A explosive half-century from Rishabh Pant and precise bowling from Manav Suthar have put India within six wickets of securing a dominant victory over Sri Lanka on the final day of the first Test in Galle.
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GALLE — India have placed themselves on the threshold of a comprehensive victory against Sri Lanka in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium, needing just six wickets on the final day to wrap up the match. Powered by an aggressive half-century from wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and a composed second-inning batting display, the visitors set Sri Lanka an arduous victory target of 372 runs on a pitch offering significant assistance to bowlers.
By the close of play on Day 4, the hosts were reeling at 84 for four in their second innings after 34 overs, still requiring 288 runs to pull off an improbable win. Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was undefeated on 31 alongside Sonal Dinusha, who remained unbeaten on 25, having mounted a temporary recovery following a disastrous top-order collapse.
Pant Counter-Attacks After Top-Order Stumbles
Carrying a substantial first-innings lead of 178 runs, India entered the fourth day looking to extend their dominance. However, their second innings began on a shaky note when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck off the third ball of the opening over, edging Asitha Fernando to Niroshan Dickwella behind the stumps.
First-innings centurion Devdutt Padikkal joined KL Rahul to steady the innings with a solid 65-run partnership for the second wicket. Rahul launched Prabath Jayasuriya for two maximums before miscuing an aerial shot in the 15th over to Milan Rathnayake at mid-on, departing for 35. Jayasuriya struck again shortly after, trapping Indian captain Shubman Gill leg-before for eight.
The arrival of Rishabh Pant injected swift momentum into the Indian innings. Pant alongside Padikkal scored at a brisk pace to push India forward. Pant showed his typical aggression, clearing the ropes off Lahiru Kumara. Nuwantha Thushara brought an end to Padikkal's crisp knock of 44 by trapping him leg-before-wicket, taking India to lunch at 116 for four.
Despite losing Dhruv Jurel for seven shortly after the interval, Pant continued his relentless assault. He smashed three boundaries off Nuwantha in the 36th over and brought up his 20th Test half-century in style with a towering six off Kumara. Pant's entertaining knock came to an end at 66 off 69 balls—a frame that included eight boundaries and two sixes—when he edged Kumara to the wicketkeeper.
Following Pant's departure, India's lower order offered little resistance. Ravindra Jadeja made just nine runs, and the side was eventually bowled out for 193 in 48.5 overs, building on their earlier total after
Indian Attack Shatters Sri Lankan Top Order
Faced with a massive run chase, Sri Lanka's top order crumbled under sharp movement and bounce from the Indian seamers and early turn from the spinners. Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj set the tone early by removing Nishan Madushka for six with a well-directed short ball that was caught by Prasidh Krishna.
Concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who replaced Dinesh Chandimal after the latter sustained an injury while fielding, registered a two-ball duck after being trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. Prasidh Krishna then utilized his height to generate steep bounce, forcing Kamindu Mendis (2) to edge a short-pitched delivery to KL Rahul at first slip.
Suthar struck again shortly after, bowling Lahiru Udara for 16 to leave Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 47 for four. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha then showed resistance, putting together an unbroken 37-run stand to ensure no further damage before stumps were drawn.
Milestones and Historical Context
During his explosive 66-run knock, Rishabh Pant reached a major milestone in Test cricket by completing 100 career sixes. He becomes only the third batter in history to cross the century mark for sixes in the Test format, joining Ben Stokes (138) and Brendon McCullum (107) at the top of the list.
The task ahead for Sri Lanka remains historically daunting. The highest successful fourth-innings run chase ever completed at the Galle International Stadium is 344, achieved by Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2022. Furthermore, Sri Lanka have successfully chased a target of over 350 runs only twice in their Test history—against Zimbabwe (388) in 2017 and South Africa (352) in 2006.
With six wickets in hand and 288 runs still required on a deteriorating surface, the home side faces an uphill battle to save the Test match, while India remain firm favorites to close out a victory on Day 5.
Brief Scores
India 1st Innings: 462 all out
Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 284 all out
India 2nd Innings: 193 all out in 48.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44; Asitha Fernando 4/31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/43)
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (Target 372): 84/4 in 34 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 31*, Sonal Dinusha 25*; Manav Suthar 2/30)
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