Sri Lanka fight back on rain-curtailed Day 4 after India enforce foll…

India ended the day with the upper hand despite Sri Lanka's fightback on Day 4 of the second Test between the two countries.

India asserted dominance late on Day 4 of the second Test in Colombo after enforcing the follow-on, taking six wickets before rain brought an early end to play on Wednesday. At stumps, Sri Lanka stood at 229 for six in their second innings, holding a slim lead of 16 runs with Sonal Dinusha (7) and Keshara Nuwantha (3) unbeaten at the crease.

India wrapped up Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 290 earlier in the morning and immediately asked the hosts to bat again by enforcing the follow-on. Although Sri Lanka suffered early blows with the dismissals of openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara once again led the fight back with a fluent 92. hiddenlangkawi.club

Sooriyabandara built a crucial 115-run stand for the third wicket alongside Kamindu Mendis (55), taking Sri Lanka to 199 for three at tea and bringing the deficit down to just 14 runs. However, the dismissal of Mendis proved to be the turning point when he attempted to score quick runs and was caught near square leg by Indian captain Shubman Gill.

Late breakthroughs for India set up deciding final day

Following the breakthrough, Indian bowlers gained momentum in the final session, taking two additional wickets to stop Sri Lanka's momentum before heavy rainfall forced the match officials to call off the day's play early.

Earlier in the match, India had compiled a massive total of 503 for nine declared after opting to bat first. Devdutt Padikkal anchored the innings with 117, supported by Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115, a quickfire 63 from Rishabh Pant, and a half-century from skipper Gill. Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 4 for 106.

With Sri Lanka holding a fragile 16-run advantage and the second new ball less than eight overs away, India require four more wickets on the final day to set up a victory chase.

Brief Scores:

India 503/9 d (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115; Asitha Fernando 4/106) vs Sri Lanka 290 & 229/6 (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55; Manav Suthar 2/81).

The Pakistan-based Transgroup has been awarded the Afghanistan vs India T20I series Media Rights by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

The company is also associated with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

When Afghanistan announced the schedule on August 12, the ACB revealed the commercial and broadcast partners in its statement.

“Vany continues as ACB’s long-term Clothing Partner; TG (TransGroup) will serve as ACB’s Global Media Rights Syndication Partner, TPT360 as the Media Production Partner, and FanCode as the Official Streaming Partner for the series in the Indian territory.”

Meanwhile, viewers in India will have two platforms (FanCode and Sony Sports Network) for traditional television coverage.

ITW Universe holds the overall media rights for the series and brokered the television package independently from FanCode.

The upcoming series has added importance for Afghanistan will be the first bilateral event between the two countries hosted by the ACB, although the matches will be played in India.

Afghanistan has been using overseas venues for its home fixtures, with India and UAE serving as regular bases in recent years due to the lack of international cricket in the country.

The T20I series will begin on September 13, while the second and third games will be played at 15 and 17. The series will add another chapter to the developing cricketing relationship between the two sides, who have faced each other regularly across formats.

Recently, Afghanistan toured India in June 2026 for a multi-format assignment which featured a one-off test, followed by the three-match ODI series.

The Men in Blue secured a 3-0 win in the series played across Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.

The two teams last met in a bilateral T20I series in January 2024, when India completed a 3-0 clean sweep. The series featured a dramatic third T20I in Bengaluru, where both teams scored 212 before India won the match in the second super over.

ENG vs PAK 2026 2nd Test: Pakistan will look to continue their unbeaten record at Lord’s as they aim to draw level with England when the second Test of the three-match series begins on Thursday. Joe Root’s England are already up 1-0 in the series after their massive innings and 103-run win in the first Test at Headingley in Leeds last week.

The visitors are, however, expected to receive a big boost with their captain Babar Azam set to return to the playing 11, although he is only ’90 per cent fit’. “Yes I have batted a couple of times in the nets and I am comfortable and 90 percent okay,” Babar Azam said in the pre-match media conference at Lord’s on Wednesday.

“We as a team have this ability to make a statement when we are written off and I think you will see a different side at Lords which historically has been a good ground for us,” Babar said.

Pakistan have managed to win the last two Tests against England at Lord’s in 2016 and 2018. England, on the other hand, have managed to win each of their last four Tests at Lord’s dating back to 2024 game against West Indies. Their last loss at the venue came against Australia in the 2023 Ashes series.

Babar Azam has asked his players to take more responsibility in the series after the loss by an innings in the first Test. “These are our best players and we have to back them to give them confidence but even I believe that if someone doesn’t perform despite chances then one must think about changes,” he added.

Pakistan have provided an update on the fitness of skipper Babar Azam ahead of the second #WTC27 fixture against England https://t.co/9bEAW3kRPH

— ICC (@ICC) August 26, 2026

Here are all the details about England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match…

When is England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match going to take place?

The England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match will start on Thursday, August 27.

Where is England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match going to take place?

The England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match will be held at Lord’s, London.

What time will England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match start?

The England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match Day 1 will begin at 330pm IST. The toss for the match will be held at 3pm.

Where can I watch England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match on TV in India?

The England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match will be available LIVE on TV on Sony Sports network channels in India.

How can I watch England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match in India?

The England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match will be available for live streaming on SonyLiv website and app in India.

