Second Test at SSC
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Pasindu Sooriyabandara (26) and Sonal Dinusha (25) led Sri Lanka’s response on a rain-affected third day of the second Test against India at SSC yesterday. According to the match scorecard, Sri Lanka finished the day on 265 for 8 in reply to India’s 503 for 9 declared, trailing by 238 and needing 39 more runs to avoid the follow-on.
Sooriyabandara, who made his Test debut earlier as a concussion substitute in Galle, looked composed when he arrived at the crease. He and Kamindu Mendis added 87 for the fourth wicket before lunch, Mendis falling for 32. After lunch, Sooriyabandara and Dinusha resumed the innings but Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership, dismissing Sooriyabandara for 80 off 133 balls, with nine fours, according to the match scorecard. Dinusha continued and reached his fifty, recording his third 50 plus score in as many innings.
Dinusha finished the day unbeaten on 85 from 137 balls, with six fours and two sixes, while Keshara Nuwantha made 18 and Lahiru Kumara was 8 not out. India took the second new ball late in the day and will look to take the remaining wickets early today.
Sri Lanka began the day positively. Kamil Mishara found the boundary against Prasidh Krishna but was dismissed when Krishna produced a short delivery that bounced awkwardly. Sooriyabandara and Mendis maintained a steady scoring rate and tested the Indian attack. The offspinner Saransh Jain, introduced early, did not make a breakthrough, and Manav Suthar conceded runs at times before returning the key wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva.
Krishna returned to remove Mendis, who pulled the ball straight to mid-wicket. Sooriyabandara reached his first Test fifty off 76 balls and was 65 at lunch. In the afternoon session India picked up three quick wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva fell to Suthar, Niroshan Dickwella was out for a duck to Mohammed Siraj, and Jadeja later ended the stand between Sooriyabandara and Dinusha. With Sri Lanka seven down, Dinusha and Nuwantha batted with patience; Dinusha used his feet against the spinners and brought up his fifty off 82 balls. Nuwantha batted for 82 minutes before Suthar dismissed him.
Sri Lanka reduced the deficit somewhat, but the position remains difficult. The full scorecard and ball-by-ball details are available.
