India Takes Command in First Test Against Sri Lanka
India has put themselves in a strong position to win the first Test match in Galle after their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 84-4 while chasing a challenging target of 372 runs. This impressive performance came on day four of the match.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was instrumental in dismantling Sri Lanka’s top order, taking two crucial wickets on a pitch known for its significant spin.
Earlier in the day, India was bowled out for 193 runs during the tea break. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was the star of the innings, scoring 66 runs. He also achieved a new milestone, becoming the fastest player in Test cricket history to hit 100 sixes.
Sri Lanka faced early trouble in their innings, slipping to 47-4. However, their captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 31 not out, and Sonal Dinusha, who remained unbeaten on 25, managed to steady the ship and carried the team to the end of the day without further losses.
Ryan van Niekerk, Sri Lanka’s pace bowling coach, acknowledged the challenges of batting in Galle, stating, “Historically, spin plays a big role in the last couple of days, making it tough for batters. Our bowling unit is working hard to get wickets because a team like India will always look to take control.”
In the chase, Sri Lanka’s opener Nishan Madushka Fernando was the first to fall, dismissed for six runs after top-edging a hook shot off Mohammed Siraj. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made his debut as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal, faced a rough start and was out for a golden duck, trapped lbw by Suthar.
Suthar remarked on the pitch, saying, “The wicket was playing well, and even in the second innings, we only saw a little turn. Maybe tomorrow we’ll get more spin.”
Prasidh Krishna followed up by dismissing Kamindu Mendis, caught at slip for just two runs. De Silva survived an early scare when a no-ball from Ravindra Jadeja denied a slip catch when he was on seven.
Lahiru Udara then fell to Suthar, with a low catch taken by Dhruv Jurel, a decision that sparked some disappointment in the Sri Lankan camp as it appeared the ball hit the ground before being caught.
Despite these setbacks, De Silva and first-innings centurion Dinusha managed to guide their team to the end of the day without losing further wickets. Yet, Sri Lanka still has more than 90 overs ahead of them to either salvage a draw or chase down the target.
Weather conditions may also play a role, as rain is expected on the fifth day of the match, which has already been affected by sporadic weather.
In a previous part of the game, Sri Lanka had claimed several wickets in India’s second innings, but Rishabh Pant’s solid performance kept India in control, as he struck eight fours and two sixes during his innings.
Pant’s explosive style earned him a place in the record books, reaching 100 sixes in just 89 Test innings, breaking Adam Gilchrist’s previous record of 130 innings.
Devdutt Padikkal also contributed, looking solid with a score of 44 after replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal, who unfortunately went out for a duck. Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando stood out with impressive bowling figures of 4-31.
As the match heads into the final day, the tension rises, and fans eagerly await the outcome.
