Earlier, India lost opener Lokesh Rahul (2) and Ajinkya Rahane (8) during the opening hour's play.

With the series tied 1-1, India didn't get the start they wanted. Right-hander Rahul left a right-arm pacer Dhammika Prasad delivery only to see it dart in and rattle his off stump in the second ball of the day.

The next to go was Rahane, who was plumb in front of the wicket against right-arm medium pacer Nuwan Pradeep. The ball was pitched up and Rahane played it across to miss the line completely.

Skipper Kohli was given got a life when he pushed an away going delivery from Pradeep only succeeding to edge it to the keeper Kusal Perera who dropped the chance. Kohli was batting on 4 then.

Later, Kolhi and Pujara, who was getting his first chance to play in the series, batted cautiously to ward off the danger posed by the Sri Lankan bowlers till rain poured down heavily and forced the umpires to call an early lunch.

India handed a Test debut to Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, while glovesman Kusal Perera also made his first appearance for Sri Lanka.