India tighten noose on Sri Lanka in 3rd Test

Pallekele : Fast bowler Mohammed Shami took two wickets as India marched towards an innings victory and a series whitewash over Sri Lanka on day three of the third Test on Monday.

The hosts were 82-4 at lunch while following-on, still trailing India by 270 runs. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal on 26 and Angelo Mathews on 17 were at the crease in Pallekele.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck the first blow of the morning session by sending back opener Dimuth Karunaratne for 16 after the left-handed batsman was caught at slip.

Shami soon swung into action to get nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara for one and Kusal Mendis, who scored 12, in successive overs.

Chandimal and Mathews then hung on until lunch for an unbeaten 43-run fifth-wicket stand to resist an inspired Indian bowling attack on a cloudy morning at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Sri Lanka's most experienced batting duo put all their defences in place as runs trickled in for the hosts, who started the day on 19-1, at just about two an over.

Earlier Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in response to India's 487 in the first innings as the world's top side took control of the Test on day two.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya's maiden Test century and four wickets by spinner Kuldeep Yadav have the visitors on track to claim their first-ever overseas whitewash in a three-Test series.