India strengthened their position in the first Test against Sri Lanka after bowling the hosts out for 284 on Day 3 at the Galle International Stadium. The visitors resumed their first innings at 460/9 and added only two runs before being dismissed, setting Sri Lanka a challenging task with a significant first-innings total already on the board.
Sri Lanka’s response began disastrously as India’s bowlers reduced the hosts to 90/5. However, just when the visitors appeared set to take complete control, Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella produced a remarkable counter-attack to drag Sri Lanka back into the contest.
Manav Suthar rattles Sri Lanka’s top order
India wrapped up their first innings at 462 after Prasidh Krishna was dismissed without scoring, leaving Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 13. Sri Lanka then endured a disastrous start to their reply. Mohammed Siraj struck with his second delivery of the innings, removing Nishan Madushka for a duck. Manav Suthar then made an immediate impact, troubling the Sri Lankan batters with his turn and bounce.
The left-arm spinner dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with his very first delivery, before Lahiru Udara fell while attempting to manufacture a cut shot. Kuldeep also contributed with a wicket when Kamindu Mendis charged down the pitch, with Shubman Gill producing an excellent one-handed catch to complete the dismissal. Ravindra Jadeja subsequently joined the attack and removed Dhananjaya de Silva, leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble at 90/5.
Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella lead Sri Lanka’s fightback
With Sri Lanka five wickets down, Dinusha and Dickwella launched a stunning counter-attack. The pair took on India’s spinners with aggressive sweeps and inventive strokeplay, particularly once the ball became softer. The sixth-wicket partnership rapidly changed the complexion of the innings.
Dinusha and Dickwella added 146 runs together, taking Sri Lanka safely beyond the 200-run mark and ensuring India could not seriously consider enforcing the follow-on. Both batters completed their respective half-centuries, with Dickwella playing a particularly aggressive innings against the spinners. Dinusha, meanwhile, continued to bat with confidence and eventually reached a landmark of his own.
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Sonal Dinusha hits maiden Test century as India regain control
Dinusha brought up his maiden Test century after tea, completing a remarkable rescue act for Sri Lanka. His hundred ensured the hosts crossed the follow-on target and kept them alive in the contest. However, India finally broke the partnership when Prasidh dismissed Dickwella for 80. The wicket came after a well-directed delivery found the outside edge, ending a crucial 146-run stand.
Once Dickwella departed, Sri Lanka’s resistance quickly disappeared. Jadeja and Suthar tore through the lower order, with Jadeja reaching the milestone of 350 Test wickets in the process. Suthar eventually completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Lahiru Kumara, while Jadeja finished with three wickets for 57 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284, handing India a substantial 178-run first-innings advantage.
Rain and bad light then brought an early end to proceedings, leaving India with limited time to build on their lead. With the visitors holding a sizeable advantage and Sri Lanka having lost all 10 wickets, India remain firmly in control heading into the next stage of the Test.
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