India reached 460 for 9 against Sri Lanka on a second day in Galle that lost its entire first half to rain, with Devdutt Padikkal converting his overnight 131 into 167 before the hosts’ spinners pulled the innings back.
Only 43 overs were possible once play began. Prabath Jayasuriya finished with 4 for 109 and debutant Keshara Nuwantha with 3 for 175, the pair sharing six of the seven wickets to fall on the day, ESPNcricinfo reported.
India resume with intent
Resuming on 288 for 2 and conscious of the time already lost to weather, India batted with urgency. Rishabh Pant struck a four off the first ball he faced but soon holed out to a catch at wide mid-off as Nuwantha held his length on a surface offering increasing turn.
The turning point came when Sri Lanka took the second new ball seven overs into the day. Nuwantha, kept on with it, found sharp turn and greater accuracy, and had KL Rahul caught at bat-pad for 82. Rahul had resumed after cramps interrupted his innings on day one.
Padikkal reached 150 with a flick off Asitha Fernando before Jayasuriya beat him with a delivery that held its line, leaving him stranded outside the crease.
Lower order frustrates the hosts
At 377 for 6, a 55-run stand between Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of a cheap finish. Jurel reached his fifty largely in singles, though two pulled fours off Lahru Kumara stood out.
Jayasuriya then found turn from outside leg stump to have Jurel caught at slip by Dhananjaya de Silva. India promoted Mohammed Siraj in search of quick runs; he hit Nuwantha for six before falling to a slower ball from Asitha Fernando.
Nuwantha’s three wickets came on his Test debut.
