Sehwag added a 50 to his double ton in the first innings

India seized the initiative against Sri Lanka, despite losing two late wickets on day three of the second Test.

The hosts had started the day on 215-5 but were all out for 292, with spinner Harbhajan Singh taking 6-102.

India had a 37-run advantage after the first innings and openers Virender Sehwag (50) and Gautum Gambhir (74) got them off to a promising start.

Rahul Dravid (44) and Sachin Tendulkar (31) built on the lead but fell in the last few overs to leave India on 200-4.

Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman were at the crease for India and yet to get off the mark before bad light brought a premature end to the day's play.

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They will look to extend their side's lead and heap as much pressure on Sri Lanka as they aim to level the series.

Harbhajan has played a big part in giving India the upper hand and he helped India polish off the Sri Lanka's first innings.

He and Anil Kumble, who dismissed key man Mahela Jayawadene, took the final five wickets before lunch.

Sehwag made an unbeaten 201 in India's first innings and carried on his sparkling form by making 50 before holing out Tillakaratne Dilshan in the covers off the bowling of Chaminda Vaas.

Anything above 350 is going to be a very good target as the pitch is going to deteriorate Gautam Gambhir

India looked firmly in control as stumps approached but their joy was tempered with the late loss of Dravid and Tendulkar, who each fell in the two final full overs.

Gambhir was upbeat about India's chances of squaring the series.

He said: "Sri Lanka have a quality spin attack but so far in this test we have done well and have set the game up for our bowlers.

"Anything above 350 is going to be a very good target as the pitch is going to deteriorate, especially with Harbhajan and Kumble in our armoury.

"It is going to be very difficult for them."