India reached 460/9 in 116 overs on Sunday after a truncated second day at the Galle International Stadium, with Devdutt Padikkal producing a career-best 167.
Heavy rain wiped out the morning session and limited play to 43 overs, but India added 172 runs despite a strong fightback from Sri Lanka’s spinners.
KL Rahul scored 82, and Dhruv Jurel contributed 51 as India remained in a strong position, although the pitch offered increasing assistance to spin.
Resuming at 288/2, India added 76 runs in the afternoon session but lost three wickets.
Padikkal reached his maiden Test score of 150 and became only the third Indian batter after Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara to score 150-plus at No 3 against Sri Lanka.
Debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha dismissed Rishabh Pant for 39 to claim his maiden Test wicket.
Rahul, returning after retiring hurt on 77 on Saturday due to right forearm cramps, added five runs before being dismissed for 82 by Nuwantha.
Padikkal’s 230-ball innings, featuring 15 boundaries and a six, ended when Prabath Jayasuriya had him stumped.
Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja took India towards 400 before Nuwantha dismissed Jadeja for 13. Jurel then struck four boundaries and a six in his 68-ball 51.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva produced a one-handed diving catch to dismiss Jurel off Jayasuriya, while Mohammed Siraj hit a six before falling to Asitha Fernando.
Jayasuriya claimed his fourth wicket by dismissing Manav Suthar for 24. Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten on 12 with Prasidh Krishna on one as India closed at 460/9.
Brief Scores
India 460/9 (116 overs): Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82; Prabath Jayasuriya 4-109, Keshara Nuwantha 3-175.
Also Read: Padikkal’s 167 Keeps India In Control As Sri Lanka Strike Back In Galle
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