India moved close to taking a 1-0 lead in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, ending the fourth day with the host side in deep trouble at 84 for four while chasing 372.
With one day left, Sri Lanka still needs 288 runs. India needs six wickets. The final session on Tuesday gave India the clear advantage after its bowlers struck quickly and prevented Sri Lanka from settling into the chase.
India had earlier been bowled out for 193 in its second innings. That total, added to a first-innings lead of 178, left Sri Lanka with a target of 372 at the Galle International Stadium. The weather stayed mostly clear, apart from a brief spell of rain, allowing India enough time to push for wickets before stumps.
Early wickets hurt Sri Lanka’s chase
Sri Lanka’s reply began under pressure, and the innings soon lost direction. Nishan Fernando was the first to go after taking on a bouncer from Mohammed Siraj. His shot went to Prasidh Krishna in the deep, giving India an early breakthrough.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar then struck with his first ball to Pasindu Sooriyabandara, trapping him for a duck. Sooriyabandara had come in as the concussion substitute after Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out with an injury, adding to Sri Lanka’s problems before the chase had properly taken shape.
Prasidh also made an impact with the ball when Kamindu Mendis edged an angled delivery to K.L. Rahul in the slips. The dismissal left Sri Lanka three down and gave India control of the final session.
Lahiru Udara, who had made a start as opener, could not carry on. He was dismissed while playing tentatively at Suthar. Dhruv Jurel completed the catch close to the bat. There was some uncertainty over the take, but the third umpire did not find enough reason to overturn it.
Pant and Jadeja stretch India’s lead
India began the day with a lead of 178 and a clear need to build quickly. The approach was aggressive from the start, partly because of the uncertain weather in Galle. Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, fell for a duck after slashing early in the innings.
K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then gave India the push it needed. Padikkal played fluently for 44, while Rahul shifted gears with attacking strokes against the spinners. He hit Prabath Jayasuriya for two sixes and also played a slog-swept boundary before falling while attempting another lofted shot.
Captain Shubman Gill did not last long, getting trapped in front while trying to sweep. Padikkal, who had been scoring at a brisk rate, was later dismissed by off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha. India went to lunch at 116 for four.
After the interval, Jurel edged one down the leg side, leaving India in need of another stand. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja then came together and shifted the pressure back on Sri Lanka.
Pant made 66 from 69 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. His innings included scoops and reverse hits, forcing Sri Lanka to think about unusual field placements at third man and fine leg. He scored quickly without allowing the bowlers to settle into one plan.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva used spin for long spells before turning to Lahiru Kumara. The plan appeared to be based on using bounce and looking for a top edge, especially against Pant’s attacking options.
India in command before final day
India’s second innings ended at 193, which was enough to set a demanding fourth-innings target on a wearing surface. The visitors did not bat Sri Lanka out of the match for time, but they gave their bowlers a strong total to defend.
By stumps, that decision had paid off. Siraj, Prasidh and Suthar all played roles in reducing Sri Lanka to 84 for four. The wickets of Fernando, Sooriyabandara, Kamindu and Udara left Sri Lanka with a long final day ahead.
The first Test now goes into its fifth day with India firmly ahead. Sri Lanka’s remaining batters need a large partnership to keep the match alive, while India will look to close out the result and take the series lead in Galle.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.