STUMPS - DAY 3

India 189-3 (46.3 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Mukund benefits as he looks to steal a quick single and the fielder at point has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses and gives away five overthrows. Infact, Mukund would have gone had the substitute fielder got the direct hit.

In the next over, Mukund steers Gunathilaka past point for a couple before he takes a single off the last ball of the over.

Perera beats Mukund with one that turns and bounce as the wicketkeeper appeals for stumping but the television umpire says the feet was back in the crease.

In the next over, Gunathilaka traps Mukund leg before wicket as he plays down the wrong line. The left-hander takes the review after consulting his captain Kohli.

The ball tracking shows that the impact was in line and the ball was going on to hits the stumps which means the decision stays.

Mukund walks back after a good innings of 81 as India are reduced to 189 for three in 46.3 overs at stumps on Day 3.

Captain Kohli finishes unbeaten on a fluent innings of 76 as India stretch their overall lead to 498 runs with two more days left in the match.

India 174-2 (42 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Lahiru comes back in place of Pradeep with 13 overs still remaining in the day. The singles keep coming regularly for the Indians who collect another five runs in the over.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera comes into the attack. Kohli drives the second ball through the covers as Herath dives to his left and half stops it but ends up injuring his finger and has to go back to the dressing room for treatment.

Kohli steers the off-spinner fine on the off-side for two more runs and picks up another couple off the next through point as the India captain takes his score to 62 and goes past his partner Mukund.

Mukund taps Lahiru to deep point for a single to bring up India's 150, in the 37th over. Kohli tucks the pacer through midwicket for another run and Mukund does the same off the next ball for two runs and then takes one.

Kohli opens the face of the bat and steers Lahiru fine on the off-side for a four to raise the 100-run stand for the third wicket, from just 120 balls.

Mukund drives Perera to long-off for one before Kohli paddles him fine on the leg side for two runs.

First real mistake from Kohli in this innings as he goes after a wide delivery from Lahiru and is beaten.

Mukund early into the flick against Perera as he gets a leading edge but it falls safely on the off-side between two fielders for a single.

The off-spinner then beats Kohli with one that goes straight through as the right-hander plays for the turn.

Mukund top edges a pull shot against Lahiru which goes for a four behind the wickets before he picks a leg bye.

Lahiru trying to drag Kohli wide of the off-stump but ends up bowling a couple of wides followed by two singles as nine runs come from the over.

India are 174 for two in 42 overs, for an overall lead of 483 runs with both Kohli and Mukund on 71 each.

India 136-2 (34 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Kohli gets an inside edge off Pradeep for two runs on the leg side and he turns the next ball in the same region for another couple to close in on his fifty.

Part-time off-spinner Danushka Gunathilaka comes into the attack. It turns out to be an easy over for the Indians as they pick up four easy singles.

Kohli turns Gunathilaka for two runs to complete his half-century, his first in eight innings, from 68 deliveries.

This is turning out to be too easy for the Indians as they cruise to 136 for two in 34 overs, for an overall lead of 445 runs.

Kohli has batted positively to stroke a fluent 52, while Mukund has looked quite solid on 55, with the duo adding 80 runs for the third wicket so far.

India 120-2 (30 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Pradeep comes into the attack in place of Lahiru. Kohli turns the first ball on the leg side for two runs before he plays another cracking cover drive for a four.

The next ball is pitched on the pads as Kohli clips it square for another four as the fielder at deep square leg fails to stop it as India cross the 100-run mark, in the 25th over.

A single to Kohli in the next over brings up the 50-run stand for the third wicket from just 51 balls.

Pradeep resorts to bowling wide of the off-stump to Kohli with a packed off-side field and make him chase them but the India captain is having not of it.

India have played Herath really well in this match, not allowing him anything as the scoreboard continues to tick along at a good rate.

With 18 overs left in the day, it remains to be seen how much India would like to score in the remaining period before stumps. They would also do well to keep the weather in mind and give their bowlers nearly two days to pick up Sri Lanka's 10 wickets in the second innings.

The field is well spread and India can only pick up ones and twos in the last few overs.

Mukund breaks the shackles as he lofts Herath wide of the fielder at long-on for a four to inch closer to his fifty.

He paddles the last ball fine on the leg side for another four to bring up his fifty, from 78 balls.

