1 week ago
India Retain Colombo Test Control After Sri Lankan Fightback
India and Sri Lanka played the fourth day of their second Test in Colombo.
India had scored 503 runs before declaring their innings.
Sri Lanka then made 290, so India made them bat again immediately.
Sri Lanka fought back with good batting from Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis.
Sooriyabandara scored 92, while Mendis made 55.
India took important wickets after tea, including two by Manav Suthar.
Sri Lanka finished the day on 229 for 6, just 16 runs ahead.
Rain and poor light stopped the match early, so India still had a strong chance to win on the final day.
India dismissed Sri Lanka for 290 to take a 213-run first-innings lead.
Sonal Dinusha scored 103 before India enforced the follow-on.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 92 and Kamindu Mendis scored 55 in Sri Lanka’s second innings.
Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain helped reduce Sri Lanka to 229/6.
Rain and bad light ended play with Sri Lanka only 16 runs ahead.
- Who
- India and Sri Lanka, with India leading the second Test.
- What
- India took a 213-run first-innings lead and reduced Sri Lanka to 229/6 after enforcing the follow-on.
- Where
- The SSC in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- Day 4 of the second Test, with the final day scheduled for Thursday.
- Why
- India enforced the follow-on after Sri Lanka were dismissed for 290, while rain and bad light threatened to reduce playing time.
India’s Winning Position
Sri Lanka’s Draw Hopes
Match momentum
India’s Winning Position
India regained control by taking three wickets in the final session and leaving Sri Lanka only 16 runs ahead.
Sri Lanka’s Draw Hopes
Sri Lanka’s top order scored freely for much of the day and rebuilt the innings after being asked to follow on.
Effect of the weather
India’s Winning Position
India may benefit from an early finish because it needs to take only four more wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out.
Sri Lanka’s Draw Hopes
Rain and bad light could limit India’s opportunity to complete a victory and help Sri Lanka hold on for a draw.
Late batting resistance
India’s Winning Position
India dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva, Sooriyabandara and Niroshan Dickwella after tea to break Sri Lanka’s momentum.
Sri Lanka’s Draw Hopes
Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha remained unbeaten at the close, giving Sri Lanka a chance to extend its lead.
Key facts
- India first innings
- 503/9 declared.
- Sri Lanka first innings
- 290 all out.
- India’s lead
- 213 runs.
- Sri Lanka second innings
- 229/6 after the follow-on, giving Sri Lanka a 16-run lead.
- Top scores
- Sonal Dinusha scored 103; Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 92; Kamindu Mendis scored 55.
- India’s wickets
- Manav Suthar took two wickets in the second innings, while Saransh Jain took one.
- Match conditions
- Bad light and rain ended play early for the second consecutive day.
Quotes
Sairaj Bahutule
India’s spin bowling coach
“If you bowl a no ball, there will be a consequence. I am no guardian of the rules but if it (free-hit) comes, obviously, they (no-balls) will definitely reduce. No team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs.”
telegraphindia.com
“It is something which we have been working on. It is definitely a concern at times. But when the bowler is putting in that effort and gets a wicket in situations where wickets are not coming, he has a tendency to push himself, but that is not an excuse.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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