Colombo, Aug 23 : Ajinkya Rahane struck his fourth Test century of his career as India set a huge 413-run target for Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the second Test in Colombo.
The tourists declared their second innings on 325 for eight after Rahane and Murali Vijay accelerated the innings as the duo shared a solid 140-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rahane made 126, while Vijay made a classy 82 before he was trapped lbw by off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal.
Rohit Sharma chipped in with 34, while Stuart Binny and Ravichandran Ashwin contributing 17 and 19 respectively.
Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha wouldn’t take the field for the start of Sri Lanka’s reply as he suffered a hamstring injury shortly after coming out to bat. KL Rahul will be given the charge behind the stumps.
For Sri Lanka, off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal and fast bowler Dhammika Prasad claimed four wickets each.
Sri Lanka will play 26 overs before the close of play on day four.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series after claiming a remarkable 63-run victory in the first Test in Galle. (ANI)