SL vs IND, 2nd Test: India's follow-on call could beat rain, leave time to win on Day 5

Brief Score, SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 4: Sri Lanka (290, 229 for 6 (f/o), lead India (503/9 d) by 16 runs at Stumps in Colombo.

India did most things right on Day 4 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, taking the last two Sri Lankan wickets early in the first innings before enforcing the follow-on. Shubman Gill was proactive with his captaincy for most of the day, and his bowlers responded well, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 229 for 6, with the hosts' lead stretching to just 16 runs before a heavy spell of rain brought an early end to play.

Despite rain being forecast for Thursday, August 27, in Colombo, India might just have enough time to secure a victory and complete a series sweep, which would be crucial to keeping their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final alive. Day 4 Highlights | Scorecard

At stumps, Sonal Dinusha, the centurion from the first innings, remained unbeaten on 7 as the Indian attack, led by Manav Suthar, came back strongly after being a tad defensive in the first two sessions.

Shubman Gill has not been shy of enforcing follow-ons in Test cricket. Since taking over as captain last year, the skipper has asked the opposition to bat again as many as three times, with the third instance coming in the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

India managed to bowl Sri Lanka out for 290, ensuring the hosts did not add more than 35 runs in the morning session. Despite Sonal Dinusha's hundred, India ensured Sri Lanka did not go past the 303-run mark required to avoid the follow-on.

Gill did not hesitate. As soon as Saransh Jain took the last wicket, that of Sonal Dinusha, the skipper and his team were already discussing with the umpires the new ball they would need to have another crack at the Sri Lankan batters.

At the tea break, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara said he was unsure whether India had made the right call. Pujara's doubts appeared justified as Sri Lanka went to tea at 199 for 3 while following on, with Pasindu Sooryabandara leading a strong resistance. The Indian bowlers also looked a little exhausted, having bowled 89.4 overs in the first innings and immediately followed that up with 56 overs in the first two sessions of Day 4.

However, India bounced back with three crucial wickets in the final session, thwarting Sri Lanka's momentum and putting themselves in the driver's seat. They did so despite losing close to 15 overs of play during the day, with rain arriving towards the closing stages of the final session.

GOOD START, DEFENSIVE APPROACH, GOOD FINISH

India needed only two wickets to wrap up Sri Lanka's first innings. Sonal Dinusha completed his second century of the series, reaching 103, but Saransh Jain eventually removed him and Lahiru Kumara to bowl Sri Lanka out for 290. That gave India a 213-run first-innings lead, comfortably enough to enforce the follow-on.

Gill immediately opted to send Sri Lanka back in. Mohammed Siraj then gave India the perfect start, getting Lahiru Udara for 3. He produced a sharp bouncer, which Udara top-edged while attempting a pull.

But Sri Lanka responded well. Kamil Mishara attacked the spinners, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara took the game to India rather than allowing the slow bowlers to settle. By lunch, Sri Lanka had recovered from 5/1 and were beginning to build a meaningful second-innings resistance.

Post lunch, India went on the backfoot. At one point in the second session, Mohammed Siraj bowled with the wicketkeeper up to the stumps, a move that the pundits criticised at the end of the day.

The second session proved to be India's most difficult phase of the day.

Mishara continued to attack before Ravindra Jadeja removed him, but Sooriyabandara remained aggressive and refused to let the Indian spinners dictate terms. He brought up his second fifty of the Test and, with Kamindu Mendis, built the most important partnership of the innings.

The pair put on 115 for the third wicket. Mendis, who had struggled for runs in Tests recently, also reached his half-century before miscued a pull and was caught by Gill.

That partnership took Sri Lanka through the follow-on deficit and eventually gave them a lead. India had bowled 89.4 overs in the first innings and then another 56 overs across the first two sessions, which helps explain why the attack looked less penetrative during this stretch.

Sooriyabandara was particularly impressive against the spinners. He kept rotating the strike and used the sweep and reverse sweep to prevent Suthar and Jadeja from settling into a rhythm.

WHEN SUTHAR TURNED IT AROUND

India needed something to change, and Manav Suthar provided it.

The left-arm spinner first removed Sooriyabandara for 92, having spotted the batter charging down the pitch. Suthar bowled the ball wide of his reach, and Rishabh Pant completed a sharp stumping. It was the breakthrough India badly needed.

Kamindu Mendis had earlier made 55, but Sri Lanka's resistance began to unravel after his dismissal. Saransh Jain returned to the attack and removed Niroshan Dickwella, who was given out lbw for 6 after an arm-ball from around the wicket. The review showed three reds.

Suthar then struck again, getting Keshara Nuwantha for 3 when the batter charged down the track and hit the ball towards mid-off. Saransh Jain took the catch.

That left Sri Lanka 229/6, only 16 runs ahead, when rain forced an early close. India had wrestled back control by stumps, but the weather ensured the finish would have to wait.