Rain threat as India leave Sri Lanka 84/4 on Day 4 in Galle Test
India reduced Sri Lanka to 84 for 4 at stumps on Day 4 of the first Test at Galle, leaving the hosts six wickets from victory as rain threatened to affect the final day.
India set Sri Lanka a target of 372 after posting 193 in their second innings, with Rishabh Pant (66), Devdutt Padikkal (44) and KL Rahul (35) the main contributors; Padikkal had earlier scored 167 in the first innings. Shubman Gill was dismissed lbw by Prabath Jayasuriya in India’s second innings, and KL Rahul also fell to Jayasuriya after an aggressive knock that included two sixes and a survived review on 25.
Sri Lanka began their chase cautiously following a short rain delay but lost Nishan Fernando in the opening over of the fourth innings when Mohammed Siraj hurried him into a pull that Prasidh Krishna took in the deep. Prasidh then removed Kamindu Mendis after setting him up with a series of deliveries before producing one that moved away. By stumps Manav Suthar had taken two wickets, leaving the hosts 84/4.
Dinesh Chandimal was forced out of the fourth innings after a heavy blow while fielding; a subsequent scan cleared him of injury but he failed the concussion assessment and Pasindu Sooriyabandara was introduced as his concussion substitute. The substitute lasted one delivery before Manav Suthar trapped him lbw, and Suthar later removed Lahiru Udara, consolidating India’s position.
Manav Suthar emerged as an important bowler for India on Day 4, claiming two wickets during Sri Lanka’s chase and providing crucial breakthroughs at a time when the hosts were trying to rebuild. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna claimed one wicket apiece during the day’s play, contributing to the 14 wickets that fell on Day 4, which was also interrupted by rain.
India’s batting was anchored by Rishabh Pant’s 66 in the second innings; he reached his half-century from 53 balls and "smashed his 100th six in Test cricket, becoming the first Indian and quickest batter to reach the landmark." Padikkal’s 44 and Rahul’s 35 helped India reach 193 and set the demanding target for Sri Lanka, with Padikkal eventually dismissed by Keshara Nuwantha and Pant out to Lahiru Kumara, caught by Niroshan Dickwella.
Play ended at 12.39 pm GMT (6.09 pm IST) because of fading light, with officials noting play could continue until 12.45 pm GMT (6.15 pm IST) if conditions allowed. India were described in the match coverage as the front-runners for the win, though the report cautioned rain could affect Day 5.
Sri Lanka must score a further 288 runs with six wickets remaining when play resumes, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha set to continue on 31 and 25 respectively; the first session of the final day is scheduled to begin at 4.15 am GMT (9.45 am IST).
