India Maintains Advantage Despite Sri Lanka's Resilience in Galle Test

In the ongoing Galle Test, India continues to lead despite a spirited fightback from Sri Lanka, who took crucial wickets during the first session of Day 4. With Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel at the crease, India stands at 116 for 4, leading by 294 runs. Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha scored a maiden century, but the team fell short in their first innings. Read on for a detailed recap of the match's key moments and performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 18, 2026, 13:03 IST

India Extends Lead Amid Sri Lankan Fightback

On the fourth day of the Galle Test, India maintained a substantial lead, although Sri Lanka fought back by taking regular wickets. At the end of the first session, India stood at 116 for 4, with Rishabh Pant (21*) and Dhruv Jurel (5*) remaining not out. India leads by 294 runs.

Sri Lanka Chip Away with Wickets

India's innings began poorly as Asitha Fernando dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck, caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella in the very first over, leaving India at 0 for 1.

KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then formed a partnership, guiding India to 40 runs by the 10-over mark, with Padikkal hitting some boundaries against the pace attack. Rahul also displayed aggression, hitting sixes off Keshara Nuwantha and Prabath Jayasuriya, helping India reach 50 runs in 12.3 overs.

Prabath Jayasuriya broke the 65-run partnership by dismissing KL Rahul, who scored 35 runs off 47 balls, including two fours and two sixes, leaving India at 65 for 2.

India faced further trouble when Prabath also took out skipper Shubman Gill for just eight runs off 20 balls, bringing the score to 81 for 3.

Padikkal and Pant continued to push the score, reaching the 100-run mark in 25.5 overs, with Pant hitting a four against Nuwantha. However, Nuwantha ended another promising partnership by trapping Padikkal LBW for 44 runs off 75 balls, which included six fours, leaving India at 111 for 4.

Pant and Dhruv Jurel concluded a lively first session for India.

First Innings Recap: Dinusha's Maiden Ton

Despite Sonal Dinusha achieving his maiden Test century on Day 3, Sri Lanka could only muster 284 runs in their first innings in response to India's 462, resulting in a significant lead of 178 runs for the Shubman Gill-led team.

Dinusha and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella formed a solid partnership, adding 146 runs for the sixth wicket and frustrating Indian bowlers. However, Prasidh Krishna dismissed Dickwella for 80 runs in the 62nd over. Dinusha managed to secure his century, but Suthar (4/76) and Jadeja (3/57) restricted Sri Lanka from scoring more.

Brief Scores: India: 464 and 116/4 (Devdutt Padikkal 44, KL Rahul 35, Prabath Jayasuriya 2/42); Sri Lanka: 284 (Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80, Manav Suthar 4/76).