Dinusha frustrates India as Sri Lanka dig in on rain-hit day three

India's bowlers struggled to finish off Sri Lanka's lower order as Sonal Dinusha led a stubborn resistance on day three of the second Test, leaving the hosts at 265/8 at stumps on Tuesday.

Dinusha remained unbeaten on 85 alongside Lahiru Kumara (8) when play was called off early due to rain and bad light. Sri Lanka still trail India's first-innings total of 503/9 by 238 runs and need another 38 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Sri Lanka resumed after tea at 216/7 and appeared to be heading towards an early end to their innings. Instead, Dinusha once again stood between India and a breakthrough.

The left-hander brought up his third 50-plus score in as many innings in the series, reaching his half-century off 84 balls. He showed remarkable patience against both pace and spin as India's bowlers struggled to dislodge him.

Prasidh Krishna tested Dinusha with short deliveries and yorkers, while spinners Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain repeatedly challenged him with variations in line and length.

Dinusha found two determined partners in Keshara Nuwantha and Kumara. He added 57 runs with Nuwantha for the eighth wicket, with Nuwantha occupying the crease for 74 balls.

After Nuwantha's dismissal, Dinusha continued his resistance with Kumara, adding an unbeaten 35-run stand for the ninth wicket. Kumara faced 50 balls over 65 minutes as Sri Lanka stretched their innings deep into the final session.

The prolonged resistance will frustrate India, who have struggled to wrap up lower-order batting on several occasions. What appeared to be a routine finish after Sri Lanka slipped to 216/7 at tea instead turned into a significant late-innings stand.

India had made steady progress through the earlier sessions. Sri Lanka added 122 runs while losing two wickets in the morning session, before India's bowlers took control in the middle session, claiming four wickets for 86 runs.

Suthar provided the first breakthrough after lunch, finding the edge of Dhananjaya de Silva, who was caught by KL Rahul at first slip after the fielder held on to the ball at the second attempt.

The pressure continued to build before India struck with the crucial wicket of Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who had produced an impressive 80.

Jadeja, who had bowled only briefly in the morning session, delivered the breakthrough. A delivery that came close to Sooriyabandara's body induced him to guide the ball towards point, but instead it took the inside edge and crashed into the stumps.

Two runs later, Mohammed Siraj removed Niroshan Dickwella with a seemingly harmless delivery down the leg side. Dickwella got an edge and Dhruv Jurel completed the catch.

However, Dinusha refused to relent, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed alive and denied India the chance to close out the innings before bad weather brought an early end to play.
(With PTI inputs)