Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna led a disciplined Indian bowling effort on Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday, 18 August, reducing the hosts to 84/4 at stumps and leaving them needing an improbable 288 more runs to win. India, having set a target of 372, are firmly in control with six wickets in hand for the visitors to claim.

Key Bowling Performances

Suthar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing the day with figures of 2 for 30, while Prasidh Krishna was equally impressive, conceding just 13 runs for his wicket in a highly economical opening spell. Mohammed Siraj provided the first breakthrough in the seventh over, bouncing out Nishan Madushka (6 off 27 balls) who was caught at deep fine leg.

Suthar then removed concussion substitute and debutant Pasindu Sooriyabandara — who came in for the injured Dinesh Chandimal after the latter suffered a neck and shoulder injury — via a flighted delivery that struck the back leg. The original not-out decision was overturned on review. Sri Lanka slumped to 21/3 inside 11 overs.

Prasidh Krishna's Decisive Spell

Prasidh Krishna was exceptional in his first spell, conceding just nine runs in his opening five overs with two maidens. He removed Kamindu Mendis (2 off 12) in the 11th over with a back-of-a-length delivery that cramped the batter, who edged behind to KL Rahul. Notably, Ravindra Jadeja was unfortunate to see a chance go begging when he had Dhananjaya de Silva caught at slips in the 16th over, only for a no-ball to nullify the wicket.

Sri Lanka's Fightback at Stumps

A mini-partnership of 26 runs for the fourth wicket between Lahiru Udara (16 off 58 balls) and de Silva offered brief resistance, before Suthar returned in the 22nd over to end Udara's stay. The dismissal was contentious — wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel dived to palm the ball, and the third umpire ruled it out after declaring, “I can see fingers underneath.”

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva (31 not out off 73 balls) and Sonal Dinusha (25 not out off 36 balls) then shared an unbeaten 37-run stand for the fifth wicket to take Sri Lanka to stumps, though the deficit remains steep. There was a brief injury scare when Jurel was struck on the ankle attempting to evade a flick from Dinusha; Sarfaraz Khan took the field in his place temporarily.

India's Second Innings Sets Up the Chase

The day had begun with India batting for two sessions in their second innings, posting 193. Rishabh Pant played a stroke-filled 66 off 69 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal (44) and KL Rahul (35) contributed a second-wicket stand of 65 runs. Asitha Fernando was the standout Sri Lankan bowler with 4 for 31, while Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 3 for 43.

Match Situation and What's Next

India's overall lead stands at 655 runs across both innings combined, with Sri Lanka requiring 288 from their remaining six wickets on Day 5. With the pitch at Galle expected to offer increasing assistance to spin, India will look to Kuldeep Yadav — introduced only in the 29th over on Day 4 — alongside Suthar and Jadeja to wrap up the match. A series-opening win looks firmly within India's grasp.

Brief Scores: India 462 & 193 (Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44; Asitha Fernando 4-31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-43) lead Sri Lanka 284 & 84/4 in 34 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 31*, Sonal Dinusha 25*; Manav Suthar 2-30, Prasidh Krishna 1-13) by 288 runs.