India Vs Sri Lanka Highlights, 2nd Test: Rain Brings Day 4 To An Early End As SL Lead IND By 16 Runs

Hello, we’re back with another live blog! It’s India vs Sri Lanka, Day 4 of the much-awaited second Test at Colombo, so stay tuned for all the live updates.

The 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network and will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website in India. The live action of Day 4 will begin at 10:00 AM IST.

Sri Lanka resumed the day at 8/2 and recovered through Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis, who added 87 runs for the third wicket. Sooriyabandara went on to score a fighting 80, while Prasidh Krishna struck three times to keep India ahead in the contest.

Sonal Dinusha then produced another determined knock, remaining unbeaten on 85 as Sri Lanka reached 265/8 before rain and bad light brought an early end to the day's play. The hosts still trail India's declared total of 503/9 by 238 runs and need 38 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

And there’s the history-making moment! Sonal Dinusha enters a rare club after going past 80 once again against India. He is now only the third batter to score 80-plus in each of his first three Test innings against India, joining the legendary Zaheer Abbas and Everton Weekes. What an incredible start to his Test career!

A cooler morning greets the players in Colombo, with the sun yet to fully break through. Rain could interrupt play at times, while the pitch has remained largely unchanged over the first three days, apart from a noticeable drop in bounce. The spinners may have to work hard for rewards, making patience and discipline crucial on Day 4.

The players are out in the middle and we are ready to resume on Day 4! It is slightly overcast in Colombo, and with the covers having been on earlier, India’s bowlers will hope there is some assistance on offer. A quick huddle from the visitors before taking the field, and Ravindra Jadeja is set to complete his over. Two slips and a short leg in place, India are clearly hunting for early wickets. Here we go!

And Sonal Dinusha has done it again! A magnificent century under pressure, bringing up his hundred with a powerful pull off Prasidh Krishna. What a series this has been for the Sri Lankan batter — 100, 84 and now another 100! It has been another composed and largely flawless innings, and Dinusha becomes the latest batter to register multiple Test hundreds in his first two Tests against India. Sri Lanka's fightback continues, and the Colombo crowd rises to applaud a truly special knock!

Sri Lanka are bowled out for 290, and India have immediately enforced the follow-on! Sonal Dinusha’s magnificent 103 was the highlight of the innings, but he could not take Sri Lanka past the follow-on mark. Saransh Jain had the final say, tossing one up beautifully to draw Dinusha into the drive before finding the outside edge, safely taken by Rahul at slip. A superb knock comes to an end, and with a lead of 213 runs, India will now look for early breakthroughs as Sri Lanka begin their second innings.

Welcome back for Sri Lanka’s second innings! India have enforced the follow-on, and the players are back on the field after a quick pep talk from Shubman Gill. Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara walk out to begin Sri Lanka’s fight for survival, with Udara on strike. Prasidh Krishna has the new ball in hand and will open the attack. A bold decision from India, with a 213-run lead and plenty could still depend on Sri Lanka’s response and the weather. Here we go!

Siraj strikes early! Lahiru Udara’s struggle at the top continues as Mohammed Siraj gets the breakthrough with a well-directed short ball. Udara goes for the pull but loses sight of the ball, sending it towards fine leg, where Saransh Jain comes in from the boundary to complete a fine low catch. Sri Lanka are 5/1, and India have made the perfect start to the follow-on innings!

Jadeja strikes! Ravindra Jadeja breaks the dangerous partnership as Kamil Mishara falls for 32. Mishara goes for the sweep, but the ball turns sharply back into him and beats the bat. He reviews the LBW call, but ball-tracking shows umpire’s call on hitting, with the original decision standing. Sri Lanka lose their second wicket at 63, and India have the breakthrough they needed!

Lunch on Day 4! India picked up four wickets in the session but Sri Lanka have shown plenty of fight after being asked to follow on. Lahiru Udara fell early, while Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooriyabandara counterattacked before Ravindra Jadeja broke the 58-run partnership. Sooriyabandara remains unbeaten on 35 alongside Kamindu Mendis, with Sri Lanka 83/2 and still trailing India by 130 runs. There is some turn on offer, but batting remains manageable, an intriguing second session awaits!

Welcome back for the post-lunch session! The players are back in the middle and we are ready for live action. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, just as he did in the first innings, has looked solid at the crease. Can India strike early and stop him from turning this promising start into another big score? Ravindra Jadeja will begin proceedings with the first over after lunch. Here we go!

