The day did not begin well for cricket fans, as heavy rain delayed the start of play by more than four hours and reduced the number of overs scheduled for the day from 90 to just 46.
Sri Lanka did make the most of the variable conditions when play got underway, though, picking up three wickets in the after-lunch session to get themselves back into the game.
KL Rahul was the first to fall on 82, caught by Nishan Fernando after an uncertain prod at the new ball led to a pop-up off the bowling of Keshara Nuwantha.
He was followed by Devdutt Padikkal for a well-played 167, who was out caught behind by Prabath Jayasuriya and then Ravindra Jadeja, who went cheaply for just 13, who was caught LBW by Nuwantha to leave India 377/6.
However, a solid seventh partnership undid all of Sri Lanka’s early hard work as India moved to 432 before Dhruv Jurel was out caught by a one-handed screamer from Dhananjaya de Silva off the bowling of Jayasuriya.
Mohammed Siraj was the next to go for 13, also caught by De Silva this time off the bowling of Asitha Fernando, and Manav Suthar followed shortly afterwards for 24 with the score unchanged, caught by Lahiru Igalagamage off the bowling of Jayasuriya to leave India on 447/9.
While some were expecting a declaration by India to give their bowlers a shot at Sri Lanka’s openers in the failing light, the visitors decided to keep batting, with Kuldeep Yadav (12*) and Prasidh Krishna (1*) taking the score to 460/9 at the close of play with India well and truly in control of the match.
Sri Lanka will be hoping the rain and reduced overs have prevented the pitch from deteriorating as much as they would expect after two days of play, when they eventually get their chance to bat on day three.
India, on the other hand, will be looking for quick wickets because the lost time will bring the draw into play if Sri Lanka can build a decent score in their first innings.
