Rising Sri Lankan all-rounder Sonal Dinusha struck a second successive century to anchor his team’s innings but could not prevent the follow on that India imposed on the hosts after bowling them out for 290 to grab a 213-run first-innings lead in the second Test in Colombo on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).

India lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the Galle Test by 165 runs.

Resuming the penultimate day at 265/8, Sri Lanka were steered by Dinusha, who added quick runs before the hosts were bundled out in 89.4 overs.

India had declared their first innings for 503/9.

The Lankan No.7, who was overnight on 85, attacked debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain with a six and a four in the spinner’s first over of the day to race into the nineties.

Dinusha then completed his second Test century in the next over with a boundary off Prasidh Krishna.

The 25-year-old left-hander scored 100 and 84 in the opening Test at Galle.

For India, Saransh (1/45) provided the first breakthrough of the day, dismissing Lahiru Kumara for his maiden Test wicket, before taking the prized scalp of Dinusha who got out for 103 (162b; 8×4, 3×6).

Prasidh Krishna (3/52) and Manav Suthar (3/85) picked up three wickets each.

Brief Scores

India: 503/9 declared.

Sri Lanka: 290 all out in 89.4 overs (Sonal Dinusha 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80; Prasidh Krishna 3/52, Manav Suthar (3/85).

Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored an unbeaten half-century but India’s Prasidh Krishna made a vital breakthrough to end an important partnership and have Sri Lanka in trouble at 130 for four at lunch on Day 3 of the second cricket Test.

At the first interval on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), Sri Lanka trailed India’s first-innings total by 373 runs. Sooriyabandara was unbeaten on 65 and captain Dhananjaya de Silva was not out on 4.

India declared its first innings at 503 for nine on Day 2, helped by 117 runs from Devdutt Padikkal and Druv Jurel’s unbeaten 115.

Sri Lanka was rattled early in reply, slipping to 8 for two by stumps and then losing overnight batter Kamil Mishara (19) with the total on 35.

Sooriyabandara, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the first Test in Galle while batting as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal, appeared composed despite the precarious start to Sri Lanka’s innings. He mixed caution and attack in his 93-ball stand, hitting nine boundaries.

His 87-run partnership off 126 deliveries with Kamindu Mendis (32) helped revive Sri Lanka’s innings but that ended shortly before lunch when Mendis hit a ball from Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja at midwicket.

Krishna led India’s attacking with bowling figures of 3-35, with spin bowler Manav Suthar also taking a wicket.

Only 58 overs of play was possible because of rain on Day 2, and more rain Tuesday (August 25) threatened to shorten the match further.

India leads the two-match series after defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle.

In his prime as an opener, Gautam Gambhir loved the scent of a battle and drew inspiration from it. The same combative streak lingers in his second avatar as the coach.

Speaking to the media at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here on Saturday (August 22), Gambhir was asked about criticism. The former India star was quick with his riposte: “I am here to win trophies!” Later, he added: “People in the press-box and commentators know that we are going through transition.”

Looking ahead to the second Test commencing on Sunday, Gambhir said: “Even if you score 1,000 runs, you still have to get 20 wickets; that’s how you win matches. So be it three left-arm spinners or an off-spinner or three seamers, we will take a call on what is the best team suited for this surface, it is about the team and the results.”

Praise for Padikkal, Suthar

Praising Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar for their success in the first Test, Gambhir said: “It is encouraging to see them step up and perform straight away but then again we should not judge on just one or two performances. There will be ups and downs and we all know cricket is tough.”

The coach did not reveal if there would be a swap between Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain, but he did tell about his chats with the former: “I want Kuldeep to just try and bowl good spells rather than looking desperate to take a wicket.”

Refusing to be drawn into a discussion over India’s chances in the ICC World Test Championship, Gambhir said the immediate focus is on the second Test. And as for players breaking down with injuries, he said: “We had a discussion; we want our best players to play as much cricket as possible.”

Three-Test series format ‘ideal’

Earlier, Gambhir backed the three-Test series format, terming it as ideal.

“A three-Test series gives a chance to a team that has lost the first Test to make a comeback and win the series.”

“You cannot do that in a two-Test series as the team that lost the first Test, at best, can only draw the series. Remember, it happened with India once after losing the first Test against Australia, the team could still make a comeback.”

Indian national coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the three-Test series format, terming it as ideal.

Speaking to the media at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here on Saturday (August 22, 2026), Gambhir said: “A three-Test series gives a chance to a team that has lost the first Test to make a comeback and win the series.

“You cannot do that in a two-Test series as the team that lost the first Test, at best, can only draw the series. Remember, it happened with India once after losing the first Test against Australia, the team could still make a comeback.”

The team is training ahead of the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The second Test of the two-match series will begin on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, with India leading 1-0 after a comprehensive 165-run victory in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium.

(With inputs by agencies)