Cricket
oi-Gaurav Sharma
India moved within six wickets of a hard-earned win over Sri Lanka after a gripping fourth day of the first Test in Galle, where Rishabh Pant’s counter-attacking half-century and Manav Suthar’s late strikes left the hosts under heavy pressure. Set 372 to win, Sri Lanka reached 84/4 at stumps, still needing 288 runs on the final day.
The match remains alive, but only just for Sri Lanka. Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 31 and Sonal Dinusha on 25 when play ended, giving the hosts a small measure of resistance after India’s bowlers broke through early. Rain interruptions added another layer of uncertainty, with weather still capable of influencing the final result.
India is six wickets away from winning the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with the hosts at 84/4 chasing 372 at stumps on Day 4. Rishabh Pant’s quick 66 and Manav Suthar’s late wickets put Sri Lanka under pressure.
Rishabh Pant gives India control after Sri Lanka fight back
India’s second innings ended at 193, a total that looked modest in isolation but became significant because of their first-innings advantage. Pant’s 66 off 69 balls gave India the push they needed on a surface where run-scoring became harder as the day progressed. His innings changed the tempo after Sri Lanka had threatened to keep the target within reach.
KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal had earlier added important runs to stretch India’s lead. Their stand offered stability before Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit back. Padikkal, who has had a strong Test in Galle, again played with composure before falling as India searched for faster runs. Rahul’s contribution helped blunt the new-ball threat and preserve India’s advantage.
Pant then took charge in familiar fashion. He attacked the spinners, used his feet, and forced Sri Lanka to spread the field. The left-hander brought up his fifty while batting with Ravindra Jadeja, giving India momentum at a stage when quick wickets could have opened the game. His dismissal slowed the innings, but by then the target had already moved into uncomfortable territory.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers ensured India did not run away with the contest. Asitha Fernando removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and later dismissed Manav Suthar, while Prabath Jayasuriya claimed the wicket of India captain Shubman Gill. The hosts kept chipping away, eventually bowling India out, but the chase demanded something exceptional from a batting line-up already under pressure.
Manav Suthar and India’s bowlers strike in Sri Lanka chase
India’s defence began strongly when Mohammed Siraj removed Nishan Madushka, giving the visitors the early wicket they wanted. The breakthrough immediately changed Sri Lanka’s approach. A target of 372 at Galle required patience, but losing a top-order batter early made survival and scoring equally difficult for the home side.
Manav Suthar then produced the most decisive spell of the final session. The left-arm spinner dismissed Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Lahiru Udara, leaving Sri Lanka struggling to rebuild. His wickets were important not only for the scoreline, but also for India’s confidence going into the fifth day on a surface offering increasing help to spin.
Prasidh Krishna added another blow by removing Kamindu Mendis, one of Sri Lanka’s more reliable middle-order batters. At 84/4, Sri Lanka were left depending heavily on Dhananjaya de Silva, their most experienced remaining batter, and Sonal Dinusha, who showed restraint during a tense passage before stumps.
Dhananjaya’s unbeaten 31 kept Sri Lanka from collapsing completely. Dinusha’s 25 not out also carried value because India’s bowlers were attacking constantly with close catchers around the bat. The pair will resume knowing that the first hour on Day 5 could define the match. For India, one early wicket may expose the lower order quickly.
What India need on Day 5 in Galle
India require six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Their immediate task will be to separate Dhananjaya and Dinusha before Sri Lanka can settle into a longer partnership. With 288 still needed, the hosts are unlikely to chase freely unless they survive deep into the day with wickets intact.
The Galle surface has traditionally rewarded spinners as Tests move into the final stages. That makes Suthar’s role crucial, especially after his two wickets on Day 4. Jadeja’s experience could also become decisive if the pitch continues to grip. Siraj and Prasidh, meanwhile, give India options if reverse swing or uneven bounce comes into play.
Rain is the only factor that could seriously complicate India’s position. Play was temporarily halted on Day 4, and any further loss of time would help Sri Lanka’s survival chances. Still, India have enough overs available in normal conditions to force a result, provided they maintain pressure and avoid loose spells.
For Sri Lanka, the path is narrow but not closed. They must bat in phases rather than think immediately about the target. Dhananjaya’s wicket will be the key for both sides. If he bats through the first session, India may have to work harder. If he falls early, the visitors will be strong favourites to finish the job.
After four fluctuating days, India hold the clear advantage in Galle. Pant’s brisk 66 gave their second innings purpose, while Suthar’s late wickets shifted the chase firmly in India’s favour. Sri Lanka still have batting left, but the final day begins with the hosts needing time, runs and resilience against an attack hunting six more wickets.
