Rain forecast for Colombo as India close in on win in second Test

India and Sri Lanka met in the second Test in Colombo on Thursday, August 27, with India four wickets from dismissing the hosts as Day 5 began under a rain threat. The tourists had earlier declared their first innings at 503 for nine.

India reached 503 for nine and declared, propelled by hundreds from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel and a whirlwind knock from Rishabh Pant. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 290 in their first innings, which included a hundred from Sonal Dinusha and a valiant contribution from Pasindu Sooriyabandara, after which India enforced the follow-on.

Day 4 saw Sri Lanka fight in their second innings and at one stage take a lead of 16 runs before India responded; the visitors are now four wickets away from bowling out the hosts and setting a target. Earlier interruptions from rain affected progress in the match on Days 3 and 4.

According to Accuweather, Colombo is expected to be rainy on Thursday, August 27, with cloudy conditions around 9 am and showers forecast to arrive during the following three hours. The forecast adds that the afternoon session will start cloudy with showers likely to return, rain is expected to continue into the evening session, and some respite is possible around the 5 pm mark, with humidity peaking around 84 percent.

A victory for India would boost their chances of making it to the World Test Championship final next year, and Thursday's weather forecast will be pivotal for whether they can complete the win on Day 5.