GALLE, Sri Lanka — India moved within six wickets of victory in the IND vs SL 1st Test after Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 66 helped set Sri Lanka a daunting target before India’s bowlers reduced the hosts to 84 for 4 at the end of Day 4.
- India set Sri Lanka 372 runs to win after being bowled out for 193 in their second innings.
- Rishabh Pant led India’s second-innings scoring with a 69-ball 66.
- India’s bowlers struck four times as Sri Lanka reached 84 for 4.
- Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha remained unbeaten at stumps, with Sri Lanka still needing 288 runs.
Rishabh Pant Changes the Tempo
India resumed the day with a 178-run advantage and initially found scoring difficult against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara used the uneven bounce and turn to keep the batters under pressure.
KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal nevertheless added 65 runs before Sri Lanka made a series of breakthroughs. Rahul, Padikkal, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel were dismissed during a period of sustained pressure.
Pant then changed the complexion of the innings. He repeatedly attacked the bowling by advancing down the pitch and finding inventive ways to deal with short deliveries.
His 66 came from 69 balls and included eight fours and two sixes. One of those sixes also took Pant to 100 sixes in Test cricket, a landmark reached by only two other players before him.
Asitha Fernando Leads Sri Lanka’s Attack
Asitha Fernando finished with 4 for 31, giving him the best figures by a Sri Lankan fast bowler at home since Suranga Lakmal’s 4 for 29 in 2019.
Fernando opened his account by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was caught behind while attempting a cut. The dismissal continued a recurring weakness for Jaiswal against pace, with the source noting that he has been dismissed cutting fast bowlers seven times since his Test debut.
India eventually finished their second innings on 193. With a 178-run first-innings lead already secured, their overall advantage reached 371, leaving Sri Lanka with 372 to win.
India’s Bowlers Make Immediate Inroads
The decision to bat deep into the innings was rewarded when India’s attack quickly put Sri Lanka under pressure. Ten of the first 20 overs of the chase came from fast bowlers, who helped restrict Sri Lanka to 41 for 3 during that phase.
Mohammed Siraj eventually removed Nishan Madushka Fernando with a short delivery after repeatedly challenging him with conventional outswing. Madushka attempted the hook but failed to keep the ball down.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara followed soon after. The batter had entered the match as a concussion replacement for Dinesh Chandimal and was dismissed by Manav Suthar after being caught on the crease.
Prasidh Krishna then added another wicket with a probing spell. He finished with 1 for 9 from five overs, including two maidens, and dismissed Kusal Mendis after the batter attempted to cut a delivery that climbed sharply.
Manav Suthar Keeps Sri Lanka Under Pressure
Suthar continued to trouble the Sri Lankan batters with his control and variation. He also dismissed Lahiru Udara after Dhruv Jurel completed a low catch at gully.
The catch was reviewed after some uncertainty, but the third umpire confirmed that Jurel had his fingers underneath the ball. The dismissal left Sri Lanka four wickets down.
India also appeared to have Dhananjaya de Silva caught at first slip off Ravindra Jadeja, but the wicket was overturned because Jadeja had overstepped.
Sri Lanka Need 288 Runs on the Final Day
Bad light ended play at 6.08pm with Sri Lanka on 84 for 4. Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 31, while Sonal Dinusha had reached 25 without being dismissed.
The pair’s resistance means Sri Lanka still have a route into the contest, but they require another 288 runs with six wickets remaining. India need the same six wickets to complete the victory.
The match has already seen 280 overs completed. If around 70 overs are possible on the final day, India could also have a second-new-ball period available during the closing stages, potentially adding another challenge for Sri Lanka’s lower order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs does Sri Lanka need to win the Galle Test?
Sri Lanka need 288 more runs to reach India’s target of 372 after finishing Day 4 on 84 for 4.
How did Rishabh Pant contribute to India’s position?
Pant scored 66 from 69 balls in India’s second innings, using aggressive strokeplay to help the team build a 371-run overall lead.
What Happens Next
Sri Lanka will resume with Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha at the crease. India need six wickets, while Sri Lanka must produce a substantial final-day chase to overturn the advantage created by India’s batting and bowling units.
Source: Match report and statistical information supplied for the India-Sri Lanka Test in Galle.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
