India regained control on Day 4 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo after Prasidh Krishna dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 55, ending a crucial 115-run partnership with Pasindu Sooriyabandara. Shubman Gill completed an excellent catch to send Mendis back, giving India a much-needed breakthrough after Sri Lanka had mounted a strong fightback in their second innings.

Sri Lanka were following on after being bowled out for 290 in their first innings, conceding a 213-run lead to India. India had earlier declared on 503/9, powered by centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Sri Lanka's first-innings resistance came largely through Sonal Dinusha, who scored 103, while Sooriyabandara contributed 80.

Sri Lanka fight back after early blows

India had made an encouraging start to Sri Lanka's second innings. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Lahiru Udara early, while Ravindra Jadeja removed debutant Kamil Mishara as Sri Lanka slipped to 83/2 at lunch.

The situation changed significantly after the break. Sooriyabandara and Mendis settled in and began taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. Their partnership crossed 50 and then 100 as Sri Lanka steadily reduced India's first-innings advantage.

Mendis brought up his half-century with a six off Prasidh Krishna, while Sooriyabandara also reached his fifty during the partnership.

Prasidh Krishna provides crucial breakthrough

With India's spinners struggling to create consistent pressure, Gill brought Krishna back into the attack. The move paid off when Mendis attempted to take on a short delivery but failed to clear the field.

Gill moved quickly to complete an outstanding catch, ending Mendis' innings at 55. Krishna's wicket also brought an end to the 115-run stand, which had temporarily shifted the momentum towards Sri Lanka.

India still hold sizeable advantage

Despite Sri Lanka's resistance, India remain firmly ahead in the Test. The hosts began their second innings 213 runs behind and were still trailing by less than 100 runs during the partnership.

India's first-innings bowling had already produced a strong collective performance. Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna claimed three wickets each, while debutant Saransh Jain picked up two wickets. Sri Lanka's first innings ended at 290, 14 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Sooriyabandara keeps Sri Lanka fighting

Sooriyabandara has been central to Sri Lanka's second-innings recovery. After scoring 80 in the first innings, he continued his resistance in the second innings alongside Mendis.

The pair absorbed India's initial pressure and attacked when opportunities appeared. At one stage, Sooriyabandara smashed Suthar for a six immediately after an edge had fallen short of a vacant first-slip position.

India will now look to break the remaining resistance quickly and wrap up the innings before Sri Lanka can build a challenging target.

India tightened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka after the hosts were bowled out for 290 in their first innings, leaving them 213 runs behind India's 503/9 declared. Sri Lanka have now been forced to follow on and are back at the crease for their second innings in Colombo.

India had declared their first innings at 503/9, powered by Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115 and Devdutt Padikkal's 117. Rishabh Pant also provided momentum with a quick 63 as India built a substantial first-innings lead. 

Sri Lanka Bowled Out for 290

Sri Lanka resumed Day 4 at 265/8 and managed to add only 25 runs before losing their remaining wickets. The hosts' lower order had delayed India's push on Day 3, with Sonal Dinusha providing the main resistance.

Dinusha completed his century on Wednesday after reaching 100 off 147 balls, but his effort could not prevent Sri Lanka from conceding a significant lead.

India's bowlers had maintained pressure throughout the innings. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar were among the leading wicket-takers, while the debutant Saransh Jain also claimed his maiden international wicket by dismissing Lahiru Kumara. 

India Enforce Follow-On

With Sri Lanka finishing 213 runs behind, India opted to enforce the follow-on, sending the hosts back in immediately for their second innings.

Sri Lanka's immediate priority is now to survive the second innings and make India bat again. India, meanwhile, will be looking for early wickets to put the match beyond Sri Lanka's reach.

The follow-on puts the hosts under considerable pressure because they must erase the 213-run deficit and then build a lead if they are to set India a target.

Dinusha's Resistance Goes in Vain

Sonal Dinusha was one of the few Sri Lankan batters to offer sustained resistance. He had remained unbeaten on 85 at the end of Day 3 after Sri Lanka reached 265/8, with the hosts still 238 runs behind India's total at that stage. 

His century briefly raised hopes of Sri Lanka avoiding the follow-on, but India's attack eventually wrapped up the innings.

India in Command

India's position is considerably stronger than it was at the end of Day 3. The visitors had already dominated the first two days after posting 503/9 declared and then reducing Sri Lanka to 8/2. 

The first Test of the series also went India's way, with the visitors winning in Galle by 165 runs. Sri Lanka entered the Colombo Test without key batters Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, adding to the challenge for the hosts. 

With Sri Lanka now batting again after following on, India have a clear opportunity to close out the second Test and strengthen their position in the series.

Latest match status: India 503/9 declared; Sri Lanka 290 all out; Sri Lanka 213 runs behind and following on.

Prasidh Krishna made an immediate impact with a fiery two-wicket burst in the powerplay as India got off to a strong start with the ball in the third ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. The tall pacer dismissed dangerous opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz with his very first delivery and followed it up by removing Rahmat Shah, helping reduce the visitors to 28/2 after seven overs.

