India need seven wickets to clinch series

India's Stuart Binny (L) and Naman Ojha run between wickets during the fourth day of their third and final test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo August 31, 2015. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

COLOMBO (Reuters) - India stood seven wickets away from a series-clinching victory after setting Sri Lanka a formidable 386-run victory target on the penultimate day of the third and final test on Monday.

Resuming on a precarious 21-3 in the bowler-dominated weather-hit contest, the visitors needed a string of cameos from their middle and lower-order batsmen to score 274 in their second innings.