) and left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (3-85) did the primary damage to bundle out the hosts, prompting the Indian captaincy to enforce the follow-on.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Lead Courageous Second-Innings Fightback
Asked to bat again with a massive 213-run deficit, Sri Lanka required a monumental effort to avoid an innings defeat. Sooriyabandara once again stepped into the spotlight, anchoring the top order with composure and crisp stroke play. He found a reliable partner in Kamindu Mendis, who counter-attacked smartly to compile a crucial 55.
The duo frustrated the Indian bowling unit across two sessions, rotating strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries. Sooriyabandara looked poised to notch his maiden Test century, playing fearlessly off both front and back foot. Their partnership pushed Sri Lanka into positive territory, wiping out the deficit and igniting hopes of an astonishing escape.
Late Strikes Swing Momentum Back in India’s Favor
Just as Sri Lanka appeared to be steering the match toward safety, India’s bowlers struck decisive blows in the final hour of the day. Manav Suthar broke through by dismissing Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva before producing the prized breakthrough of Sooriyabandara for a magnificent 92. Heartbreakingly falling just eight runs short of three figures, Sooriyabandara departed to a standing ovation.
Saransh Jain followed up by trapping Niroshan Dickwella in front, as Sri Lanka slipped rapidly to 229 for 6. India seized full control before bad light brought an early close to the day’s play. Sri Lanka entered the final day with only a 16-run lead and four wickets in hand, leaving India firmly in the driver’s seat to wrap up victory on Day 5.