India had scored 462 in their first innings before bowling Sri Lanka out for 284 on Monday to take a 178-run lead. The visitors then returned to bat with an attacking approach as they looked to set up a big target.
Rahul, Padikkal steady India
India suffered an early blow when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Asitha Fernando with the third ball of the first over.
KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then handled the early movement well and added 64 runs for the second wicket. Rahul made 35, while Padikkal scored 44.
India reached 116 for four at lunch.
Pant keeps Sri Lanka under pressure
Rishabh Pant then attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers and scored a quick 66 off 69 balls, hitting two sixes.
Pant’s innings also saw him become the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket and the fastest player in the world to reach the landmark.
Jayasuriya strikes twice
Rahul was the second wicket to fall before Shubman Gill was dismissed cheaply for eight.
Prabath Jayasuriya was the main wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, claiming both wickets and finishing with figures of 3/43. India were eventually bowled out for 193, leaving Sri Lanka with 372 runs to win the Test.