India won the second Test match, in Bengaluru, to sweep the series 2-0. Once again they beat Sri Lanka inside three days, this time despite a defiant innings from visiting captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
Sri Lanka began the third day staring almost certain defeat in the face. Chasing 467, they resumed their second innings on 28/1, with Dimuth Karunaratne unbeaten on 10 and Kusal Mendis on 16.
The pair did have the satisfaction of surviving the first hour intact, as they looked to build some confidence. They added 69 to the overnight score, before the Indian spinners induced a mini-batting collapse. Then R. Ashwin had Mendis stumped for 54. Mendis had faced 60 balls and struck eight fours.
Ashwin's partner in crime Ravindra Jadeja struck next over, bowling Angelo Mathews for just a run. Then Ashwin had Dhananjaya de Silva caught by Hanuma Vihari, and Sri Lanka had lost three wickets for eight runs.
India’s progress to victory was temporarily halted when Niroshan Dickwella joined Karunaratne. They put on 55 for the fifth wicket before Dickwella was stumped off Axar Patel for 12.
Karunaratne continued to defy India. He added 20 more with Charith Asalanka before the latter was caught by Rohit Sharma off Axar Patel for 5. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan captain reached his 14th Test century, a personal highlight in what was otherwise an ordinary series for his team.
His demise, however, brought a swift end to proceedings. He was leg before to Jasprit Bumrah for 107, having struck 15 fours.
In the next over, Lasith Embuldeniya was leg before to Ashwin for two. Then Bumrah struck, again bowling Suranga Lakmal, in his last Test innings, for a single.
It was left to Ashwin to bring the curtain down, when he had Vishwa Fernando caught by Mohammed Shami. Sri Lanka were all out for 208.
India 252 (Shreyas Iyer 92; Praveen Jayawickrama 3-81) and 303/9 decl. (Shreyas Iyer 67; Praveen Jayawickrama 4-78) beat Sri Lanka 109 (Angelo Mathews 43; Jasprit Bumrah 5-24) and 208 (Dimuth Karunaratne 107; R. Ashwin 4-55) by 238 runs. Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer.
India win the series 2-0. Player of the Series: Rishabh Pant.