Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha hit an unbeaten 56 to extend India's first innings to 386-8 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday.
The tourists, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle by 63 runs, pressed their bid by building on their overnight score of 319-6 at the P. Sara Oval.
Saha followed his 60 in the first innings at Galle with another gutsy half-century that has so far included six boundaries.
Saha and Amit Mishra put on 46 for the eighth wicket to frustrate the hosts' bid to wrap up the innings quickly.
Mishra, essentially a leg-spinner, made 24 with three boundaries before he was caught behind off a rising delivery from fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera.
Saha led a charmed life at the crease with two lucky escapes off the bowling of seamer Dhammika Prasad before he had added to his overnight score of 19.
The first time, the bail failed to dislodge after the ball brushed the off-stump, and then he survived an appeal for a low catch by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal which replays showed may have hit the ground first.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who joined Saha after Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 79 off the last ball of the day, made two before he holed out at extra cover off Angelo Mathews. – AFP