India have reached 120 for two in 30 overs, scoring at exactly four per over to stretch their lead to 425 runs, with Mukund on 51 and Kohli on 40.

India 94-2 (24 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Mukund trying to be busy, collecting singles regularly to keep the runs coming. Lahiru gifts him a full toss which he crashes through the covers for a four.

Three runs in the next over bowled by Herath as India reach 76 for two in 20 overs.

Kohli plays another beautiful front cover drive off the front foot as Lahiru does well on the ropes to keep it down to three as the India captain races to 20 from 21 balls.

Lahiru tries a short ball but Mukund does well to rolls his hands and keep it down as he pulls it behind square for a four and gets one from the next ball to take his score to 40.

Kohli plays another good cover drive for a couple to take the lead past the 400-run mark.

India 67-2 (18 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Play resumes in Galle after an hour and half rain interval. Captain Virat Kohli starts off in great style as he hits the last ball of Kumara's over, which was unfinished before the rain interval, for a boundary through the covers, for a boundary.

Abhinav Mukund drives Herath down to long-on for one before Kohli plays another delightful cover drive off a full delivery for a four.

The next ball is clipped off his pads to deep midwicket for two runs as Kohli looks to bat positively and lift the tempo.

India are 67 for two in 18 overs with an overall lead of 376 runs.

India 56-2 (16.5 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Some good news from Galle as the rain has gone away and the covers have come off.

The umpires have announced that the play will start in around 10 minutes.

India 56-2 (16.5 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

The umpires were scheduled to conduct an inspection at 1515 local time but the rain has arrived again which means the covers will go back again.

Stay tuned!

RAIN STOPS PLAY

India 56-2 (16.5 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Just as rain are threatening to disrupt the game, Sri Lanka strike with the key wicket of the in-form Pujara, who clips a full delivery but is caught at backward short leg off Lahiru for 15.

India are reduced to 56 for two in 16.5 overs with an overall lead of 365 runs. with Mukund unbeaten on 27

And as soon as the wicket falls, the rain arrives and it is a heavy downpour as the groundstaff struggle to get the covers in place.

India 53-1 (16 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Pujara, who hit a century in the first innings, looking in good touch yet again. He despatches a half-volley from Pradeep through the covers for a four.

The Indian batsmen have batted positively. Mukund comes down the track to Perera and whips him through midwicket for a four as India reach 42 for one in 10 overs, stretching their lead above the 350-run mark.

While the dark clouds keep gathering overhead at the Galle International stadium, Pujara and Mukund are doing well to stretch India's lead.

They are well placed on 53 for one in 16 overs, having stretched their lead to 362 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Mukund has got off to a good start, to score 24 from 49 balls, while Pujara is looking solid on 15 from 33 balls.

India 31-1 (8 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Mukund watchfully defends a good over from Pradeep for the first maiden of the innings.

Perera, from around the wicket, gets one to slant across new batsman Cheteshwar Pujara who plays down the wrong line, before he turns the next ball on the leg side for one.

Pradeep bowls a loose delivery as Mukund hits it square on the off-side for a four and then takes one on the leg side.

Pradeep beats Pujara with one that moves away enough to beat the right-hander outside the off-stump. However, the next ball is on the pads and Pujara clips it through the leg side for a four to get 10 from the over.

India 19-1 (4 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

India's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund are back out in the middle as the visitors will look to score some quick runs in the next two sessions.

Nuwan Pradeep, who claimed six wickets in the first innings, has a huge appeal for LBW turned down off the second ball. The left-hander plays back to a full delivery and is struck on the pads but the umpire turns down the appeal.

The fifth ball is short and a bit wide as Dhawan cuts it past point for a four to get off the mark.

Spin from the other end as off-spinner Dilruwan Perera bowls with the new ball. Abhinav Mukund gets a loose ball as he cracks it through the off-side to get off the mark with a boundary.

India's openers dealing starting off confidently as Dhawan plays another good drive through the covers for his second four.

Perera bowls another long hop as he swats it past point for his third four to continue his good form in the match.

However, against the run of play, Perera checks India's charge with the wicket of Dhawan, who is caught in the covers for 14.

SL 291-all out (78.3 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

India grab a huge 309-run first innings lead but it looks like they have decided against enforcing the follow-on.

