India hold the advantage despite Dinusha’s landmark century

Sonal Dinusha’s maiden Test hundred gave Sri Lanka’s resistance on Day 3 of the first Test in Galle a memorable finish, but India remained firmly in control after dismissing the hosts for 284. Sri Lanka still trail by 178 runs after India posted 462 in their first innings.

Dinusha led Sri Lanka’s fightback from 90 for 5, first adding 39 with Dhananjaya de Silva before sharing a crucial 146-run sixth-wicket stand with Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwella attacked the Indian spinners with a brisk 80, while Dinusha played the patient anchor role and eventually reached three figures for the first time in Test cricket.

Sixth-wicket stand revives Sri Lanka

The partnership began shortly before lunch and survived a series of chances and near-misses. India lost two reviews against Dickwella, while KL Rahul put down difficult opportunities at slip. Dinusha grew increasingly confident, slog-sweeping both Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja for sixes as the pair brought up Sri Lanka’s second 100-plus sixth-wicket stand against India after the loss of the top five wickets before the score reached 100.

The stand finally ended when Dickwella edged Prasidh Krishna behind shortly after the final session began. Keshara Nuwantha was reprieved when Rahul dropped another slip chance, but Jadeja soon claimed his 350th Test wicket when Nuwantha’s shot ballooned off a fielder at silly point towards Shubman Gill.

India’s spinners finish the job

Prabath Jayasuriya stayed with Dinusha long enough to ensure Sri Lanka avoided the follow-on, allowing the centurion to complete her landmark innings. India then wrapped up the innings soon afterwards, with deteriorating light and covers being brought on before the scheduled close.

Suthar continued his impressive start to Test cricket with 4 for 76, while Jadeja finished with 3 for 57. Jadeja had earlier taken his 349th wicket when KL Rahul caught Dhananjaya de Silva at first slip.

India had added only two runs to their overnight 460 for 9 before Asitha Fernando dismissed Prasidh Krishna. Mohammed Siraj and Suthar then tore into Sri Lanka’s top order: Nishan Fernando edged Siraj to first slip, and Suthar struck with his first delivery to remove Dinesh Chandimal.

Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis briefly counterattacked, but Suthar dismissed Udara and Shubman Gill produced a stunning one-handed catch at short extra cover to end Kamindu’s innings for 14. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 284, leaving India with a substantial first-innings advantage.

Brief scores: India 462 (Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82) lead Sri Lanka 284 (Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80; Manav Suthar 4-76, Ravindra Jadeja 3-57) by 178 runs.

Published: 2025-02-14 00:00:00