Karunaratne fights but India clinch innings victory

For 95.3 overs, Sri Lanka fought like their lives depended on it.

The ball spat, zooted, and played all kinds of tricks, taking part of the pitch with it every time and promising that things will only get harder. But Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis yesterday and Dimuth Karunaratne on Day 4 held on. There were innumerable unplayable deliveries, but nothing broke the back of Sri Lanka's batting. That was until Ravindra Jadeja got Karunaratne, who had batted 337 minutes and 307 balls for 141 runs, out with a snorter. Sri Lanka's chances and hopes dissipated as quickly as their wickets fell from there on. Their marathon second innings eventually ended on 386, succumbing to an innings defeat and giving India a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Ravindra Jadeja was India's star with the ball, taking five for 152, but he had to endure a long toil, bowling 39 overs for it. Hardik Pandya was a surprise package with two wickets, including the key wicket of Kusal Mendis on Day 3. For Sri Lanka, the knocks from Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis will come as a massive boost. The pair proved that with some application and luck, the hosts can put the Indians under pressure. They will hope that they can carry on from here and compete against India in the third Test in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka, with their performance on Day 3, dared