India leave Sri Lanka needing 372 to win in first Test at Galle

India strengthened their grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) after being bowled out for 193 in their second innings. The visitors’ late-innings total set Sri Lanka a target to chase for victory in the opening Test.

India had earlier posted 462 in their first innings and, on Monday (August 17), had bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 to take a 174-run lead. Returning to bat on Tuesday, India adopted an aggressive approach as they sought to push their lead beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.

India lost an early wicket when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Asitha Fernando off the third ball of the opening over. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then steadied the innings, putting on a 64-run partnership that took India to 116 for 4 by lunch.

Rahul made 35 and Padikkal 44 before Rahul was eventually dismissed as the second wicket to fall. Shubman Gill departed for 8, with Prabath Jayasuriya finishing with figures of 3/43 and claiming both wickets.

Rishabh Pant attacked the Sri Lankan bowling, scoring 66 off 69 balls and hitting two sixes. Pant’s innings also saw him become the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket and the fastest player in the world to reach that milestone.

India were bowled out for 193 in the second innings, setting Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs for victory in the first Test. Sri Lanka will now begin their chase of 372 to win the match.