Colombo, Aug 22 : India have seized control on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka as they held a commanding 157-run lead at stumps on Saturday at Colombo.
The tourists secured an 87-run first innings lead after bundling out Sri Lanka for 306. Angelo Mathews (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (62) kept the Indian bowlers at bay as the duo scored a spirited 127-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
However, Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 65 runs as leg-spinner Amit Mishra turned out to be the tormentor-in-chief by claiming four crucial wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma shared four wickets themselves, while Stuart Binny claimed his maiden Test wicket by removing Mathews.
Subsequently, India extended their lead to 157 as they were 70-1 at the close of play. Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane will resume their innings on Sunday on their respective scores of 39 and 29.
The tourists lost first-innings centurion KL Rahul for just two runs early in the first over of their second innings.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series after claiming a remarkable 63-run victory in the first Test in Galle. (ANI)