India regain control after Sri Lanka's promising fightback fades late on Day 4

India moved back into a commanding position in the Colombo Test after Sri Lanka's impressive resistance finally began to break down during the final session of Day 4. The hosts had fought their way into a promising position after being asked to follow on, but India's bowlers produced a late burst to leave Sri Lanka six wickets down and only 16 runs ahead.

At stumps, Sri Lanka were 229 for 6 in their second innings. Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha were at the crease when fading light and rain brought an early end to the day's play. India now need four wickets on the final day before chasing whatever target the hosts can establish.

Dinusha completes another hundred

Sri Lanka began the day at 265 for 8 in their first innings, still 238 runs behind India's massive 503 for 9 declaration. Sonal Dinusha was unbeaten on 85 and carried the responsibility of trying to reduce the deficit.

The left-hander immediately changed gears in the morning session. He attacked Saransh Jain with a six and a four before reaching his second century of the series with a boundary off Prasidh Krishna.

Dinusha's hundred gave Sri Lanka valuable momentum, but the resistance could not prevent India from taking a substantial first-innings lead.

Sri Lanka bowled out for 290

Lahiru Kumara briefly attempted to accelerate the scoring, hitting Saransh for four. However, his aggressive approach ended almost immediately when he miscued a lofted shot towards deep cover, where Dhruv Jurel completed an excellent low catch.

Saransh then removed Dinusha for 103. The off-spinner drew the batter into a forward push outside off, with the resulting edge travelling safely to KL Rahul at slip.

Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 290, leaving India with a first-innings advantage of 213 runs.

India enforce the follow-on

With such a significant lead, India chose not to bat again and instead asked Sri Lanka to follow on. The decision gave the visitors a chance to attack the hosts immediately and created a pathway towards a potential innings victory.

Sri Lanka did not collapse immediately, however. Lahiru Udara fell early, but Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooriyabandara responded positively against India's spinners.

The pair added 58 runs before Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership by trapping Mishara lbw for 32.

Sooriyabandara and Mendis fight back

Sooriyabandara continued to hold Sri Lanka's second innings together and was joined by Kamindu Mendis. The two batters gradually shifted the momentum towards the hosts and began to put India's bowlers under pressure.

Sooriyabandara reached his second fifty of the match with a boundary off Jadeja. That achievement made him the first Sri Lankan batter since Danushka Gunathilaka in 2018 to register twin fifties in a Test at the SSC.

Mendis followed him to fifty by hitting Prasidh Krishna for six, bringing up his first half-century against India. Their partnership crossed 100 runs and suddenly Sri Lanka were within sight of wiping out the deficit.

India finally break the partnership

India needed a breakthrough and Prasidh Krishna delivered it. The fast bowler went short to Mendis, who attempted to pull the ball, but Shubman Gill produced an excellent running catch at square leg.

The wicket ended a 116-run partnership and stopped Sri Lanka from completely taking control of the second innings.

Even after losing Mendis, Sri Lanka remained difficult to dislodge. Sooriyabandara and captain Dhananjaya de Silva concentrated on survival and took the hosts to tea at 199 for 3.

Sri Lanka were just 14 runs behind

The tea score reflected how dramatically the match had changed. Sri Lanka had arrived at 199 for 3, only 14 runs short of eliminating India's first-innings advantage.

Sooriyabandara was approaching a century, while Dhananjaya had settled into a defensive role. India had worked hard throughout the middle session but had managed only one wicket.

The hosts appeared to have given themselves a genuine opportunity to save the Test.

Suthar changes the game

The final session brought a completely different story. Dhananjaya briefly looked to accelerate, hitting Manav Suthar for six, but the spinner responded almost immediately.

Suthar produced a flatter delivery that Dhananjaya miscued onto his thigh pad. The ball went towards gully, where Devdutt Padikkal took a sharp catch to remove the Sri Lankan captain.

The wicket opened the door for India, and they quickly took advantage.

Sooriyabandara falls for 92

Sooriyabandara's excellent innings ended soon afterwards. Having survived an lbw review earlier because of an inside edge, he attempted to attack Suthar but could not reach a slower, wider delivery.

Rishabh Pant completed the stumping comfortably, ending Sooriyabandara's determined 92-run effort.

His dismissal was a major blow to Sri Lanka because he had been the central figure in their attempt to build a match-saving second innings.

Saransh adds another wicket

India tightened the pressure further when Saransh Jain trapped Niroshan Dickwella lbw. The wicket left Sri Lanka at 218 for 6 and reduced the hosts' chances of establishing a substantial lead.

From 199 for 3 at tea, Sri Lanka had lost three wickets for just 19 runs. The momentum that had been firmly with the hosts earlier in the day had shifted back towards India.

Rain prevents further damage

Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha managed to survive the remaining overs as the light deteriorated. Rain then arrived, forcing play to end earlier than scheduled.

The interruption was valuable for Sri Lanka because it prevented India from having additional time to attack the lower order. The hosts will resume with only a 16-run lead, but four wickets still remain.

India's bowlers keep the pressure on

Manav Suthar has been particularly influential with the ball. After claiming three wickets in the first innings, he added two more in the second and played a central role in India's late recovery.

Prasidh Krishna also made an important contribution, taking three wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and later removing Kamindu Mendis when the partnership with Sooriyabandara threatened to change the direction of the match.

Saransh Jain has also provided valuable support, collecting wickets in both innings during his Test debut.

Sri Lanka still have a chance

Despite India's strong position, Sri Lanka have not been completely eliminated from the contest. Dinusha remains unbeaten and will resume alongside Keshara Nuwantha with the task of extending the lead as far as possible.

Every additional run will increase the pressure on India's batting order, particularly if the hosts can reach a lead of 100 or more. However, India will be confident that four early wickets could expose the lower order and leave them with a manageable chase.

The final day holds the key

The Colombo Test is now set up for a decisive final day. India need four wickets to finish Sri Lanka's second innings, while the hosts need to extend their lead enough to create a realistic defence.

Day 4 showed how quickly the balance can change. Sri Lanka looked increasingly comfortable during the second and third sessions before India's bowlers produced a decisive burst when it mattered most.

India remain favourites

India's first-innings total of 503 for 9 declared has given them a significant advantage throughout the match. Sri Lanka's first innings ended at 290, and despite a strong second-innings response, the hosts remain only 16 runs ahead with four wickets left.

With Suthar, Prasidh and Saransh creating regular breakthroughs and the Sri Lankan lower order still exposed, India will start the final day as the clear favourites.

Sri Lanka's resistance has made the Test far more competitive than it appeared earlier in the match, but the late collapse has once again shifted the advantage towards India. The final day will determine whether the hosts can produce one last fight or whether India can complete a dominant victory in Colombo.