India set Sri Lanka a 372 target in first Test at Galle; ground’s top fourth-innings chase is 342

India set Sri Lanka a fourth-innings target of 372 in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium as the match entered its decisive stages. India had earlier posted 462 in their first innings and held a 178-run lead after bowling Sri Lanka out for 284.

In their second innings India moved past the 350 mark to establish the 372-run target, with Rishabh Pant contributing 66. The match has seen significant assistance for spinners, with bowlers from both sides taking the majority of wickets. Fourth-innings batting at Galle has historically been described as extremely demanding.

The highest successful fourth-innings chase recorded at Galle is 342, achieved by Pakistan during their 2022 tour of Sri Lanka. That 342 chase remains the only occasion a team has chased down a total of 300 or more in the fourth innings at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Before Pakistan’s 2022 effort, the top successful fourth-innings chase at the venue was 268, compiled by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in 2019. Former Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne played a special knock in that 268-run chase.

The historical record shows that, prior to 2022, only one team had managed to chase more than 200 runs in the final innings at this ground. Those figures underline the rarity of large successful fourth-innings chases at Galle.

With India having set 372, the visitors hold a substantial advantage as Sri Lanka prepare to bat in the fourth innings. The hosts must produce a very special effort if they are to overhaul the new benchmark target at this venue.

Sri Lanka will now begin their fourth-innings pursuit of 372 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.