Fifty up for Pasindu Sooriyabandara! A positive and stylish knock from the Sri Lankan batter as he brings up twin half-centuries in the match. He steps out to Ravindra Jadeja and lofts the tossed-up delivery beautifully over extra cover for four. A well-deserved milestone, and his partnership with Kamindu Mendis is helping Sri Lanka fight back strongly after the follow-on!

Fifty for Kamindu Mendis! A fine counterattacking knock from the Sri Lankan batter as he brings up his half-century in style. Prasidh Krishna goes short, and Mendis is quick to pick the length, hooking it over fine leg for a maximum. His first fifty of the series and his first half-century against India — as Sri Lanka’s resistance continues!

A determined 100-run partnership between Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara has brought Sri Lanka right back into the contest! The hosts have trimmed the deficit to just 35 runs after being asked to follow on, with both batters showing far greater composure and application in the second innings. The pitch still looks good for batting, and Sri Lanka are making the most of it. India desperately need a breakthrough. Can they finally break this stubborn partnership?

Prasidh Krishna gets the breakthrough, and what a catch from Shubman Gill! India desperately needed inspiration, and their skipper delivers with a stunning effort. Kamindu Mendis takes on the short ball but gets it high on the bat, sending it towards square leg. Gill tracks it brilliantly, keeps his eyes on the ball and completes a superb diving catch. The crucial partnership is broken as Mendis departs for 55, leaving Sri Lanka at 178/3, still 35 runs behind.

Sri Lanka continue to fight! Pasindu Sooriyabandara is inching closer to a well-deserved century, unbeaten on 88, while Dhananjaya de Silva is providing steady support. After being asked to follow on, the hosts have shown remarkable resilience and are now 196/3. India still have work to do as they search for the breakthrough that could open the door for a late collapse.

Sri Lanka produced a superb second session, scoring 116 runs for one wicket to cut the deficit to just 14 runs. Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis added a century partnership and brought up their fifties before Shubman Gill's brilliant catch ended the stand. At Tea, Sri Lanka are 199/3 after 56 overs, with seven wickets in hand and India facing a tricky follow-on decision.

Mohammed Siraj bangs this one in short and directs it at Pasindu Sooriyabandara, but the batter judges the length early. He keeps his eyes on the ball, gets out of the way and calmly lets it sail through. No temptation to take on the short ball. Another dot.

GONE! Sooriyabandara is stumped for 92! What a frustrating end to an otherwise brilliant innings. Manav Suthar, who had been taken for a few runs, changes the pace cleverly as Sooriyabandara charges down the pitch. The Sri Lankan batter had clearly made up his mind early, but the slower delivery beats him completely.

He stretches desperately to reach it, but the ball is well beyond his reach, and Rishabh Pant makes no mistake behind the stumps, whipping off the bails in a flash.

Sooriyabandara walks back after another excellent knock, 92 off 173 balls, with 10 fours and a six. He made 80 in the first innings and has now gone even closer to a century in the second. A superb match for the young batter, but that missed hundred will sting.

Jadeja starts with a flighted delivery that drifts back into the right-hander. Keshara Nuwantha gets well forward, stretches towards the pitch of the ball and blocks it safely. Solid defence, but no run.

Saransh Jain gives it plenty of flight and bowls it well outside off. Sonal Dinusha gets down low, rolls his wrists beautifully and sweeps it firmly in front of square on the leg side. The ball slows up, but there’s enough time for Dinusha to come back for the second. Good running.

The light is fading and the conditions are getting increasingly gloomy, with the ground staff already stationed near the sidelines. There’s no rain just yet, though, so play continues. India will be desperate to squeeze in a few more overs and grab a wicket or two before stumps, while Sri Lanka will be hoping the clouds stay away long enough to see out the day.

Rain brings an early end to Day 4, with Sri Lanka 229/6 and holding a 16-run lead after India enforced the follow-on. Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s 92 and his partnership with Kamindu Mendis had put the hosts in a strong position, but Mendis’ dismissal triggered an Indian fightback, with the visitors claiming three wickets in the final session.

Sri Lanka now need to stretch their lead, while India require just four wickets to wrap up the innings. With the second new ball less than eight overs away, Day 5 could be decisive if the weather stays kind.

That’s a wrap for today! We’ll be back with another live blog tomorrow, so don’t go anywhere. Until then, bye-bye and take care!