Cricket / Sri Lanka Reeling at 84/4 as India Sense Victory in Galle Test

Galle, Aug 18: On a day when discipline and persistence defined India’s approach, their bowlers combined to tighten the noose around Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium.

By stumps on Day 4, the hosts were tottering at 84/4, still 288 runs adrift of an improbable victory target of 372.

The story of the day was India’s relentless bowling effort. Manav Suthar struck twice, while Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with a wicket apiece. Their probing spells ensured Sri Lanka never found breathing space, even as captain Dhananjaya de Silva (31* off 73 balls) and Sonal Dinusha (25* off 36) fought hard to stitch an unbeaten 37‑run stand for the fifth wicket.

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India began defending their 371‑run cushion after posting 193 in the second innings. Siraj and Suthar wasted no time in making inroads. Siraj delivered the first breakthrough in the seventh over, bouncing out Nishan Madushka (6), caught at deep fine leg. Suthar followed up immediately, removing concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara (0), who had replaced the injured Dinesh Chandimal. The delivery thudded into the back leg, and though the umpire initially ruled it not out, India successfully overturned the decision on review.

Prasidh Krishna then joined the party with a superb spell of hard‑length bowling. In his first five overs, he conceded just nine runs, including two maidens, and scalped Kamindu Mendis (2) in the 11th over. The batter looked uncertain whether to play vertically or horizontally, edging behind for KL Rahul to complete a simple catch.

At 21/3, Sri Lanka were in deep trouble. Lahiru Udara (16) and de Silva steadied the innings with a 26‑run stand, but Suthar returned to break it. Udara edged a fuller delivery, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel dived forward to complete a low catch. The third umpire upheld the dismissal, declaring, “I can see fingers underneath.”

De Silva and Dinusha then dug in, showing resilience against India’s varied attack. Jadeja bowled with control but rued a costly no‑ball when he had de Silva caught at slips in the 16th over. Kuldeep Yadav was introduced late, in the 29th over, but his loopy deliveries caused no further damage.

There was a moment of concern when Dhruv Jurel was struck on the ankle while evading a flick from Dinusha. He left the field in pain, with Sarfaraz Khan stepping in as substitute. Despite the scare, India’s bowlers maintained their grip, mixing pace and spin to keep the batters guessing.

As the lights faded, Sri Lanka remained far from the target, their hopes pinned on de Silva and Dinusha. With India’s attack brimming with confidence, the visitors looked poised to press home their advantage on the final day.

Earlier in the day, India’s batters had set the stage with aggressive intent. Rishabh Pant blazed away to 66 off 69 balls, while KL Rahul (35) and Devdutt Padikkal (44) forged a 65‑run stand for the second wicket. Their contributions lifted India to 193, giving the bowlers a sizeable cushion to defend.

With Sri Lanka needing 288 more runs and only six wickets in hand, the odds remain heavily stacked against them. India’s disciplined bowling display has left them firmly in command, and barring a miracle, the visitors appear destined to clinch the opening Test.
Brief scores: India 462 & 193 (Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44; Asitha Fernando 4-31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-43) lead Sri Lanka 284 & 84/4 in 34 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 31 not out, Sonal Dinusha 25 not out; Manav Suthar 2-30, Prasidh Krishna 1-13) by 288 runs

(IANS)