India reached 292 for eight in their first innings when steady drizzle stopped the proceedings with 12.3 overs still left on day two of third Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

When rain stopped play, opener Cheteshwar Pujara, who battled through to his seventh test hundred, was batting in company of Ishant Sharma, who was not out on 2 as the Indian innings was in its 96th over (95.3 overs). Right-hand batsman Pujara, who was carrying the team on his back through the day, was 135 not out as they stopped playing due to rain.

Sri Lanka seamer Dhammika Prasad caused the biggest damage for India, taking four wickets for 65 runs.

Pujara, brought in to replace injured Murali Vijay, spent more than five and a half hours at the crease and scored his runs off 219 deliveries, including nine boundaries. But his partners have failed to stay with him to build big partnerships.

India started after lunch on 119-4 and Prasad, having dismissed Rohit Sharma in the last ball before the break, struck in his first ball of the session trapping Stuart Binny lbw for a golden duck.

After only 15 overs of play was possible on the first day, the second day’s play saw 80.3 overs being bowled by the home team.

The three-test series is tied 1-1.

(PTI)