Opener Shikhar Dhawan missed scoring his seventh Test century, but KL Rahul remained unbeaten when India concluded the fourth day of the first Test at 171/1 in Kolkata on Sunday.
Dhawan scored 94 runs off 116 balls with the help of two sixes and 11 boundaries. The southpaw batsman lost his wicket to Dasun Shanaka, who broke the 166-run partnership for the opening-wicket.
At helm, Rahul was at the crease with 73 runs (not out) while Cheteshwar Pujara (2) was still setting up his feet at the Eden Gardens.
India were leading the Lankans by 49 runs with nine wickets remaining in their second innings.
Earlier, the opening pair of Rahul and Dhawan gave India a confident start and the hosts reached 70 for no loss in at Tea after dismissing Sri Lanka for 294.
Speedster Mohammed Shami claimed four wickets to halt Sri Lanka’s lower-order resistance that drove the visitors to 263/8 at Lunch.
Batting at ninth position, Rangana Herath scored a remarkable knock of 67 runs, gracing his 105-ball knock with nine boundaries. The 39-year-old left-hander later lost his wicket to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also took four wickets in rain-marred conditions.
Umesh Yadav also contributed to the pace assault as he dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne (51) and Angelo Mathews (52) to join the party.
Starting the second innings, both the Indian openers were calm and patient in their approach.
The Islanders came close to getting a wicket was when Rahul (on 22) drove straight back to Lahiru Gamage in the 12th over but the paceman missed the caught and bowled chance.
The conditions in Kolkata were much better for batting on Saturday with the Sun shining brightly.