Team India will be looking to win the rain-hit first Test against Sri Lanka, said Shikhar Dhawan said after he built a strong partnership with fellow opener KL Rahul to help the hosts fight back on day four.

Dhawan was eventually caught behind off paceman Dasun Shanaka for 94. Talking about India’s intention, he said, “Feeling good and bad both. Of course, it’s disappointing when you’re so close to the century and miss out. But we’ve made a game of this, so I’m happy. We’re going to be positive tomorrow and try to make a match of it. We’re going to go for it.”

The in-form Rahul registered his ninth score of 50-plus in the last 11 innings. He got strong support from Dhawan, who recorded his fourth Test fifty. Both of them smashed as many as 19 boundaries including two sixes from Dhawan, forcing Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal to toss up his bowling options.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s most experienced spinner Ranganae Herath also smashed his third Test fifty. He praised Indian paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar after mistiming and slicing to deep point. He said, “I wanted to play the shots and stay positive. The credit should go to fast bowlers of both teams. Compared to the first two days, today was much better to bat on and that’s why we were able to go on and take a lead. Compared to the first two days of the match, this is a much better wicket to bat on. We have got one more day to go and will see what happens.”