Sizzling Pant blitz powers India to edge of win over SL: 1st Test, Day 4 (Galle)

India moved to the brink of victory after setting Sri Lanka a formidable 372-run target.

India were bowled out for 193, with Rishabh Pant providing the decisive acceleration with an excellent 66 off 69 balls.

Devdutt Padikkal added 44 and KL Rahul 35. Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando took 4/31 and Prabath Jayasuriya 3/43, but India still established a commanding position.

Sri Lanka’s chase quickly faltered as India reduced them to 84/4 from 34 overs at stumps, leaving the hosts needing another 288 runs with six wickets in hand. Manav Suthar was the key destroyer with 2/30, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna also struck.

Dhananjaya de Silva (31) and Sonal Dinusha (25)** survived to the close, but India need only six wickets on Day 5 to complete a comprehensive victory.

Sri Lanka 284 and 84 for 4 (de Silva 31*, Suthar 2-30, Siraj 1-11) need 288 runs to beat India 462 and 193 (Pant 66, Padikkal 44, Asitha 4-41).

Aug 2026.