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Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha put Sri Lanka in a strong position to save the second Test against India, extending their unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership to more than 100 runs on the final day in Colombo on Thursday.
Sri Lanka reached 329 for 6 at lunch, taking a 116-run lead with four wickets remaining. Dinusha was unbeaten on 55 and Nuwantha on 46 after a wicketless morning session.
Sri Lanka resumed the day at 229 for 6, with Dinusha on seven and Nuwantha on three, holding a 16-run lead. The pair resisted India’s spin attack, with Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar unable to break the partnership before India took the new ball in the 82nd over.
The partnership crossed 100 runs, and Sri Lanka moved beyond 300 in the 91st over. Dinusha brought up his fourth 50-plus score of the series, while Nuwantha survived an LBW appeal against Jadeja after successfully reviewing the decision.
India had earlier declared their first innings at 503 for 9, built around centuries from Devdutt Padikkal (117) and Dhruv Jurel (115 not out). Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 290 in their first innings, 213 runs behind, prompting India to enforce the follow-on.
Dinusha was the standout performer in that innings as well, scoring 103 for his second successive Test century. Pasindu Sooriyabandara contributed 80, while India’s Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar took three wickets each.
Sri Lanka began their second innings under severe pressure after losing six wickets for 229 before rain and bad light ended play early on the fourth day. Dinusha had scored seven overnight, while Nuwantha was unbeaten on three.
India lead the two-match series 1-0, having won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs. Sri Lanka now need to survive the remaining four wickets and the rest of the final day to force a draw.
