Rishabh Pant’s Counterattacking Fifty Puts India in Command as Sri Lanka Lose Top Four

India moved within six wickets of victory in the Galle Test after a dominant fourth day that left Sri Lanka facing a record 288-run target. Rishabh Pant’s attacking 66 off 69 balls helped India extend their lead before the bowlers struck repeatedly to reduce Sri Lanka to 84 for 4 at stumps.

India, who began the day with a 178-run advantage, were eventually bowled out for 193, setting Sri Lanka 372 runs to win. Pant’s aggressive knock, which included his 100th Test six, proved crucial as the visitors maintained a scoring rate of close to four runs an over on a deteriorating surface.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler, claiming 4 for 41. His first breakthrough came when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed attempting a cut, continuing the batter’s struggles against pace with that shot.

KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then added 65 runs in an entertaining partnership. Rahul even celebrated with a hug and a blown kiss towards Padikkal after convincing him to review an lbw decision that was overturned.

Sri Lanka fought back strongly around lunch, removing Rahul, Padikkal, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel in quick succession. Pant, however, changed the tempo with an explosive innings.

The left-hander repeatedly attacked the bowlers, using his feet against the spinners and pulling short deliveries into unconventional areas. His fifty came with a pull behind square, while a six during the innings took him to 100 sixes in Test cricket.

India continued batting after Pant’s dismissal despite already holding a sizeable lead, eventually reaching a 371-run advantage. With rain a constant threat in Galle, India opted to bat Sri Lanka out of the contest rather than risk an early declaration.

The decision paid off as India’s bowlers immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure.

Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna extracted movement and bounce from the surface, while debutant Manav Suthar also made a significant impact. Sri Lanka lost three wickets inside the first 20 overs and were reduced to 41 for 3.

Siraj eventually removed Nishan Madushka after repeatedly testing him with short deliveries. Madushka attempted a hook but failed to keep the ball down.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara, making his Test debut after replacing the concussed Dinesh Chandimal, was dismissed by Suthar. The spinner produced a delivery that turned less than expected and slipped past Sooriyabandara’s inside edge.

Krishna followed with an impressive spell of 5-2-9-1, dismissing Kusal Mendis after the batter attempted to cut. His accurate lengths consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batters as the pitch offered both lateral movement and uneven bounce.

Suthar added another wicket when Lahiru Udara was caught low at gully by Dhruv Jurel. The catch was reviewed before the third umpire confirmed that Jurel’s fingers were underneath the ball.

Sri Lanka were 84 for 4 when bad light ended play at 6:08pm, with Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 31. They still require 288 runs to win, while India need six more wickets for victory.

With the pitch expected to deteriorate further on the final day, India remain firmly in control and will look to complete a series-opening win.