India’s bowlers regained control on a rain-affected fourth day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on August 26, 2026. After bowling the hosts out for 290 in their first innings and enforcing the follow-on, India reduced Sri Lanka to 229 for 6 in their second innings by the close. The visitors trail by just 16 runs with four wickets remaining, leaving India firmly on course for a series-clinching victory on the final day, weather permitting.
The Sony LIV highlights of Day 4 capture the early breakthroughs that wrapped up the first innings, the resilience shown by Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis, and the late surge that put India back in the driver’s seat before rain intervened.
Indian Bowlers Seize Momentum as Sri Lanka Forced to Follow On in Colombo Test
Wrapping Up the First Innings
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 265 for 8, still trailing by 238 runs. Sonal Dinusha, unbeaten on 85 overnight, completed his second century of the series, reaching 103. Debutant spinner Saransh Jain then claimed the final two wickets, dismissing Lahiru Kumara and Dinusha to bowl Sri Lanka out for 290. The 213-run first-innings lead allowed captain Shubman Gill to enforce the follow-on.
Prasidh Krishna finished with 3 for 52 and Manav Suthar with 3 for 85 in the first innings, while Jain’s two wickets marked a successful start to his Test career.
Sri Lanka Fight Back After Following On
Asked to bat again, Sri Lanka made a solid start despite an early loss. Mohammed Siraj removed Lahiru Udara cheaply, and Ravindra Jadeja trapped Kamil Mishara leg-before. From there, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis produced a determined 115-run partnership that stabilised the innings and erased the deficit.
Sooriyabandara scored a fluent 92, while Mendis contributed a valuable 55. Their stand put Sri Lanka ahead and raised hopes of a substantial lead. India, however, fought back strongly in the final session. Prasidh Krishna broke the partnership by dismissing Mendis, with Shubman Gill completing a sharp running catch. Manav Suthar then removed captain Dhananjaya de Silva and later stumped Sooriyabandara after the batter advanced down the track. Saransh Jain added another breakthrough by trapping Niroshan Dickwella lbw.
Day 4 Score Snapshot
| Innings | Score | Key Performers | Result/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| India 1st | 503/9d | Padikkal 117, Jurel 115* | Declared |
| Sri Lanka 1st | 290 | Dinusha 103, Sooriyabandara 80 | All out |
| Sri Lanka 2nd (f/o) | 229/6 | Sooriyabandara 92, Mendis 55 | Lead by 16 runs |
Bowling (SL 1st innings): Prasidh Krishna 3/52, Manav Suthar 3/85, Saransh Jain 2/69
Bowling (SL 2nd innings): Manav Suthar 2/81, others shared the remaining wickets
Rain Interrupts India’s Charge
Just as India appeared set to make further inroads into the lower order, heavy rain arrived and forced an early close. Sonal Dinusha (7 not out) and Keshara Nuwantha (3 not out) remained at the crease. Sri Lanka’s lead stands at a slender 16 runs, leaving India needing four more wickets to wrap up the innings and set up a modest chase or force a result.
Looking Ahead to the Final Day
India remain in a commanding position heading into Day 5. With the second new ball available and the pitch offering increasing assistance to the spinners, the visitors will look to finish the job quickly. Rain remains a potential threat, and the forecast could play a decisive role.
For Sri Lanka, the lower order and the unbeaten pair must dig deep to extend the lead and give their bowlers something to defend. Sooriyabandara’s near-century and Mendis’s contribution showed the fight still present in the side, but consistency has been hard to maintain against a disciplined Indian attack.
The Sony LIV highlights package effectively captures the ebb and flow of Day 4 — the early wickets that enforced the follow-on, the middle-order resistance, India’s late fightback, and the weather interruption that left the match finely poised yet still favouring the visitors. India stand four wickets away from a series sweep, while Sri Lanka will need both resilience and favourable weather to force a draw on the final day in Colombo.
