Sri Lanka continued to frustrate India on the final day as Dinusha produced another fifty-plus score to strengthen the hosts' position in the ongoing India vs Sri Lanka contest. Dinusha reached his fourth fifty-plus score of the series, bringing up the milestone in 99 balls with two fours as Sri Lanka's lead moved beyond 100 runs.

The final day's equation had appeared straightforward for India at the start of play, with the visitors needing four wickets and hoping to chase a manageable target. Sri Lanka, however, made steady progress during the morning session and pushed their total beyond the 300-run mark.

Sri Lanka Cross 300

Sri Lanka reached 302/6, with Dinusha unbeaten on 39 and Nuwantha on 37 as the pair kept the innings moving. Earlier, Sri Lanka had been 257/6, with the same two batters holding the innings together.

Their partnership became increasingly important as India looked for the remaining wickets. The home side's ability to extend its lead changed the equation from India's expectation of an easy chase to a more competitive fourth-innings situation.

Dinusha Delivers Again

Dinusha's latest half-century added to an impressive run in the series. He reached the landmark in 99 deliveries and struck two boundaries during his innings.

With Sri Lanka already past 300, his contribution became particularly significant. The lower-order resistance has given Sri Lanka valuable additional runs and increased the pressure on India's bowlers on the final day.

India Made Early Inroads

India had made significant progress during the previous day's play, reducing Sri Lanka to six wickets down. Manav Suthar provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 23.

Suthar then struck again to remove Pasindu Sooriyabandara after an important innings of 92. Rishabh Pant completed the dismissal with a stumping, ending one of Sri Lanka's most valuable contributions of the innings.

Saransh Jain subsequently dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for six. The batter was trapped leg before wicket after India successfully reviewed the decision, with ball-tracking indicating that the delivery would have hit the leg stump.

Sooriyabandara's 92

Before his dismissal, Sooriyabandara had played a major role in Sri Lanka's recovery. He reached 90 by the tea interval on the previous day, with Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 14.

At tea, Sri Lanka were 199/3 after 56 overs, still 14 runs behind India. Kamindu Mendis had earlier scored 55 from 92 balls, including a six that brought up his half-century. Prasidh Krishna then dismissed Mendis, who was caught by Shubman Gill.

Rain Interrupted Play

Rain also interrupted proceedings on the previous day, adding another complication to the match. With the final day now underway, India needed four wickets to finish Sri Lanka's innings and establish the target for the chase.

Sri Lanka's lower-order resistance, however, has made the task considerably more demanding. The growing lead means India will need to assess both the target and the amount of time available once the innings ends.

The latest position, with Sri Lanka beyond 300 and Dinusha and Nuwantha continuing their partnership, leaves India still searching for the breakthrough that could bring the match into its final phase.