Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored 80 in only his second Test innings as Sri Lanka resisted India on the rain-affected third day of the second Test in Colombo on Aug. 25, 2026. The International Cricket Council said India remained in control after Sri Lanka’s young batters delayed the visitors’ push for the follow-on.

Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis added 87 runs before India removed Mendis, according to the ICC’s match report. The Times of India reported that Sooriyabandara made 80 from 133 balls with nine fours, while Sonal Dinusha reached an unbeaten 85 as Sri Lanka ended the day on 265 for eight. India had declared on 503 for nine.

The second innings therefore left Sri Lanka 238 runs behind at the close, with two wickets remaining. The weather limited the available playing time, making the late order’s resistance important to the state of the match. India still held the stronger position because of the large first-innings lead, but Sri Lanka’s partnership and Dinusha’s score gave the home side a route to delay the follow-on. The next day’s result will depend on whether Sri Lanka can add enough runs and whether India can take the remaining wickets quickly.