Sri Lanka fight back but India retain control in Colombo

India continued to pile on the pressure on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.

Trailing by 495 runs, Sri Lanka had a huge task on their hands, particularly after losing two wickets late on Day 2. Prasidh Krishna gave India an early breakthrough on Day 3, dismissing Kamil Mishara to put the hosts under further pressure.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis then provided some resistance, stitching together a crucial 87-run partnership before Krishna struck again to dismiss Mendis and claim his third wicket of the innings.

"He's (Krishna's) just enjoying his cricket and love bowling. And I think the result is showing for itself.

“He's an extremely hard worker. He's a guy that will do a lot of homework going into games, doing a lot of research on the opposition.

"So for me, he's a massive student of the game, and it is just great to see him grow and develop into a world-class bowler. I think for India, in all formats, he's got the potential and the talent to play for a very long time.”

Manav Suthar soon joined the attack, removing Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva to reduce the hosts to 137/5. Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test, produced a steady 80 off 133 balls before Suthar trapped him lbw. Siraj struck just three balls later to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 173/7. 

Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha then brought some stability to the innings, gradually building a 57-run partnership from 137 balls. However, Suthar ended Nuwantha’s resistance to leave Sri Lanka at 230/8 as India firmly looked in control.

Dinusha was joined by Lahiru Kumara, with the pair adding an unbeaten 35-run partnership before rain brought Day 3 to an early close. Sri Lanka trail by 238 runs and will need to produce a strong batting effort on Day 4 as they look to avoid the follow-on.

Earlier in the Test, India took complete control after posting a mammoth 503/9, powered by centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also struck half-centuries, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (43) made valuable contributions.

Morkel also provided an update on Rishabh Pant, who suffered a blow to his wrist on Day 1. Pant scored a brisk 63 off 89 balls on Day 2 but did not take the field on Day 3, with Dhruv Jurel taking over behind the stumps.

“Rishabh obviously has got hit on the shoulder. He is quite badly bruised. I think he was just a little bit restricted in his movement this morning when he tried to warm-up. 

“Hopefully, he will be behind the stumps for us tomorrow. I think it is important to have him there. His reading of the game is exceptional.” said Morkel.

Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, returning impressive figures of 4/106. India’s bowlers then continued the momentum, claiming two late wickets on Day 2 to pile further pressure on the hosts.

“I was very impressed with the way the Sri Lankan fast bowlers ran in. Day one, it was hot, it was humid. The energy they showed towards the back end was impressive to see.” said Morkel.

“I think that is important for Sri Lankan cricket they keep on bowling their fast bowling stocks. They keep creating a culture where fast bowling is important and understand what sort of identity you need to be a fast bowler. 

“They definitely showed that they were skilled. I am impressed with the way they went about things in the series so far."