India's second innings ended at 303/9, setting Sri Lanka a massive target of 447. Key contributions from the middle order, specifically half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (67) and Rishabh Pant (50), ensured a competitive score. The momentum shifted quickly to the bowlers, who left the visitors reeling at 28/1 by the end of the day, with Jasprit Bumrah striking a wicket in the very first over by dismissing Lahiru Thirimanne for nothing.
India posted 303/9 in their second innings to set a mammoth target of 447 for Sri Lanka. Middle-order batters Rishabh Pant (50) and Shreyas Iyer (67) hit fine half-centuries and helped their side to reach a good total. India restricted the visitors to 28/1 at stumps as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne for a duck in the very first over.
Earlier in the match, the Sri Lankan batting lineup collapsed for 109, thanks to a joint effort from Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, who took two wickets apiece. This match also marked a milestone for Bumrah, as he secured his first five-wicket haul in a home Test. India entered their second innings with a 143-run advantage, and the duo of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma started confidently, putting up 42 runs before Embuldeniya got Agarwal out for 22.
Rohit Sharma (46) then teamed up with Hanuma Vihari for a 56-run partnership, stretching India's lead to 203. However, the captain was unable to turn his promising start into a big score, losing his wicket while trying to attack Dhananjaya de Silva. Shortly after, Vihari's innings ended at 35 when he was bowled by Praveen Jayawickrama.
Rishabh Pant stepped up and immediately put the Sri Lankan bowlers on the back foot with an explosive hitting spree. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli had a short stay, getting trapped lbw for 13 by a delivery that didn't bounce. Pant's brilliance peaked as he reached his fifty in just 28 balls, surpassing Kapil Dev's long-standing record of 30 balls for the fastest Test half-century.
Shreyas Iyer displayed great technique and footwork throughout his innings, though his run eventually ended when Embuldeniya trapped him lbw. Support came from Ravindra Jadeja with 22 runs, while Mohammed Shami finished not out on 16. As the game heads into Day 3, the Indian bowlers will be focused on cleaning up the wickets to seal the series victory.