India firmly established control over the first Test against
Sri Lanka in Galle, leaving the hosts trailing by 178 runs at the conclusion of
Day 3. After India posted a massive first-innings total of 462 in 116.4 overs,
their disciplined bowling unit bowled out Sri Lanka for 284 in 79.4 overs.
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| Image Credits: Cricinfo |
Sri Lanka’s reply got off to an immediate setback when opener Nishan Madushka Fernando was dismissed for a two-ball duck, caught by Devdutt Padikkal off Mohammed Siraj's sharp opening spell. Top-order stability proved elusive for the hosts as Lahiru Udara (27) and veteran Dinesh Chandimal (4) both fell to spinner Manav Suthar, leaving the middle order exposed early.
India’s spinners continued to dictate terms on the turning
Galle pitch. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav struck to remove Kamindu
Mendis for 14, while skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (21) provided brief resistance
before the remaining batting lineup caved under relentless pressure.
Holding a healthy 178-run lead after both teams completed their first innings, India heads into Day 4 in pole position. The Indian team management now holds the tactical upper hand—to set an unchaseable target on an increasingly spin-friendly surface. With two full days of play remaining, India is well-positioned to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
