Rishabh Pant struck a blazing 66 off 69 balls as India were bowled out for 193 in their second innings on Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on 18 August, setting the hosts a daunting 372-run victory target. Tea was taken nearly 20 minutes ahead of schedule as India looked to give their bowlers maximum time to bowl Sri Lanka out.

India's Second Innings in Brief

KL Rahul contributed 35 and Devdutt Padikkal added a fluent 44, while Pant's aggressive half-century held the innings together. India had begun the day's play with a 178-run lead already secured, and the visitors batted with clear intent — seeking quick runs rather than consolidation.

The second-wicket partnership of 65 between Rahul and Padikkal steadied India after Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in the very first over by Asitha Fernando. Rahul played with patience before cutting loose with two sixes and as many fours. Padikkal, backing up his first-innings 167, looked composed at the crease, hitting six fours before falling to Prabath Jayasuriya, who also removed Rahul — caught at deep mid-off.

Pant Reaches 100 Test Sixes

Pant's knock was the centrepiece of India's second innings. Measured in the first session, he shifted gears dramatically after lunch — using sweeps and reverse sweeps to counter off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who had dismissed him in the first innings. He recorded his 20th Test half-century and, in the process, became the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket — the milestone arriving off a six to Lahiru Kumara that also brought up his fifty.

He was eventually dismissed for 66, top-edging a pull off a Kumara bouncer to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Sri Lanka's Bowling Effort

Fernando was the pick of Sri Lanka's attack, finishing with 4 for 31 with his lethal short-pitched deliveries accounting for several Indian batters. Jayasuriya claimed 3 for 43, Kumara took 2, and Nuwantha picked up 1. The short-ball ploy proved consistently effective — Ravindra Jadeja was caught at deep backward square leg pulling Kumara, and Manav Suthar edged a Fernando short delivery behind. Kuldeep Yadav fell to Jayasuriya for 5, caught at slip, before Prasidh Krishna was the last man out, bounced by Fernando for 2.

Notably, sub fielder Pasindu Sooriyabandara took a catch and later came on as a concussion substitute for the injured Dinesh Chandimal.

Match Situation Heading into the Final Session

Sri Lanka must now chase 372 in what remains of Day 4 and all of Day 5 — a target that no side has successfully chased at Galle in recent memory. India's spin attack, led by Jadeja and Kuldeep, will fancy their chances on a surface that has already shown significant turn. The result of this Test could set the tone for the remainder of the series.

Brief scores: India 462 & 193 (Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44; Asitha Fernando 4-31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-43) lead Sri Lanka 284 (Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80; Manav Suthar 4-76, Ravindra Jadeja 3-57) by 371 runs.