India enforce late charge to seize control of Colombo Test at the end of Day 4
In a day marked by Sri Lanka’s dogged resistance, the equation flipped in the latter half of the day as Indian bowlers finally found a way to seize control in Colombo. India started the day in clinical fashion as they knocked down the hosts’ remaining resistance in no time.
Saransh Jain drew first blood to snuff out Lahiru Kumara (12) before dealing a second dent to get hold of Sonal Dinusha (103) and eventually bundle out Sri Lanka for 290 in the first innings. India secured a lead of 313 runs and enforced follow-on as time was of essence with the game already in its fourth day.
India had an early breakthrough in the second innings as Mohammed Siraj got rid of Lahiru Udara (3). However, Sri Lanka was not willing to relinquish control so early as Kamil Mishara (32) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) joined forces to push back the Indian infringement.
The two added 58 runs for the second wicket before Ravindra Jadeja could pump the brakes to claim Mishara. Sooriyabandara continued his charge while Kamindu Mendis (55) looked in total control. It was Sri Lanka’s best stand of the day as the two amassed 115 runs for the third wicket.
India’s hopes of concluding the game early didn’t go as planned because of Sooriyabandara and Mendis. Just when it felt that Sri Lanka could frustrate India further, Prasidh Krishna removed Mendis from the equation.
Sri Lanka still tried their very best to knit together those crucial shards of resistance as their captain, Dhananjaya de Silva (23) did regulate the charge confidently during his stay in the center.
Sri Lanka called the shots with conviction until a sudden tempest left them frazzled. They were well-poised at 209/3 from 58.4 overs. And then came the storm as Manav Suthar got the wicket of DDS to sow the seeds of doubt. Suthar rocked the Lankan boat again as he removed the most coveted scalp of Sooriyabandara who fell agonizingly short of a century.
Saransh Jain hammered the final blow of the day as he got hold of Niroshan Dickwella (6) to force the hosts to a tight corner. Sonal Dinusha who has been Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer against India, will be the best bet for the hosts to try and push away the Indian invasion when they take the field tomorrow. Manav Suthar hogged the limelight with a late show, registering figures of 2/81.
Brief scores:
India – 503/9 (Devdutt Padikkal – 117, Dhruv Jurel – 115*, Asitha Fernando – 4/106)
Sri Lanka – 290 (Sonal Dinusha – 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara – 80, Prasidh Krishna – 3/52, Manav Suthar – 3/85)
Sri Lanka – 229/6 (f/o) – (Pasindu Sooriyabandara – 92, Kamindu Mendis – 55, Manav Suthar – 2/81)
Sri Lanka lead by 16 runs
