India solidified their position on Day 3 of the first Test in Galle, establishing a 178-run lead over Sri Lanka. Despite a spirited fightback led by Sonal Dinusha, who recorded his maiden Test century, the hosts were eventually dismissed for 284. India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by left-arm spinners Manav Suthar, who claimed 4 for 76, and Ravindra Jadeja, who took 3 for 57. With this performance, Jadeja reached a significant career milestone, becoming the fifth Indian bowler to surpass 350 Test wickets.
The morning session began with India adding only two runs to their overnight score of 460 for 9 before Asitha Fernando dismissed Prasidh Krishna. Sri Lanka’s response started poorly, with Mohammed Siraj and Suthar dismantling the top order. Siraj induced an edge from Nishan Fernando to first slip, while Suthar struck with his very first delivery to remove Dinesh Chandimal. Although Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis attempted to stabilize the innings, Suthar dismissed Udara, and a spectacular one-handed catch by Shubman Gill at short extra cover accounted for Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 90 for 5.
A critical 146-run partnership between Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella provided the backbone of the Sri Lankan resistance. The duo navigated the challenging conditions through the middle sessions, with Dickwella playing aggressively to reach a brisk half-century while Dinusha remained composed. India’s frustration grew as they unsuccessfully reviewed an edge appeal against Dinusha and saw a difficult slip catch dropped by KL Rahul when Dickwella attempted a late cut off Suthar. Despite the pressure from the Indian spinners, the pair remained intact until the final session.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Dickwella, having scored 80, edged a delivery from Prasidh Krishna behind the stumps. Shortly after, Jadeja secured his 350th Test wicket when Keshara Nuwantha, who had earlier been reprieved by a dropped catch, struck a ball that deflected off the silly point fielder into the hands of Shubman Gill. Dinusha continued his patient vigil, eventually reaching his maiden Test hundred with support from Prabath Jayasuriya, who helped the team avoid the follow-on.
India wrapped up the final Sri Lankan wicket shortly after Dinusha’s milestone. Poor light conditions in Galle forced the groundstaff to bring out the covers, leading to an early conclusion to the day’s play. The match remains firmly in India’s control as they look to build on their substantial first-innings advantage.
In the first innings, India posted a total of 462, driven by Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 and KL Rahul’s 82. Sri Lanka’s bowling effort was led by Prabath Jayasuriya, who took 4 for 109, and Keshara Nuwantha, who finished with 3 for 175. The match continues to highlight the dominance of spin on the Galle surface, with both sides relying heavily on their slow bowlers to create opportunities. The report also notes that adding 146 in a sixth-wicket stand with Niroshan Dickwella, but Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 284, conceding a lead of 178, sonal led the home team’s fightback after early wickets. The report also notes that dinusha, who had added 39 for the fifth wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva, kept things steady while Dickwella dealt in a flurry of boundaries on either side of the lunch break. The report also notes that marking the second occasion of a 100-plus stand for the sixth wicket against India after Sri Lanka had lost their top five before reaching 10, dickwella and Dinusha brought up the century stand late in the second session. The report also notes that dickwella, meanwhile, was saved by the umpire’s call soon after, when Suthar rapped him on the front pad. The report also notes that when a sharp turner from Ravindra Jadeja struck Dickwella on the pad, with replays revealing it was bouncing over the stumps, india lost their second review soon enough. The report also notes that there was plenty of spin on offer and the Indian spinners kept posing questions and trying to create opportunities. The report also notes that marking the second occasion of a 100-plus stand for the sixth wicket against India after Sri Lanka had lost their top five before reaching 100, dickwella and Dinusha brought up the century stand late in the second session.
