India vs Sri Lanka Day 4: India laid the platform for a win in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, restricting the hosts to 84/4 at Stumps and setting a daunting target of 372 runs. Series 1-0: India needs 6 wickets on Day 5 to lead the series 1-0. Sri Lanka requires 288 runs.
India vs Sri Lanka: Session-by-Session Overview
Morning Session: Sri Lanka Responds with Quick Dismissals
India had established a strong 178-run lead in the first innings and were looking to increase their scoring rate to build an unassailable advantage. But Sri Lanka’s attack did not take long to retaliate. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a three-ball duck, nicking pacer Asitha Fernando to the wicketkeeper. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya immediately sent KL Rahul packing as he tried to play a big shot.
Captain Shubman Gill could only make 8 and was caught LBW by Jayasuriya. Devdutt Padikkal hit 167 in the first innings and then steadied the top order with a patient 44 off 75 balls before being removed by Jayasuriya via the DRS. India was 116 for four at lunch, with a lead of 294 runs.
Pant counterattacks as India crumbles in afternoon session.
India fought hard to get above the 350-run mark in the post-lunch session. Rishabh Pant, noted for his aggressive counterattack, struck 66 off 69 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) to add a huge advantage for India. But India’s bottom order disintegrated fast after Pant was hit while trying to pull Fernando. Asitha Fernando (4/31) bowled India out for 193 in exactly 48.5 overs, right on tea, sweeping through the tail. Sri Lanka set a target of 372 in the fourth innings, but the bounce and steep turn at Galle gave India a strong upper hand.
Evening Session: Suthar claims total Indian domination
Right from the start, Sri Lanka was under pressure from the Indian spin attack, chasing a record total of 372 on the ground with the greatest successful fourth-wicket chase of 342. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar continued his strong debut/series performance, taking 2/30. Suthar and the Indian attack cut through Sri Lanka’s top order in double quick time, reducing them to 48/4.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (31*) and first-innings centurion Sonal Dinusha (25*) grinded out an unbeaten 36-run stand to sail through to Stumps.
Heading to Day 5:
Pitch will favor the Indian spinners.
The spin bowling will hold the key to the outcome on Day 5 in Galle. The field surface is substantially worse, with sharp twists, uneven bounce, and a lot of damage along the bases, typical fourth-innings circumstances at this park. (Galle Test pitch rated as poor by ICC match referee, 2012)
India head into the last day with a massive tactical advantage, needing just six wickets to defend 288 runs. India, with the multi-pronged spin attack of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and left-armer Manav Suthar (who took 2/30 late on day four), can maintain the pressure from both ends.
Sri Lanka’s remaining hitters will have to be very careful with their feet and be very patient when the ball twists if they are to stay alive. The soft Kookaburra ball doesn’t help pacers much, and it’s primarily up to the slow bowlers on the last day to decide whether India wins or Sri Lanka clings on.
Shubman Gill praises Indian pacer Gurnoor Brar ahead of first test match
Last Updated on August 18, 2026 by Aditiya Sharma
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