Sri Lanka lasted just nine deliveries after the lunch interval as Jadeja claimed the final wicket to finish with three for 67.

Perera finished unbeaten on a cracking innings of 92 from 132 balls, which was majorly responsible for Sri Lanka getting to this total.

SL 291-9 (78.3 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

It will be interesting to see how Perera approaches his innings, with 10 needed for a century, while Sri Lanka have just one wicket in mind and would be keen to get as many as possible.

Pandya starts proceedings after the lunch break as the cloud cover start to gather over the stadium and the groundstaff also start taking their position.

Perera defends the first four balls before he attempts a suicidal single but Mukund misses the direct hit from the covers with Kumara struggling to make his crease and he also gets an overthrow in the process.

Jadeja from the other end and he finishes off the innings by taking the wicket of Kumara, bowling him for two.

SL 289-8 (77 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Sri Lanka are 289 for eight in 77 overs at the lunch break on Day 3, still needing another 111 runs to avoid the follow-on. With Asila Gunaratne ruled out of the Test with injury, India need just one more wicket to finish off the Sri Lankan innings.

India had another productive session, claiming three wickets for 135 runs in 33 overs.

Dilruwan Perera kept Sri Lanka afloat with an attacking innings of 90, having hit 10 fours and four sixes in his 126-ball knock.

His 62-run stand for the sixth wicket with Angelo Mathews, who made 83, was instrumental in Sri Lanka providing some resistance in the morning session.

Jadeja bowled a good spell in the morning for overall figures of two for 67 as he took the wickets of Mathews and Herath, while Pandya picked up the other wicket to fall in the session, that of Nuwan Pradeep.

SL 289-8 (77 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Perera slog sweeps Jadeja to deep midwicket for two runs before he defends the rest of the over. Kumara gets a lifeline off the last ball as he comes down a long way trying to steal a single before he is sent back but Pandya misses with the direct hit from point with the batsman out of his crease.

Sensibly, Kohli brings back Ashwin with Kumara on strike but the left-hander manages to see off the rest of the over.

Perera gets a thick outside edge which goes past the slip fielder for a four and then takes a single before Kumara plays out the rest of the over to end the morning session.

SL 282-8 (74 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Umesh comes back but Perera not holding back as he flashes a short ball from the pacer over the point region for a four.

Two balls later, he steers a short ball over the slips for another boundary to frustrate the Indians.

Three close-in fielders for Jadeja against Nuwan Pradeep, who comes close to getting the edge as he is beaten outside the off-stump.

Umesh getting some reverse as Perera is beaten on the flick but he takes a leg bye off the first ball. Pradeep is also beaten as he backs away and is struck on the pads before he gets an inside edge on the leg side for one.

Perera then swings a short ball from Umesh over midwicket for a four and keeps strike with a single from the last ball on the off-side.

Pradeep has a swing but mishits it down the ground as it falls safely between two fielders and the bowler Jadeja is not happy with the effort.

Debutant Hardik Pandya comes into the attack for the first time in Test cricket, to bowl the 72nd over. He nearly strikes with the second ball as Pradeep plays down the inside line and is lucky that the ball misses the edge and also the stumps.

Perera swings Jadeja over the leg side and it comfortably clears Ashwin at deep midwicket for a four. He repeats the shot off the last ball and this time it goes all the way over the ropes for a six to take Perera's score to 82.

Pradeep plays a nice uppish drive over the off-side against Pandya for three runs and Perera then takes a single.

Pandya bowls a full toss which Pradeep lofts over the fielder at short cover for a four before the bowler gets revenge.

Pradeep makes room before he plays all over a full delivery and is bowled for 10 to become Pandya's first victim in Test cricket.

With Asila Gunaratne ruled out of the match with injury India need just one wicket to bowl out Sri Lanka, while the hosts need another 120 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Lahiru Kumara edges the last ball of the over past the slips for a couple to get off the mark.

SL 241-7 (67 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Perera goes after Ashwin as he heaves him over midwicket for a six and then edges the next ball for a couple to complete his half-century from 94 balls.

A few deliveries later he smashes Ashwin back over his head for a four as he looks to hit a few boundaries and add as many runs as possible.

Rangana Herath looks to reverse sweep Jadeja but gets it off the gloves and is caught behind the wicketkeeper by Rahane to be dismissed for nine.

