Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha forged a century-plus stand to propel Sri Lanka to 329-6 at lunch on the final day, keeping alive their chances of saving the second and final test against India on Thursday.

Made to follow on, Sri Lanka are 116 runs ahead with four wickets in hand. Dinusha’s 55 not out is his fourth consecutive 50-plus score in the series. Dinusha has raised 111 runs with Nuwantha for the unbroken seventh wicket. Nuwantha is on 46.

India lead the two-test series 1-0.

Sports Desk added: Sri Lanka, who started Wednesday at 265-8 in reply to India’s 503-9 declared, were folded for 290 and were forced to follow-on.

Sri Lanka lost both their openers early before Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) gave the hosts some hope with a 115-run stand for the third wicket.

Sooriyabandara, who had scored 80 in the first innings, once again played spin intelligently with clever footwork, while Mendis took on the fast bowlers in his 55.

Mohammed Siraj, however, removed him, with Shubman Gill running in from square leg to complete a fine catch.

Sooriyabandara missed out on a hundred when he charged Manav Suthar. Sooriyabandara hit ten fours and one six in his 173-ball stay.