India On Brink of Dominant Victory in Galle Test as Pant Reaches Historic Milestone
Galle, Sri Lanka – India stands poised for a commanding victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, thanks to a historic innings from Rishabh Pant and incisive bowling performances. The visitors, needing just six more wickets on Day Five, have set Sri Lanka an improbable target of 372 runs, consolidating their bid for a spot in the 2027 World Test Championship final.
The penultimate day of the Test was highlighted by a blistering half-century from wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who not only rescued India’s second innings but also etched his name in the record books. Pant became the first Indian and the fastest batter globally to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket, a testament to his aggressive and fearless approach. His impactful knock of 66 runs from just 69 balls, featuring eight fours and two audacious sixes, provided crucial impetus to India’s total. One particularly memorable shot saw him step out and dispatch pacer Lahiru Kumara for a six that sailed over wide long-off and landed on the road outside the stadium.
After declaring their second innings at 193, leaving Sri Lanka with a monumental chase, India’s bowlers wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Despite a brief rain delay, the pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, along with the dangerous left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, tore through the Sri Lankan top order. Suthar, in particular, capitalized on the spin-friendly conditions, claiming two wickets for 30 runs, bringing his match figures in his maiden away Test to an impressive six for 106.
Sri Lanka’s chase quickly unraveled, with the hosts slumping to 47 for four before finishing the day at a precarious 84 for four from 34 overs. Opener Nishan Madhushka Fernando (6 off 27 balls) fell victim to a well-executed short-ball trap from Siraj, caught by a diving Krishna at deep fine leg. Number three Pasindu Sooriyabandara, making his Test debut as a concussion substitute for the injured Dinesh Chandimal, suffered a first-ball duck, trapped lbw by Suthar’s arm ball. Prasidh Krishna, bowling with pace and verve, also chipped in with a wicket, having Kamindu Mendis (2) poke at an outside off delivery, edging it to KL Rahul at first slip.
The only bright spots for Sri Lanka came from captain Dhananjaya de Silva (31 not out off 73 balls) and first-innings centurion Sonal Dinusha (25 not out off 36 balls), who will resume their fight on the final day. However, their task remains daunting, with 288 runs still required for an improbable victory. The highest successful fourth-innings chase at Galle remains Pakistan’s 344 for six in 2022, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge facing Sri Lanka.
Earlier in India’s second innings, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for a three-ball duck, continuing a lean patch of form. Shubman Gill was dismissed cheaply by Prabath Jayasuriya for the second time in the match. However, first-innings centurion Devdutt Padikkal (44 off 75 balls) and KL Rahul (35 off 47 balls) provided valuable contributions, stabilizing the innings after early setbacks. Rahul, in particular, showcased aggressive intent, hitting two magnificent sixes off Jayasuriya before eventually holing out.
Sri Lanka’s primary wicket-takers were paceman Asitha Fernando, who claimed four for 31, and left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who finished with three for 43.
With India needing just six wickets to seal a dominant victory, and Sri Lanka facing an almost insurmountable run chase, all signs point to an Indian triumph on Day Five, further strengthening their position in the World Test Championship race.