With the series already in the bag following a 2-0 lead, India used the dead rubber to hand opportunities to fringe players, while Afghanistan fought to salvage pride in the final game.

Early Blows Rock Afghanistan

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that offered assistance to the pacers. However, the decision backfired quickly as Prasidh Krishna struck gold straight away. Gurbaz edged a fuller delivery to Rohit Sharma in the slips in the second over, giving India the perfect start.

Prasidh was not done yet. In the sixth over, he induced another outside edge from Rahmat Shah, with Rohit completing a sharp catch at slip for his second dismissal of the morning. The disciplined lines and lengths from Prasidh and fellow pacer Gurnoor Brar kept the Afghan batters under pressure, extracting bounce and movement on the tacky surface.

Solid Start by Indian Bowlers

At the end of the seventh over, Afghanistan were struggling at 28/2, with Ibrahim Zadran unbeaten on 11 and captain Shahidi yet to open his account. Gurnoor Brar, known for his pace and hard lengths, complemented Prasidh well, troubling the batters throughout the opening spell.

The MA Chidambaram pitch, which had offered mixed assistance during the recent IPL, appeared to favour bowlers early on, with both teams restricted in the powerplay.

Team Changes and Context

India made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in Prasidh Krishna, Harsh Dubey and Nitish Kumar Reddy while resting KL Rahul, who had been playing non-stop cricket. Shubman Gill, leading the side, had earlier expressed his desire to bat first but adapted well to the bowling conditions.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, made four changes, including recalls for Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, hoping to improve on their performances in the previous two losses.

Building Pressure in Chennai Heat

The conditions were hot and humid, typical for June in Chennai, testing the fitness of both sides. Indian bowlers maintained tight control, not allowing Afghanistan any room to accelerate. Local fans at the Chepauk cheered every Indian success, creating an electric atmosphere even in a dead rubber.

Rohit Sharma’s sharp fielding in the slips added to India’s dominance, showcasing the experience of senior players supporting the younger bowling attack.

What Lies Ahead

With the series already won, India will look to experiment further and complete a clean sweep. Afghanistan need to build partnerships around Ibrahim Zadran and their middle order to post a competitive total. The presence of spin options like Washington Sundar and Harsh Dubey could come into play as the pitch potentially slows down later.

Prasidh Krishna’s early heroics have set the tone for India on a day when they aim to end the limited-overs leg of the tour on a high before shifting focus to other formats.

The match remains evenly poised in terms of overs left, but India clearly hold the upper hand after a clinical powerplay.

Afghanistan struggle at 128/6, still trail India by 436 runs in New Chandigarh

Morning proceedings on Day 3 of the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium followed a familiar pattern, as Prasidh Krishna removed Azmatullah Omarzai for a 10-ball duck to extend Afghanistan's misery.

The visitors resumed their first innings at 113/5, still needing 252 runs just to avoid the follow-on. That target now looks distant.

Early Breakthrough Sets Tone

Krishna needed only four deliveries into the third day's play to make an impact. Omarzai, who had looked tentative overnight, failed to open his account before edging one to the slips. The seamer's maiden over to start the morning put Afghanistan immediately on the back foot.

According to initial reports from the venue, the dressing room气氛 grew tense as the follow-on danger inched closer.

Debutant Suthar's Memorable Outing

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, making his Test debut for India, delivered figures that his family back in Sri Ganganagar would have regretted missing. His parents reportedly travelled back home before witnessing his three-wicket haul on Day 2 due to superstition.

Suthar removed Abdul Malik on the fourth ball of his very first over, then sent back Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Afsar Zazai to finish with 3 for 21. The young spinner has looked increasingly comfortable on a surface offering gradual turn.

Rahmat Shah Breaks New Ground

Amid the collapse, Rahmat Shah quietly authored a piece of history. The experienced batter reached his half-century in 100 deliveries, becoming the first Afghanistan batsman to score a Test fifty against India.

Sources within the Afghan camp indicated that Shah's knock has brought some stability after top-order failures. He remains unbeaten on 53 off 112 balls at the lunch interval, having watched partners fall around him.

India's Batting Domination Sets Up Contest

The context of Afghanistan's struggles traces back to India's massive first innings declaration at 564/8. Captain Shubman Gill led with 126, while KL Rahul converted his start into a hundred. Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan contributed identical 81-run knocks.

This represents India's highest Test total against Afghanistan. Teenage pacer Mohammad Saleem Safi claimed 6 wickets on debut, a silver lining for the visitors.

For Afghanistan to avoid an innings defeat, Shah must find support from the lower order. The pitch remains true, but the pressure of history is telling.

What Follows Next

The next session could decide the match. Afghanistan trail by 436 runs with four wickets standing. Another wicket before lunch would likely trigger thoughts of the follow-on.

Local authorities confirmed arrangements remain in place for a full five days, though few expect this contest to stretch that far.