India strengthen grip as Sri Lanka lose four wickets before Lunch on Day 4

Galle, August 18, 2026; India moved closer to setting Sri Lanka a daunting target as the hosts struck four times during the opening session of the fourth day in the first Test at Galle. India reached 116 for four by lunch and carried an overall lead of 294 runs, with Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 21 and Dhruv Jurel on five.

India’s second innings began dramatically when Asitha Fernando removed Yashasvi Jaiswal without scoring. The Indian opener edged the delivery behind the stumps, handing Sri Lanka an early breakthrough and reducing India to 0 for 1.

KL Rahul then joined Devdutt Padikkal and the pair gradually steadied the innings. They negotiated the Sri Lankan attack effectively and pushed the score past 50, with Rahul adopting an increasingly aggressive approach against the spinners.

The partnership eventually produced 65 runs before Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Rahul for 35. The right-hander struck two boundaries and two sixes during his 47-ball stay, but India were suddenly placed at 65 for two.

Jayasuriya continued to trouble the Indian batting line-up and soon accounted for captain Shubman Gill. Gill managed only eight from 20 deliveries, leaving India at 81 for three and giving Sri Lanka renewed hope of restricting the visitors’ advantage.

Padikkal and Pant responded positively, taking India beyond the 100-run mark. Pant played several attacking strokes, including a boundary against Keshara Nuwantha, as India attempted to rebuild once again.

Nuwantha then delivered another important blow by trapping Padikkal leg before wicket. The left-hander made 44 from 75 deliveries, including six fours, before departing with India’s total on 111 for four.

Pant and Jurel survived the remaining deliveries before the lunch interval, ensuring India retained control despite Sri Lanka’s steady stream of wickets.

The visitors had established a substantial first-innings advantage after making 462. Sri Lanka were subsequently bowled out for 284, leaving India with a 178-run lead before their second innings began.

Sri Lanka’s first-innings resistance was led by Sonal Dinusha, who completed his maiden Test century. He combined with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella for a crucial sixth-wicket partnership worth 146 runs, significantly delaying India’s progress.

Dickwella contributed 80 before Prasidh Krishna ended his innings. Dinusha continued his resistance to reach three figures, but India’s spinners eventually tightened the pressure. Manav Suthar claimed four wickets for 76 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja finished with three for 57.

With India already holding a commanding advantage and another full session remaining on the fourth day, Sri Lanka face a difficult task to prevent the visitors from taking a decisive position in the Test.

Brief Scores: India 462 & 116/4 (Devdutt Padikkal 44, KL Rahul 35; Prabath Jayasuriya 2/42); Sri Lanka 284 (Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80; Manav Suthar 4/76).