IND vs SL 2nd Test, Day 4: Sonal Dinusha’s Maiden Century Not Enough as India Enforce the Follow-On
Sri Lanka’s fight in this Test has never really been about winning at this point — it’s been about survival. On Day 4 in Colombo, that fight produced one of the more heartening individual stories of the series so far, with Sonal Dinusha finally converting his run of good form into a maiden Test century. It still wasn’t enough. India wrapped up Sri Lanka’s first innings for 290, enforced the follow-on without hesitation, and by the end of another rain-threatened day, the hosts found themselves 218 for 6 second time around — fighting just to get through to Day 5.
Dinusha Finally Gets His Century
If there’s one player who’s earned the right to feel good about this series despite the overall result, it’s Sonal Dinusha. He’d already shown glimpses of real class with contributions throughout the tour, and on Day 4 he finally converted, reaching three figures with a well-constructed 103 — his third consecutive fifty-plus score in the series and his first Test hundred. It was a genuinely composed innings under pressure, playing next to a collapsing order around him, but ultimately Saransh Jain picked up the key wicket to end the resistance and wrap up Sri Lanka’s first innings at 290.
That left Sri Lanka 213 runs behind India’s mammoth 503 for 9 — comfortably enough for Shubman Gill to enforce the follow-on without much deliberation.
Sri Lanka Sent Back In, and the Struggle Continues
Batting again straight away is rarely a fun proposition, and Sri Lanka’s second innings didn’t start much better than their first. Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara fell inside the first session, with Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja sharing the wickets to leave the hosts 83 for 2 at lunch. Rishabh Pant, who’d missed his wicketkeeping duties on Day 3 after being heavily strapped up following his forearm blow earlier in the match, was back behind the stumps looking none the worse for wear, with Dhruv Jurel reverting to his fielding role.
The middle session belonged briefly to Sri Lanka. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, continuing the outstanding form he’d shown with 80 in the first innings, and Kamindu Mendis put together a watchful stand that took the hosts to 199 for 3 at tea, with Sooriyabandara unbeaten on 90 at the break. For a while, there was even a suggestion Sri Lanka might somehow scrap their way to safety.
Sooriyabandara’s Second Near-Miss
That threat didn’t last. India’s captain Shubman Gill took a smart catch to remove Kamindu Mendis, and Manav Suthar — the same bowler who’d tormented Sri Lanka throughout this series — struck twice more, removing Dhananjaya de Silva cheaply and then producing a beautifully disguised slower delivery to have Sooriyabandara stumped for 92, agonisingly close to what would have been a thoroughly deserved century in the same match he’d already scored 80 in the first innings. Niroshan Dickwella departed without scoring, undone by Mohammed Siraj, as Sri Lanka slipped to 218 for 6.
Day 4 Snapshot
- Sri Lanka 1st innings: 290 all out — Sonal Dinusha 103 (maiden Test century)
- India: enforced the follow-on, leading by 213 runs after the first innings
- Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 218/6 — Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92 (stumped off Suthar), Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (8) and Niroshan Dickwella (0) among the wickets to fall
- Key Indian bowlers: Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain all among the wickets across the day
Weather Still Looming
As has been the case for almost the entire series, rain has never been far from the conversation, and Day 4 was no different, with the threat of interruptions hanging over the afternoon session throughout. For Sri Lanka, with just four wickets standing between them and an innings defeat, time lost to weather might end up being the only thing keeping them in this Test at all heading into the final day.
Where the Match Stands
India need just four more wickets to complete a win by an innings, and with a spin attack that’s dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting order throughout this series, that shouldn’t take long unless the tail can produce something special. A series sweep — 2-0 — is well within India’s grasp heading into the fifth and final day.
What’s Next
Day 5 promises to be short and, in all likelihood, decisive. Sri Lanka’s remaining batters will need something close to a miracle, or a serious intervention from the weather, to avoid what would be a heavy innings defeat and a series sweep for India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Sri Lanka’s first-innings total?
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290, with Sonal Dinusha scoring a maiden Test century of 103.
Why did India enforce the follow-on?
India’s first-innings total of 503/9 declared gave them a 213-run lead, comfortably enough to enforce the follow-on on Sri Lanka.
How did Sri Lanka’s second innings go on Day 4?
Sri Lanka reached 218 for 6, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara top-scoring on 92 before being stumped off Manav Suthar.
Who were the key Indian bowlers on Day 4?
Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain all picked up wickets across the day.
How close is India to winning the match?
India need just four more wickets to win by an innings and complete a series sweep.
What is the overall series situation?
India lead the two-match series 1-0 after their win in Galle, and are on the verge of a 2-0 sweep after their dominant showing in Colombo.