SL 229-6 (65 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Perera goes after Ashwin as he comes down the track and smashes him back over his head for a straight six. He plays a nice drive through the covers for a boundary to continue his attacking approach and take his score to 38.

Jadeja strikes again in his next over as he traps Perera leg before wicket. And the batsman immediately takes the DRS which shows that the ball would have bounced over the stumps.

India captain Kohli doesn't look impressed as the decision is turned and Perera gets another lifeline. That looked a surprise call from the ball tracker as the ball was full and impact was way below the knee roll but it still shows the ball would have gone over the stumps.

But no stopping Perera, who slog sweeps Jadeja over midwicket for a four to take his score into the 40s.

Sri Lanka are 229 for six in 65 overs, still needing another 171 runs to avoid the follow-on.

SL 205-6 (59 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Double change for India as Shami comes in to replace Umesh. The second ball is a wide half-volley which Mathews drives through the covers for a four as Sri Lanka continue their good start on the third morning.

A close call for Sri Lanka as Perera is sent halfway down the pitch after Mathews had driven Ashwin to mid-off but the former manages to make his crease back in time.

An aggressive Shami bowls a good bouncer to Perera, who does well to sway out of the way. The next ball is again short, outside the off-stump, and Perera nearly commits to defending it before letting it go at the last minute.

Sri Lanka have batted relatively trouble-free during the morning session so far. Ashwin drops one short and Mathews pulls it through square leg for a four before the two batsmen take a single each.

Spin from both ends now as Jadeja replaces Ashwin. And he immediately gets some turn, beating Perera as he looks to drive.

But the left-arm spinner strikes two balls later with the key wicket of Perera, who is caught at short cover after a good innings of 83.

Mathews was looking to play the inside out lofted shot but failed to get enough elevation and was caught by India captain Virat Kohli on the off-side.

SL 181-5 (52 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Perera looking to score at every possible opportunity as he looks to drive Umesh through the off-side but the fielder makes a good stop.

Mathews content to pick the singles as he drives Jadeja down to long-off for one.

Perera looks to cut Jadeja but the ball is not that short and he is beaten as he nearly gets an edge.

Mathews plays a nice straight drive to a full delivery from from Umesh past mid-off for a couple. The pacer then bowls a short ball as Mathews awkwardly fends it on the leg side for one.

Perera not holding back as he comes down the track and lofts Jadeja over the covers for a six.

Mathews flicks a full delivery on the stumps from Umesh through midwicket for three runs with Pujara a bit slow to get to the ball.

Perera plays another good drive through the covers for a couple before he fends the last ball on the leg side for one.

A change in the bowling, first on Day 3, as Ravichandran Ashwin comes into replace Jadeja. He immediately starts from round the wicket as Perera carefully plays out a maiden over.

SL 163-5 (46 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Pacer Umesh Yadav will start off with the ball for India on Day 3. Dilruwan Perera defends the first two deliveries before he slaps a short wide ball through the covers for a four to get SL off and running.

Ravindra Jadeja to bowl from the other end. Angelo Mathews, who resumed on 54, gets an edge for a single on the off-side.

Perera shows good intent as he comes down the track and lofts Jadeja down the ground past mid-on for a four.

Sri Lanka might look to bat positively atleast against the spinners and not let them continue and settle into a good rhythm.

SL 154-5 (44 ovs) vs India 600 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, on Friday.

Sri Lanka are battling for survival after being reduced to 154 for five at stumps on day two, still 446 behind and facing the unenviable task of saving the match with 10 batsmen following Asela Gunaratne's series-ending thumb injury.

India amassed 600 in their first innings and returned to blow away the top half of the Sri Lankan batting order to tighten their grip on the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Day 2, on Thursday.

Angelo Mathews, who relinquished the captaincy this month, was unbeaten on 54 at the close with Dilruwan Perera on six.

Earlier, India lost four wickets in the morning session but their tail wagged as they added 201 runs to their overnight score of 399-3 before being all out less than an hour before the tea break.

Ravichandran Ashwin smashed seven boundaries in his 47, Mohammed Shami clobbered three sixes in his run-a-ball 30 and all-rounder Hardik Pandya scored 50 off 49 balls on his test debut to help India reach the 600-mark.