India remained in control of their second Test against Sri Lanka on day four, though Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis added some pressure with their fifties.

Trailing by 238 runs at the start of Wednesday's action after India declared at 503-9, Sri Lanka now lead by 16 after pushing to 229-6 in their second innings, but play was drawn to an early stop by rain.

Lahiru Kumara had held his own in a 50-ball vigil, but after returning to the crease with just eight runs to his name, he only added a further four before he was caught.

Sonal Dinusha battled alongside him before Saransh Jain (2-69) got his second wicket of the day to skittle Sri Lanka out for 290.

However, the hosts immediately followed on, only to be dealt another early blow as Lahiru Udara (3) was dismissed in the fourth over.

Kamil Mishara added 32 before being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja, but Sooriyabandara (92) and Kamindu (55) steadied the ship somewhat, with the pair combining for a 115-run third-wicket partnership.

Sri Lanka could not continue their second-session dominance, though, with Manav Suthar (2-81) stopping the momentum of Sooriyabandara and Dhananjaya de Silva (23).

Dinusha (7) and Keshara Nuwanta (3) were at the crease when play was halted, and they are tasked with adding to Sri Lanka's total when the match resumes on day five.

Rain brings an early end to Day 4!

Sri Lanka 229/6 in the 2nd innings, lead by 16 runs.

Scorecard https://t.co/r9FgXSdsMf#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/zpYEUDEU2Z

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 26, 2026

Sooriyabandara gives Sri Lanka slim hope of upset

India may feel slightly on edge; having given Sri Lanka a mammoth target that has now been wiped out, and the tourists look set to sweep the series.

However, with even more rain scheduled to interrupt play on Thursday, there is now also the possibility of an unlikely draw, if Sri Lanka can hold out for long enough.

Things had been looking a lot better for Sri Lanka with Sooriyabandara at the crease after he put together two strong partnerships – also putting on 58 with Mishara – and getting the hosts to 209-3.

Despite a bit of a middle-order collapse, hope is not lost for Sri Lanka.

Dinusha has already plundered two centuries in this Test series, having also got 100 in the first innings of the first Test, and the pressure once again lies on his shoulders to dig Sri Lanka out of trouble.