Chasing a tricky target of 176 to win the first test against Sri Lanka, India was 23-1 in its second innings at stumps Friday, needing another 153 runs with two days left after Dinesh Chandimal hit a career best 162 not out for the hosts.
India lost opener Lokesh Rahul for five and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was sent in ahead of Rohit Sharma with three overs remaining.
Earlier, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finished with match figures of 10-160 for India while Ajinkya Rahane, who was outstanding in the slips, took eight catches in the match — a test record for a non-wicketkeeper.
India had expected a much easier third day after reducing Sri Lanka to 5-3 at one stage. Sri Lanka avoided the innings defeat and ended on 367 all out, thanks largely to wicketkeeper Chandimal.
Chandimal, who had a survived a couple of close calls before lunch, attacked after the break and raced to his half-century in 48 balls. His century came off 100 deliveries.
Having lost both openers without scoring on day two, Sri Lanka resumed Friday on 5-2 and nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad fell to the first ball of the day.
Sri Lanka was more than 180 runs behind at that stage before skipper Angelo Mathews and key batsman Kumar Sangakkara steadied the innings, adding 87 for the fourth wicket. But both batsmen fell in successive overs with 20 minutes to go before lunch and, at 95-5, an early finish to the first of the three-match series looked likely.
Chandimal and vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne survived a tense 10-minute period as close calls went in their favour. Sri Lanka took lunch shakily placed on 108-5, but dominated the afternoon session to give the hosts some hope.
Sri Lanka scored 158 runs in 28 overs in that session to take a lead of 71 as Chandimal attacked the Indian bowlers, employing the reverse sweep to excellent effect. There had been a debate whether Chandimal deserved to be in Sri Lanka's Twenty20 squad and this outstanding knock dispelled any doubts.
India's two off spinners — Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh — were constantly attacked. The fearless Chandimal at one point even reverse swept Harbhajan for a six despite a fielder being placed at the deep mid-wicket boundary.
Against the leg spin of Amit Mishra, Chandimal used the conventional sweep as Sri Lanka scored at a rapid pace.
Chandimal added 125 for the sixth wicket with Thirimanne before another 82 runs for the seventh wicket with Jehan Mubarak, who hit a career best 49. The ninth-wicket stand between Chandimal and Tharindu Kaushal worth 41 runs also hurt India.
It was Chandimal's third test hundred. His 162 came off 169 deliveries with 19 fours and four sixes.
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