India strengthened their position in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after bowling the hosts out for 284 on Day 3. The visitors secured a commanding 178-run first-innings lead before rain and poor weather forced an early end to play.
India had earlier been bowled out for 462, with Devdutt Padikkal leading the batting effort with a superb 167. KL Rahul contributed 82, while Dhruv Jurel scored a valuable 51.
Sri Lanka began their innings poorly, losing five wickets for just 90 runs. Mohammed Siraj struck with the second ball of the innings, while Manav Suthar made an immediate impact by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal with his first delivery.
Kuldeep Yadav and Suthar continued to trouble the Sri Lankan batters, with captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis among the wickets to fall.
However, Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha produced a remarkable fightback. The pair added 146 runs for the sixth wicket, rescuing Sri Lanka from a difficult position. Dickwella scored 80, while Dinusha completed his maiden Test century with a determined 100.
India eventually broke the partnership, with Prasidh Krishna dismissing Dickwella before Jadeja removed Keshara Nuwantha and Dinusha. Jadeja’s second wicket also took him to 350 Test wickets, making him only the fifth Indian bowler to reach the milestone.
Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 284. Rain then prevented India from beginning their second innings, bringing an early end to Day 3.
India remain firmly in control, with a 178-run lead and two full days remaining.
