Galle, Aug 2026 : Sri Lanka needed just four deliveries on Monday morning to complete India’s first innings at 462 on the third day of the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium. Pacer Asitha Fernando dismissed tailender Prasidh Krishna in the opening over to bring India’s innings to a swift end.
India resumed play at 460/9, with Kuldeep Yadav and Krishna at the crease. The visitors had decided against taking the heavy roller before play began, hoping that allowing the surface to deteriorate would make batting increasingly difficult for Sri Lanka later in the match. However, the strategy did not produce the desired result as India’s final pair lasted less than three minutes.
The day began 15 minutes ahead of schedule after persistent rain had caused overs to be lost during the opening two days. Sri Lanka immediately put pressure on the Indian tailenders, with Fernando targeting Krishna with short-pitched deliveries.
Fernando started with a back-of-a-length delivery directed at Krishna’s body. The batter managed to fend it towards square leg and opened his account, giving the strike to Kuldeep. The left-hander then pulled a short delivery outside off stump over a leaping fielder and collected a single at deep mid-wicket, bringing Krishna back on strike.
Fernando responded by intensifying his short-ball attack. Coming around the wicket, he sent a sharp delivery into Krishna’s ribs, forcing the Indian batter to struggle out of the way. The pacer followed it up with another short ball, and Krishna attempted to counter the tactic with a pull.
However, the shot went wrong as Krishna only managed to glove the ball behind the wicket. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella completed a straightforward catch, ending India’s innings.
Krishna was dismissed for two from seven deliveries, while Kuldeep remained unbeaten on 13. India’s total was built largely around a magnificent 167 from Devdutt Padikkal and a composed 82 by KL Rahul.
For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 109 runs, while Keshara Nuwantha claimed three wickets for 175.
Meanwhile, there was a late alteration to the umpiring arrangements before play began. TV umpire Ahsan Raza took over on-field duties from Rod Tucker, who continued to remain unavailable due to illness. Reserve umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri moved into the third-umpire role.
Brief Scores: India 462 in 116.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82; Prabath Jayasuriya 4-109, Keshara Nuwantha 3-175).
