Colombo: India will look to complete a 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka as the second and final Test enters its decisive fifth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The hosts will resume at 229/6 in their second innings, holding an overall lead of just 16 runs after rain brought an early end to play on Day 4.

India dominated the Test after captain Shubman Gill elected to bat first and the visitors posted a mammoth 503/9 declared. Sri Lanka were subsequently bowled out for 290, leaving India with a 213-run first-innings lead. Gill then enforced the follow-on, putting India in a strong position to finish the series with another victory.

However, Sri Lanka showed considerable resistance in their second innings. Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored 92, while Kamindu Mendis made 55 to help the hosts recover after an early collapse. Rain ultimately intervened with Sri Lanka still six wickets down.

India need four wickets

Sri Lanka will begin the final day with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 7 and Keshara Nuwantha on 3. The pair have a difficult task ahead, with India requiring only four more wickets to complete a series victory.

The visitors’ bowlers will be particularly important if play gets underway without significant interruptions from rain.

Manav Suthar has been among India’s most effective bowlers in the match. He claimed two wickets in Sri Lanka’s second innings, while Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain also made important contributions.

India’s attack will now have to finish the job quickly, especially because the weather remains a major concern.

Rain could decide Sri Lanka’s fate

The weather forecast in Colombo has emerged as India’s biggest obstacle.

Rain forced early stumps on Day 4 after only 72.4 overs of Sri Lanka’s second innings. Further showers were forecast around the start of play on the final morning, raising the possibility of another interruption.

Sri Lanka’s best chance of avoiding defeat may therefore be the weather rather than their batting position.

India have already done enough to put themselves in a position to win, but every lost over could make the chase for the remaining four wickets more difficult.

India made the most of first innings

The foundation for India’s dominance was laid in their first innings.

Devdutt Padikkal continued his excellent form by scoring 117, following his century in the opening Test. Dhruv Jurel also produced a remarkable unbeaten 115, while Rishabh Pant contributed 63. Shubman Gill scored 50 as India eventually declared at 503/9 after batting for 138 overs.

The huge total allowed India to put sustained pressure on Sri Lanka and eventually force them to follow on.

Padikkal’s back-to-back hundreds have also strengthened his case for a permanent place in India’s Test middle order, particularly after Sai Sudharsan’s injury.

Sri Lanka’s first-innings fightback

Sri Lanka’s first innings initially looked precarious before Sonal Dinusha produced an important century.

Dinusha scored 102 to help the hosts reach 290, but the total still left Sri Lanka 213 runs behind India. Saransh Jain completed the innings by dismissing Dinusha, allowing Gill to immediately enforce the follow-on.

The decision was aggressive but logical given India’s commanding position and the threat of rain.

By sending Sri Lanka back in immediately, India gave themselves more time to take 10 wickets rather than having to bat again and potentially consume valuable overs.

Sooriyabandara misses out on century

Sri Lanka’s second-innings resistance was led by Pasindu Sooriyabandara.

The debutant appeared set for a memorable century before being stumped for 92 by Rishabh Pant off Manav Suthar’s bowling. His innings included 10 fours and a six and helped Sri Lanka recover from early setbacks.

Kamindu Mendis then provided further resistance with a 55-run knock.

The pair’s partnership temporarily shifted the pressure back onto India, but the visitors eventually struck in the latter stages of the day.

Mendis was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna after Shubman Gill took an important catch, ending a 115-run partnership and leaving Sri Lanka at 178/3.

Manav Suthar continues to impress

Suthar has been one of the notable performers for India during the series.

After taking a maiden 10-wicket haul in the opening Test, the left-arm spinner again played a key role in Colombo. He dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya and Dhananjaya de Silva in Sri Lanka’s second innings and also removed Sooriyabandara.

His ability to create pressure on a Colombo surface has given India another dependable option alongside Ravindra Jadeja.

The final morning could once again become a test of India’s spin resources if Sri Lanka’s tail manages to extend the innings.

India already lead the series 1-0

India entered the Colombo Test with a 1-0 advantage after winning the opening match in Galle by 165 runs.

In that game, Manav Suthar claimed 10 wickets while Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 in India’s first innings, playing major roles in the victory.

A victory in Colombo would therefore give Gill’s side a clean 2-0 sweep in the two-Test series.

It would also strengthen India’s position in the ongoing World Test Championship campaign.

Final-day battle could be decided quickly

The equation is straightforward for both teams.

India need four wickets to win the Test and complete the series sweep. Sri Lanka need to survive long enough to prevent India from getting those wickets, while also hoping that rain consumes sufficient playing time.

The hosts have already shown that they can resist India’s attack, but starting the final day with only a 16-run lead leaves them in an extremely vulnerable position.

India, meanwhile, have little reason to alter their approach. The visitors can attack with their spinners and seamers and attempt to finish the match as early as possible.

Conclusion

India remain firmly in control of the second Test after Sri Lanka ended Day 4 at 229/6 in their second innings, just 16 runs ahead. India had earlier posted 503/9 declared and bowled Sri Lanka out for 290 before enforcing the follow-on.

Sri Lanka’s resistance through Sooriyabandara and Mendis has kept the contest alive, but India require only four wickets for victory. The biggest threat to their 2-0 series ambition now comes from the weather, with rain forecast in Colombo.

If the final day receives enough uninterrupted playing time, Gill’s team will be strong favourites to complete another Test victory and finish the Sri Lanka tour with a clean sweep.