India moved closer to victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka after left-arm spinner Manav Suthar claimed two wickets to leave the hosts struggling at 84-4 at stumps on the fourth day in Galle.
Sri Lanka were reduced to 47-4 in their second innings before captain Dhananjaya de Silva, unbeaten on 31, and first-innings centurion Sonal Dinusha, not out on 25, steadied the innings with a determined partnership.
Sri Lanka still need to bat through more than 90 overs to save the match, although rain forecast for the fifth day could provide the hosts with some relief.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 66 and became the fastest batter to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket, achieving the milestone in his 89th innings and surpassing former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist’s record of 130 innings.
Devdutt Padikkal contributed 44 after scoring 167 in India’s first innings, while Sri Lankan seamer Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers with 4-31.
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a difficult start when opener Nishan Madushka Fernando was dismissed for six after edging a hook off Mohammed Siraj to fine leg.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara, making his debut as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal, was dismissed for a golden duck after being trapped lbw by Suthar.
Chandimal had been ruled out for the remainder of the match after suffering a head injury while fielding.
Prasidh Krishna then removed Kamindu Mendis for two before Suthar dismissed Lahiru Igalagamage for 16, with Dhruv Jurel taking a low catch at close range.
Sri Lanka expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, believing the ball had touched the ground before being caught. However, the TV umpire upheld the dismissal after reviewing several replays.
De Silva survived an earlier scare when he was caught at slip off a no-ball from Ravindra Jadeja while on seven.
De Silva and Dinusha then held firm to take Sri Lanka to the close without further loss.
Sri Lanka pace bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said conditions in Galle generally become more favourable for spin as a Test progresses, making batting increasingly difficult.
Suthar, meanwhile, said the pitch had offered only limited turn during the second innings but expected conditions to assist spinners further on the final day.
India had earlier posted 462 in their first innings, with Padikkal making 167 and KL Rahul scoring 82. Sri Lanka replied with 284, led by Dinusha’s 100 and Niroshan Dickwella’s 80.
With Sri Lanka on 84-4, the visitors remain in a strong position heading into the final day, but the weather could play a decisive role in the outcome.
