Rain halts Sri Lanka at 265/8 in 83.4 overs as India lead by 238 in Colombo Test
Sri Lanka reached 265 for 8 in 83.4 overs before rain ended Day 3 of the second Test against India in Colombo on August 25, 2026, leaving them 238 runs behind India’s 503 for 9 declared. The interruption ended a day in which the hosts repeatedly offered resistance but were unable to overturn the visitors’ advantage.
Sri Lanka began Day 3 at 8 for 2 and India sought an early breakthrough, with Prasidh Krishna removing opener Kamil Mishara for 19 after having taken a wicket late on Monday. Despite that early strike, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis combined for an 87-run stand that occupied nearly two hours and delayed further Indian pressure.
Sooriyabandara produced his maiden Test fifty from 76 balls, showing judged play outside off stump, while Mendis countered by taking chances, including a six over mid-wicket off Manav Suthar. Their partnership offered Sri Lanka a period of consolidation against India’s new-ball threats.
The stand ended when Prasidh Krishna went short and induced a pull from Mendis that went straight to Ravindra Jadeja at mid-wicket. Soon after, Manav Suthar found the edge of Dhananjaya de Silva, with KL Rahul completing a somewhat juggled catch at first slip; Sri Lanka reached lunch at 130 for 4, still 373 runs in arrears.
After a rain delay before the second session, Sooriyabandara’s resistance concluded on 80 when Ravindra Jadeja beat his bat and disturbed the stumps. Two runs later Mohammad Siraj removed Niroshan Dickwella, who edged a delivery down the leg side through to Dhruv Jurel, leaving Sri Lanka 216 for 7 at tea.
The lower order then offered measured resistance: Sonal Dinusha reached fifty from 84 balls and shared a 57-run partnership with Keshara Nuwantha before Manav Suthar dismissed Nuwantha for 13. Dinusha advanced to 85, and rain finally ended play with Sri Lanka 265 for 8.
Sri Lanka’s two notable partnerships prevented a heavier collapse but did not overturn the match situation; India consistently broke stands before they became match-defining. With only two wickets remaining in the innings and a 238-run deficit, the rain interruption has merely delayed India’s next move.
