Suthar, Prasidh Put India on Brink of Victory in Galle Test
GALLE, Sri Lanka — India moved within six wickets of victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka after a disciplined bowling performance left the hosts struggling at 84/4 at stumps on Day 4 in Galle.
Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka still need 288 runs after Manav Suthar took two wickets and Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj claimed one each.
Sri Lanka slipped to 21/3 after losing Nishan Madushka for six, Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck and Kamindu Mendis for two.
Siraj made the first breakthrough in the seventh over when Madushka was caught at deep fine leg. Suthar then removed concussion substitute and debutant Sooriyabandara, who had replaced the injured Dinesh Chandimal.
India successfully reviewed the original not-out decision after Suthar trapped Sooriyabandara on the back leg with a flighted delivery.
Prasidh struck in the 11th over, removing Kamindu with a back-of-a-length delivery that produced an edge behind to KL Rahul.
Lahiru Udara and captain Dhananjaya de Silva briefly steadied Sri Lanka with a 26-run partnership before Suthar returned to dismiss Udara for 16.
Udara edged a fuller delivery to Dhruv Jurel, who dived forward to take a low catch. The decision was referred to the third umpire, who ruled that Jurel had his fingers underneath the ball.
De Silva survived another scare when Ravindra Jadeja appeared to have him caught at slip, only for the delivery to be ruled a no-ball.
De Silva remained unbeaten on 31 at stumps alongside Sonal Dinusha, who made 25 not out. The pair added an unbeaten 37 runs for the fifth wicket.
India suffered a minor injury concern when Jurel was struck on the ankle while trying to avoid a shot from Dinusha. He left the field in pain and was replaced by Sarfaraz Khan.
Earlier, India scored 193 in their second innings after beginning the day with the bat. Rishabh Pant led the way with an aggressive 66 off 69 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal made 44 and KL Rahul scored 35.
Rahul and Padikkal shared a 65-run partnership for the second wicket. Asitha Fernando took 4/31 for Sri Lanka, while Prabath Jayasuriya finished with 3/43.
India had made 462 in their first innings before dismissing Sri Lanka for 284.
Brief scores: India 462 and 193 (Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44; Asitha Fernando 4/31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/43) lead Sri Lanka 284 and 84/4 in 34 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 31 not out, Sonal Dinusha 25 not out; Manav Suthar 2/30, Prasidh Krishna 1/13) by 288 runs. (Source: IANS)
