India lead stretches to 294 at lunch on Day 4 despite Shubman Gill's early exit
India reached a lead of 294 runs at lunch on Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, with the interval recorded at 6.33 am GMT (12.03 pm IST), after Shubman Gill had been dismissed cheaply earlier in the innings. The post-lunch session was scheduled to resume at 7.13 am GMT (12.43 pm IST).
Dhruv Jurel came in at number six for India and faced probing spells from Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha during the opening session. Jurel survived a stifled caught-behind appeal against Jayasuriya that was turned down, and later drove a short delivery from Jayasuriya for four at 78.4 kph. India lost Devdutt Padikkal to an LBW decision against Nuwantha; Ahsan Raza raised the finger, Padikkal reviewed the call and the ball-tracking showed it hitting middle and leg stump.
The dismissal of Padikkal removed India’s fourth wicket, with the commentary noting: "India lose their 4th wicket with a lead of 289 runs." Padikkal had been the centurion in the first innings and was trapped by a delivery described as darted in from around the wicket, on a good length, that straightened to hit the back pad.
Rishabh Pant mixed caution with aggression through the session. He struck Lahiru Kumara for six, and later produced a reverse sweep off Keshara Nuwantha that the commentary credited with taking India past 100 and putting the lead at 280. Pant also had a close escape when a delivery popped off the shoulder of his blade and flew over the gully fielder.
Keshara Nuwantha found a boundary against Devdutt Padikkal as well, with the report noting: "Keshara Nuwantha to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! In the gap. Speared in at 89.3 kph, full and on the off stump. Padikkal reaches out in front for the sweep." Padikkal played a mix of front-foot drives and controlled sweeps before his dismissal.
Bowling changes were made during the session, with Dhananjaya de Silva replacing Prabath Jayasuriya in the attack. Lahiru Kumara repeatedly used short, rising deliveries; one such ball drew an evasive reaction from Padikkal and another was met by Pant’s lofted six.
The broadcast also reported that Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal was taken to hospital for scans during the session. With lunch taken and the scoreboard reading a 294-run Indian lead, play was due to resume in the scheduled post-lunch session at 7.13 am GMT (12.43 pm IST).
