India solidified their dominance on the third day of the opening Test in Galle, establishing a 178-run first-innings lead. Although Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha showcased immense resilience by scoring his maiden Test hundred, the home side was eventually bowled out for 284. The Indian bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja, consistently applied pressure throughout the day, ensuring that the visitors remained in a position of significant strength despite the late-order resistance from the hosts.
The day began with India resuming their overnight score of 460 for 9. The tail-end resistance was brief, as Asitha Fernando claimed the final wicket of Prasidh Krishna after just two runs were added to the total. With the Indian innings concluded at 462, the focus shifted to the Sri Lankan response. The hosts faced immediate turmoil as Mohammed Siraj and Suthar dismantled the top order. Siraj induced an outside edge from Nishan Fernando to the slips, while Suthar made an instant impact by removing Dinesh Chandimal with his very first delivery of the match.
Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts were initially led by Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis, who attempted to stabilize the innings with aggressive strokeplay. However, the partnership was short-lived; Suthar claimed the wicket of Udara via a top-edged cut, and a brilliant one-handed catch by Shubman Gill at short extra cover saw the departure of Mendis for 14. By the time the fifth wicket fell, Sri Lanka was reeling at 90 for 5, necessitating a massive effort from the middle order to avoid a complete collapse.
The turning point for the hosts arrived in the form of a 146-run sixth-wicket partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella. The pair navigated a difficult period before lunch and continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers throughout the second session. Dinusha played a composed innings, while Dickwella utilized a flurry of boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. India’s frustration was evident as they unsuccessfully reviewed a potential edge off Dinusha’s bat, and Dickwella survived a close lbw shout before being dropped by KL Rahul at slip.
As the match progressed into the final session, the Indian spinners continued to challenge the batters with sharp turn and consistent lines. The breakthrough finally arrived when Prasidh Krishna induced an edge from Dickwella, who departed for 80. Shortly thereafter, Ravindra Jadeja reached a significant career milestone, becoming the fifth Indian bowler to surpass 350 Test wickets by dismissing Keshara Nuwantha, who had been caught by Gill at silly point. Jadeja finished the day with figures of 3 for 57, while Suthar claimed 4 for 76.
Dinusha continued his pursuit of a century, eventually reaching the milestone with support from Prabath Jayasuriya. This partnership ensured that Sri Lanka avoided the follow-on before the Indian bowlers wrapped up the innings. Poor light eventually forced the groundstaff to bring out the covers, leading to an early conclusion to the day’s play. The match stands with India at 462 (Padikkal 167, Rahul 82; Jayasuriya 4-109, Nuwantha 3-175) leading Sri Lanka at 284 (Dinusha 100, Dickwella 80; Suthar 4-76, Jadeja 3-57) by 178 runs. The report also notes that dinusha, who had added 39 for the fifth wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva, kept things steady while Dickwella dealt in a flurry of boundaries on either side of the lunch break. The report also notes that marking the second occasion of a 100-plus stand for the sixth wicket against India after Sri Lanka had lost their top five before reaching 10, dickwella and Dinusha brought up the century stand late in the second session. The report also notes that however, ended abruptly when Dickwella edged Prasidh Krishna behind, departing for 80, the partnership. The report also notes that dickwella, meanwhile, was saved by the umpire’s call soon after, when Suthar rapped him on the front pad. The report also notes that when a sharp turner from Ravindra Jadeja struck Dickwella on the pad, with replays revealing it was bouncing over the stumps, india lost their second review soon enough. The report also notes that there was plenty of spin on offer and the Indian spinners kept posing questions and trying to create opportunities. The report also notes that outside edges, inside edges and play and misses, Dickwella brought up a brisk half-century, amidst the top-edges.
Comments