India finally made a breakthrough after lunch on Day 5 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, ending a stubborn partnership that had threatened to take the match away from them. Keshara Nuwantha missed out on a well-deserved half-century after Manav Suthar dismissed him soon after the resumption of play in Colombo.
Sri Lanka had started the final day in a difficult position at 229 for six, holding only a 16-run lead after being forced to follow on. India had earlier declared their first innings at a huge 503 for nine, while Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290. The hosts therefore needed to bat for a considerable period to keep their hopes of saving the Test alive.
However, Sonal Dinusha and Nuwantha frustrated India throughout the morning session. The pair added 111 runs for the seventh wicket and batted for close to three hours. Their resistance took Sri Lanka to 329 for six at lunch, giving the hosts a lead of 116 runs. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 55, while Nuwantha was on 46.
Dinusha's innings was particularly important for Sri Lanka. The left-hander had already scored 103 in the first innings of the Colombo Test and had also made 100 and 84 in the opening Test in Galle. His latest half-century was his fourth consecutive 50-plus score against India in the series, underlining his impressive consistency.
India's persistence eventually paid off after the interval. Suthar struck early in the post-lunch session to remove Nuwantha, breaking the partnership that had consumed valuable time and shifted the pressure back onto Sri Lanka. Nuwantha's 46 was a fighting effort, but he fell just four runs short of his maiden half-century in the innings.
The wicket was significant for India because every additional run was making a potential chase more difficult. Sri Lanka's priority was to extend the lead as much as possible and then rely on the remaining time and conditions to prevent India from forcing a win.
India entered the final day with the upper hand after taking six Sri Lankan wickets on Day 4, but rain and the lower-order resistance had complicated their plans. The visitors now needed to finish the remaining wickets quickly if they wanted enough time to chase a target.
India lead the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 165 runs. The second Test has therefore become a test of India's patience and Sri Lanka's ability to survive under sustained pressure.
With Nuwantha gone, India had finally broken the key resistance. The focus now shifted to Dinusha and the Sri Lankan tail, with the visitors hoping to wrap up the innings and keep their hopes of a 2-0 series sweep alive.
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