Galle: India will begin Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka with a 178-run lead after the hosts recovered from 90/5 to post 284 on Day 3 here on Monday, keeping themselves in the contest despite the visitors remaining firmly in control.
Sri Lanka began the third day well, dismissing Prasidh Krishna with just the fourth ball of the morning to bring India’s first innings to an end.
Their early momentum, though, was quickly checked. Mohammed Siraj struck with only the second ball of Sri Lanka’s innings before India’s spinners took control.
The hosts slipped to 90/5 and were in danger of being asked to follow on before Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella led a strong recovery.
Dinusha, Dickwella lead Sri Lanka fightback
Dinusha and Dickwella added 146 runs for the sixth wicket to bring Sri Lanka back into the contest.
Dinusha went on to score his maiden Test century, while Dickwella made a valuable 80. Their partnership helped Sri Lanka avoid the follow-on and reduce India’s first-innings advantage.
India eventually bowled Sri Lanka out for 284, with young spinner Manav Suthar leading the attack with four wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja supported him with three wickets and also reached a major personal milestone during the innings.
Jadeja became only the fifth Indian bowler to take 350 Test wickets. He also joined an elite group of all-rounders to have scored more than 4,000 Test runs and claimed at least 350 wickets.
Padikkal’s 167 sets up India’s strong position
Earlier in the Test, India won the toss and elected to bat first before posting 462.
Devdutt Padikkal led the way with 167, while KL Rahul contributed 82 and Dhruv Jurel scored 51.
Prabath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4/109.
Keshara Nuwantha claimed three wickets, while Asitha Fernando picked up two as Sri Lanka fought back to limit India’s total.
India will now look to build on their 178-run advantage on Day 4, while Sri Lanka will hope their recovery on the third day can help them stay in the opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship series.
