Starting the day at 253/3, India stretched their first-order total to 411, with Chauhan turning his overnight 55 into a magnificent 150 from 244. His innings, with four 20s and a six, came after a crucial partnership of 155 with fellow centurion Kushagra Ojha, who made 111.
The pair’s stand followed another century partnership from Day 1, when Ojha and skipper Yashobardhan Chauhan combined for 122 runs for the third wicket.
After Ojha’s departure, India lost wickets at regular intervals, producing six wickets for 134 runs. However, Manal remained steady, cultivating the strike and adding useful runs in the lower order before the ninth wicket fell. His effort gave India an early lead.
Then the bowlers took over the Sri Lankan innings. Pranav Raghavendra and C. Venkata picked up two wickets each, while Rohit Yadav unleashed the spoils, finishing with figures of 2/4. Sri Lanka struggled to build a partnership throughout, with only Dulnith Sigera resisting through a brisk 31 before being bowled by Rohit.
At stumps, Sri Lanka slumped to 122/8, leaving India in the driver’s seat as the visitors trailed in the first innings. The players will now look to close the remaining wickets quickly and strengthen their position on Day 3.