England vs Pakistan 2026 2nd Test match Predicted 11

England: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Ubaid Shah/Khurram Shahzad, Ali Usman, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali

TKR vs SLK Dream11 Prediction: Nicholas Pooran-led Trinbago Knight Riders will square off against Roston Chase-led Saint Lucia Kings in the 17th match of the CPL 2026 at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad.

TKR vs SLK Squad

Trinbago Knight Riders

Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Nicholas Pooran(w/c), Kieron Pollard, Jyd Goolie, Matthew Breetzke, Terrance Hinds, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Usman Tariq, Nathan Edward, Justin Greaves, Dominic Drakes, Amshi de Silva, Joshua Da Silva, Matthew Tromp, Ajay Kumar, Dexter Sween, Abdul Raheem Toppin

Saint Lucia Kings

Tim Seifert(w), Kamil Pooran, John Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Roston Chase(c), Obus Pienaar, Amari Goodridge, Matthew Forde, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Joshua Bishop, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Andries Gous, Noor Ahmad, Ackeem Auguste, McKenny Clarke, Jewel Andrew, Khari Campbell, Keon Gaston, Darron Nedd, Damion Joachim

Trinbago Knight Riders Unavailable Players

• Injury: NIL
• Others: NIL

Saint Lucia Kings Unavailable Players

• Injury: NIL
• Others: NIL

TKR vs SLK Probable Playing 11

Trinbago Knight Riders

Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Nicholas Pooran(w/c), Kieron Pollard, Jyd Goolie, Matthew Breetzke, Terrance Hinds, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Usman Tariq, Nathan Edward

Saint Lucia Kings

Kamil Pooran, John Campbell, Tim Seifert(w), Roston Chase(c), Johann Jeremiah, Amari Goodridge, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Obus Pienaar, Matthew Forde, Maheesh Theekshana, Joshua Bishop

TKR vs SLK Pitch Report

The surface at Trinidad generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can expect some zip with the new ball under the lights, while spinners will find grip and turn during the middle overs.

TKR vs SLK Dream11 Prediction

• Batters: A Auguste, K Pooran
• All-rounders: R Chase, M Forde, S Narine, K Pollard
• Bowlers: U Tariq, M Theekshana, S van Schalkwyk
• Wicketkeeper: N Pooran, T Seifert
• Captain: R Chase
• Vice-Captain: N Pooran

[popcorn number="Zero" desc="No. of times Sri Lanka have won a Test match after being asked to follow on across 27 occasions; they have lost 24 times while three matches ended in a draw" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="5.75" desc="SL’s average opening score across eight innings in 2026" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="10" desc="No. of no balls bowled by India’s spinners against SL in this match — the third-most by any Test team since 2021" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="8" desc="Sonal Dinusha becomes the eighth player ever to score two centuries in his first two Tests against India" class="Default"]

India will be the first to admit that they lucked it out at the SSC ground on Wednesday after weathering a tempestuous storm whipped up by Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis on the penultimate day of the second Test.

Trailing by 213 and being asked to follow on by Shubman Gill after being bowled out for 290, the hosts came out all guns blazing, embracing attack as the best form of defence. That paid off handsomely; even though openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara perished with 63 on the board, Sooriyabandara, primarily, and Mendis set about the Indian bowling with gusto, rendering them toothless on a surface that played a lot truer than anticipated.

Ravindra Jadeja

At various stages during the bruising third-wicket stand of 115 (110m, 172b), India were chasing their tails. Negative lines and several men patrolling the boundary ropes proved no deterrent to Sooriyabandara, in only his second Test, as he used the sweep of all variety — conventional, paddle, slog and reverse — with devastating effect when he was not chipping down the track and driving through the straight field. But India stormed back after tea to reduce the hosts to 229 for six, a mere 16 ahead, and will eye a 2-0 sweep on the morrow if the rain stays away.

Mendis, whose batting has fallen off after he reached 1000 Test runs in only 13 innings, took his team finding his feet but once he got his eye in, he matched Sooriyabandara stroke for stroke. The result was a dazzling passage of play with Manav Suthar and debutant Saransh Jain at the receiving end, Ravindra Jadeja alone providing control.

Saransh Jain

India heaved a huge sigh when Mendis fell against the run of play, reprising his dismissal of the first innings with a pull against Prasidh Krishna superbly pouched by Gill running backwards from mid-wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva’s arrival at the crease strangely compelled Sooriyabandara to go into his shell and it was always on the cards that when one wicket fell, a couple would follow.

That’s what happened once de Silva was unfortunately caught at gully as he whipped the ball on to his pad, from where it lobbed to Devdutt Padikkal. When his captain was in the middle, Sooriyabandara (92) added just eight in 50 deliveries and the pressure told as he charged Suthar, who smartly threw the ball wide for Rishabh Pant to complete a stumping. Niroshan Dickwella’s dismissal meant Sri Lanka had lost three wickets in 34 deliveries, with India primed to move in for the kill.

Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis (left) celebrates his half-century with Pasindu Sooriyabandara in Colombo on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

Brief scores
India 503-9d vs SL 290 (S Dinusha 103, P Sooriyabandara 80, K Mendis 32; P Krishna 3-52, M Suthar 3-85, S Jain 2-69) & 229-6 (P Sooriyabandara 92, K Mendis 55, K Mishara 32; M Suthar 2-81)