Galle, Aug 2026 : India strengthened their position in the first Test against Sri Lanka after taking a commanding 294-run lead at lunch on Day 4 at the Galle International Stadium, but the hosts struck back through left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to leave the visitors four wickets down in their second innings.
India reached 116/4 at the interval after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 earlier in the day. Devdutt Padikkal, who had scored a century in India's first innings, continued his impressive form with a composed 44, while Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 21. Dhruv Jurel was not out on five at the break.
Jayasuriya was the chief threat for Sri Lanka, claiming two wickets in India's second innings and repeatedly troubling the Indian batters with his turn and variation. Keshara Nuwantha also picked up a wicket as the home side fought hard to prevent India from building an unassailable advantage.
India began the fourth day with a 178-run lead after dismissing Sri Lanka for 284. The hosts, however, made an immediate breakthrough when Asitha Fernando removed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Jaiswal attempted to cut a good-length delivery but the ball bounced more than expected, taking the top edge before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella completed the catch. His dismissal brought Padikkal to the crease alongside KL Rahul.
The pair steadied the innings and then began to accelerate, putting together a crucial 65-run partnership. Rahul initially played cautiously, while Padikkal looked in complete control from the outset. The left-hander struck Fernando through extra cover for his first boundary and followed it with another four against Nuwantha.
Sri Lanka suffered an injury setback during the fourth over when experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal hurt his neck and shoulder while attempting to prevent a boundary off a Rahul sweep. Chandimal left the field and was taken to hospital for scans, according to Sri Lanka Cricket.
With spin introduced from both ends, Rahul gradually increased the tempo. He struck Jayasuriya for two sixes and appeared to be gaining control. The spinner, however, almost had the Indian batter trapped leg before wicket. Rahul was initially uncertain about reviewing the decision, but Padikkal advised him to take the review. The replay showed the delivery would have missed the stumps on height, allowing Rahul to survive.
The reprieve did not last long. Rahul, who had used the sweep effectively, attempted to hit Jayasuriya over mid-on but mistimed the shot. The ball turned slightly and went towards deep mid-off, where the catch was completed. Rahul departed for 35, ending the 65-run partnership.
Captain Shubman Gill joined Padikkal but could not stay for long. Gill began positively, flicking Nuwantha through the mid-wicket region for a boundary, but Jayasuriya soon trapped him in front. Gill opted for a review, but the decision remained unchanged and India lost another review.
Pant then walked in and initially took his time before finding his rhythm. He hit Nuwantha for a boundary and then produced one of his trademark attacking strokes when Lahiru Kumara came on to bowl. Pant launched the first ball of Kumara's over over the boundary for a six down the ground.
Padikkal continued to look assured as he moved towards another substantial contribution. However, just before lunch, Nuwantha dismissed him for 44. Padikkal went onto the back foot attempting a flick but missed a quicker good-length delivery that spun away, leaving him trapped in front.
Jurel came in with India needing to consolidate their advantage. He immediately showed positive intent, hitting Jayasuriya for a boundary in the 29th over, which proved to be the final over before the lunch interval.
At the break, India were 116/4, with Pant unbeaten on 21 and Jurel on five. The visitors had already established a formidable 294-run lead, putting Sri Lanka under considerable pressure heading into the second session.
India had earlier posted 462 in their first innings, powered by Padikkal's magnificent 167 and Rahul's 82. Jayasuriya claimed four wickets for 109 runs, while Nuwantha took three for 175. Sri Lanka responded with 284, with Sonal Dinusha scoring a century and Dickwella contributing 80. India's Manav Suthar took four wickets for 76, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed three for 57.
With six wickets still in hand, India will look to extend their lead further and put Sri Lanka under severe pressure in the final stages of the Test. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will hope Jayasuriya and the rest of their bowling attack can make further inroads before India can establish an overwhelming advantage.
Brief Scores: India 462 (Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82; Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Keshara Nuwantha 3/175) and 116/4 (Devdutt Padikkal 44, Rishabh Pant 21*; Prabath Jayasuriya 2/42, Keshara Nuwantha 1/54) lead Sri Lanka 284 (Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80; Manav Suthar 4/76, Ravindra Jadeja 3/57) by 294 runs.
