Colombo: India pacer Ishant Sharma claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, but Sri Lankan bowlers struck back to leave the visitors struggling in their second innings as rain forced early stumps on Day 3 of the third cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) here on Sunday.

Ishant returned figures of 5/54, as the hosts were bundled out for 201, in reply to India's first innings total of 312. Stuart Binny (2-24), Amit Mishra (2-25) and Umesh Yadav (1-64) also bowled superbly.

In India's second innings, Rohit Sharma (14 not out) and skipper Virat Kohli (1 not out) remained unbeaten at stumps as the visitors struggled to post a meagre 21/3. The visitors had a vital 132-run second innings lead at the end of the day's play.

Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma (2R) celebrates with teammates after he dismissed Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne during the third day of their third and final Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo on August 30, 2015. Pic/ AFP.

With the SSC pitch offering appreciable lateral movement, Indian pacers struck early blows to reduce the hosts to 47/5 at lunch