India, Aug. 26 -- Indian bowlers failed to break through the Sri Lankan resistance spearheaded by Sonal Dinusha and Pasindu Sooriyabandara in the company of late order batters as the home side finished day three of the second Test on 265 for eight here on Tuesday.

Dinusha (85 batting) and Lahiru Kumara (8 batting) were at the crease when stumps were drawn early because of rain and bad light. Sri Lanka still need 38 runs to avoid the follow-on after India amassed 503 for nine in their first innings.

Once the hosts resumed from the tea score of 216 for seven, they were staring at an earlier end to the innings.

But Dinusha notched up his third 50-plus score in as many innings in this series to keep the Indians at bay across two sessions. ...