India, Aug. 27 -- Sri Lankan batters were defiant in phases but the Indian bowlers made a timely intervention to reduce the hosts to 229 for six in their second innings on day four of the second and final Test here on Wednesday.

Sonal Dinusha (7) and Keshara Nuwantha (3) were in the middle at stumps when the now customary evening rain and bad light stopped play. But India will be eager to end Lanka's last vestige of hope and wrap the match and series on day five.

Before Indian bowlers established their domination, the 115-run third-wicket alliance between Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) and Kamindu Mendis (55) was the primary source of Lankan fightback. Sooriyabandara and Mendis joined forces when Lanka were wobbling at 63 for two, but resi...