Galle: India struck four times in Sri Lanka’s second innings to leave the hosts at 84/4 and needing another 288 runs on the final day of the first Test.
The visitors recovered from an early wobble with the bat to score 193 in their second innings before their bowlers made important inroads late on Day 4.
Rishabh Pant led India’s batting effort with 66, while KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal also contributed. Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando returned figures of 4/31, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 3/43.
Sri Lanka strike early before Pant leads recovery
Sri Lanka made the perfect start after India resumed their second innings, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck with the third ball of the day.
Fernando provided the early breakthrough and continued to trouble the Indian batting line-up on his way to four wickets.
Jayasuriya also kept India under pressure as Sri Lanka restricted the scoring during the early stages of the innings.
India, though, steadily rebuilt through their first six wickets. Pant’s half-century proved particularly important as the visitors extended their overall advantage.
The innings then ended quickly. India lost their final four wickets for just 19 runs and were bowled out for 193, their shortest innings of the first Test.
Pant top-scored with 66, while Rahul and Padikkal provided support as India set Sri Lanka a challenging fourth-innings target.
India bowlers make early inroads
Sri Lanka began their chase knowing a successful pursuit would give them an important victory in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
India responded with early wickets.
Young spinner Manav Suthar made an impact with figures of 30/2, while Mohammed Siraj struck twice in three balls during the seventh over.
The combination of pace and spin reduced Sri Lanka to 84/4 by stumps, leaving the hosts needing another 288 runs on Day 5.
India will go into the final day holding the advantage, but Sri Lanka still have six wickets in hand.
India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 48.15. Sri Lanka are one place below them in sixth with a points percentage of 41.67.
