Sonal Dinusha struck a defiant century to save Sri Lanka from following on before rain halted play on the third day of the opening Test in Galle on Monday.
Sri Lanka reached 284 before India bowled them out. India had scored 462 in their first innings, giving them a 178-run lead.
Rain then stopped further play.
India will hope for better weather over the final two days. A result would give them a chance to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Dinusha Rescues Sri Lanka
Rain has disrupted all three days of the Test so far. The opening day lost 17 overs, while only 43 overs were possible on day two.
Monday’s play lasted 80.2 overs out of the scheduled 98.
The day belonged to 25-year-old Dinusha. He scored a gritty 100 in only his fourth Test.
Sri Lanka had fallen to 90-5 and faced the danger of following on. Dinusha then steadied the innings with a crucial partnership.
The left-hander handled India’s spin-heavy attack with confident footwork. He shared a 146-run sixth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.
Dickwella Misses Century
Dickwella made his return to Test cricket after more than three years. He justified his recall with an impressive 80.
The wicketkeeper regularly used the sweep shot against India’s spinners. He looked on course for his first Test century.
However, Prasidh Krishna dismissed him after he edged the fast bowler behind.
The innings marked Dickwella’s 23rd Test half-century in 55 matches.
Sri Lanka then avoided the follow-on when tail-ender Prabath Jayasuriya swept left-arm spinner Manav Suthar for four.
Dinusha soon completed his century. He reached three figures with a single to mid-wicket off Suthar.
His four-hour innings ended later when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket.
Dinusha faced 168 balls. He hit four fours and two sixes.
Suthar and Jadeja Lead India’s Attack
Suthar played only his second Test but showed good control throughout the innings.
The left-arm spinner finished with 4-76. Jadeja supported him with 3-57.
India added only two runs to their overnight score of 460-9.
Asitha Fernando dismissed India’s last batter, Prasidh Krishna, with the fourth ball of the morning.
Devdutt Padikkal led India’s scoring with 167. KL Rahul contributed 82, while Dhruv Jurel made 51.
Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler. He finished the innings with four wickets.
