Under largely clear skies, Sonal Dinusha shone bright.

The Sri Lankan batter’s century helped the host stretch its first innings even as India’s 462 remained beyond reach.

Sri Lanka scored 284, conceded a 178-run lead before dark clouds rolled in and concluded the third day of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium.

On Monday, Sri Lanka’s first innings was a tale of two parts.

The initial blend of quick runs and fast dismissals evident from 90 for five was followed by a period of stability as Dinusha (100, 168b, 4x4, 2x6) and Niroshan Dickwella (80, 115b, 7x4) shared a 146-run sixth-wicket partnership.

The duo batted through the second session to offer some cheer to the local fans thronging the grass-banks and the ramparts of the Dutch fort.

IND vs SL Test Day 2 | I go there and do what the team needs, says Jurel Dickwella swept against spin, Dinusha remained industrious and the two southpaws frustrated Shubman Gill’s men.

Manav Suthar, who was the pick among the bowlers, was attacked as Dinusha hoisted a six and Dickwella, as was largely the norm through his tenure, swept past the ropes.

Between lunch and tea, the two added 116 runs.

In the day’s last session, India began to find its way back as Prasidh Krishna grazed Dickwella’s bat and helped Rishabh Pant exult behind the stumps.

Keshara Nuwantha’s drive was deflected off Yashasvi Jaiswal at silly point, and the rebound was easily pouched by Gill at cover.

But Dinusha moved on with a reverse-swept four off Kuldeep Yadav and soon his maiden Test century was etched.

The tail wilted around him and he, too, fell to Ravindra Jadeja.

Niroshan Dickwella celebrates his half century on day three of the first test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Galle | Photo Earlier, under bright skies, resuming at the overnight 460 for nine, India added a mere two more and lasted just four deliveries as Prasidh edged Asitha Fernando.

The Sri Lankan batting response seemed fixated on hustling the runs at a fluent rate even if wickets tumbled.

Opener Nishan Fernando nibbled at a short delivery from Mohammed Siraj and found Devdutt Padikkal waiting in the slips.

Sri Lanka was yet to open its account and Lahiru Udara with Dinesh Chandimal, tried to seal the crack.

Udara played his shots, punching a four off Siraj.

However, when Suthar was pressed into service, Chandimal feathered his first delivery to an alert Pant.

Suthar, a classical left-arm spinner, found turn and bounce.

Meanwhile, the hosts motored on with Kamindu Mendis pulling a six off Prasidh.

The medley of runs and dismissals seemed to be on a repetitive loop as Udara slashed Suthar straight to backward-point.

Gill used Suthar and Kuldeep in tandem for a while.

The latter was driven well by host skipper Dhananjaya de Silva.

Kuldeep got a wicket too, thanks largely to a piece of fielding brilliance by Gill.

Mendis chipped up a drive, and as the ball dipped, Gill dived and plucked an outstanding left-handed catch.

Perhaps the ambidextrous catching drills ahead of this match, helped.

Dhananjaya edged Jadeja, and the next man, Dickwella, struck two fours, and at lunch, Sri Lanka mustered 99 for five.

As the day progressed the host found a toehold even as it unravelled in the final stretch.