Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja claimed an early wicket each on Day 4 of the 2nd Test in Colombo to leave Sri Lanka at 83 for two at lunch in the follow-on, still 130 runs short of making India bat again at the Sinhalese Sports Club. India had enforced the follow-on after dismissing Sri Lanka for 290 in the first innings, securing a commanding 213-run lead.

Dinusha's Hundred and India Wrap Up the First Innings

Sri Lanka had resumed the morning at 265 for eight, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 85. Dinusha duly completed his century — his second in the series after scores of 100 and 84 in Galle — reaching three figures by pulling Prasidh Krishna for four. His 103 off 162 balls was a composed, largely chanceless effort that frustrated India across two days.

Lahiru Kumara offered brief support with a patient 12 off 58 balls before falling to Saransh Jain, who had been denied his maiden Test wicket twice by the DRS earlier in the innings. Kumara attempted to drive Jain down the ground and edged a flighted delivery to cover, where Dhruv Jurel completed an excellent low catch. Jain then ended the innings by enticing Dinusha into a forward push, the fuller off-break turning away to take the outside edge, with KL Rahul holding at slip. India had dismissed Sri Lanka for 290 in just four overs after Dinusha's landmark.

Follow-On Enforced — Only the Second Time in 27 Tests

India opted to enforce the follow-on immediately — only the second time Sri Lanka have been asked to do so in their last 27 Tests. The move paid off quickly. Siraj, returning from a two-month break and by his own admission still searching for full rhythm, used the short ball effectively against Lahiru Udara. At 3 for 0, a delivery directed around shoulder height forced Udara into a pull that was pouched by Saransh Jain at fine leg.

Sri Lanka's opening woes against India deepened further. Their first-wicket stands in the last 14 Tests against India now average only 10.32, and the hosts have lost their opening wicket in single figures in three of the four innings in this series.

Mishara and Sooriyabandara Steady, Then Jadeja Strikes

Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooriyabandara initially settled the innings before taking a more aggressive approach against India's spinners. Mishara deployed the sweep and reverse-sweep effectively, while Sooriyabandara attacked Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain with drives and sweeps. The pair added 57 runs before Jadeja broke through.

Mishara, who had struck three fours and a six in a brisk 32 off 39 balls, attempted a sweep against a sharply turning delivery and was struck in front. The on-field lbw decision survived review on umpire's call, leaving Sri Lanka at 63 for two. Notably, there was a brief fitness scare for India when Siraj hurt his rib cage attempting a difficult catch at deep mid-wicket, but he returned to the field shortly after, easing concerns.

Session Summary and What Comes Next

From 63 for two, Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis negotiated India's spin attack with increasing caution through to the interval. Sooriyabandara was unbeaten on 35 off 52 balls, while Mendis remained on 10 off 26. Jadeja finished the session with one wicket from five overs; Jain bowled six overs for 24 without adding to his tally; Suthar conceded 36 from seven overs.

With Sri Lanka still 130 runs from clearing the deficit, India will look to dismantle the middle order in the afternoon session. The two early wickets before lunch have ensured the follow-on is already exerting considerable pressure on the hosts.

Brief Scores: India 503/9 in 138 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115 not out; Asitha Fernando 4-106, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-132) lead Sri Lanka 290 and 83/2 f/o in 22 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 35 not out, Kamil Mishara 32; Mohammed Siraj 1-7, Ravindra Jadeja 1-13) by 130 runs.