Dinusha defiant as Sri Lanka lead by 170 in India Test / Photo: Ishara S. KODIKARA - AFP
Dinusha defiant as Sri Lanka lead by 170 in India Test
Sonal Dinusha hit an unbeaten 98 to keep up Sri Lanka's defiance on day five of the second Test against India on Thursday as the hosts reached 383-8 at tea.
Sri Lanka, who resumed on 229-6, extended their lead to 170 runs after being made to follow on in Colombo.
India had looked favourites to win the Test and series, but overnight batters Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha (46) put on 112 runs for the seventh wicket.
A draw will still give India the two-match series 1-0.
Following a wicketless first session, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar broke the stand in the first over after lunch with Nuwantha caught at second slip.
Veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja then had Prabath Jayasuriya out for two.
But Dinusha, who made 103 in the first innings, kept up the fight with fellow left-hander Lahiru Kumara, batting on two off 56 balls, for company at the break.
It was the first time Sri Lanka had crossed the 300-run mark in the series.
India, who posted 503-9 declared in their first innings, enforced the follow-on after they bowled out Sri Lanka out for 290.
The hosts were in trouble at 218-6 in their second innings before Dinusha and Nuwantha got down to the grind.
J.Soderberg--StDgbl
