IND Vs SL Live Score, 1st Test Day 5: Ravindra Jadeja Gives Much Wanted Breakthrough | Sri Lanka - 143/5 (56)

India finally struck gold to snap a stubborn 95-run stand as Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva for 59 off 151 balls.

Bowling a full delivery on the pads, Jadeja extracted extra bounce and sharp turn as the Sri Lankan skipper attempted a sweep shot. Dhananjaya could only manage a top edge, sending the ball looping comfortably to Manav Suthar at short fine leg. A relieved Indian team erupted in celebration, knowing the crucial breakthrough keeps their hopes alive on a tense final day.

Sri Lanka's batters put on a disciplined display through the opening 17 overs of the final day in Galle, adding 54 runs without losing a wicket. India opened the attack with Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, but the duo maintained extreme patience against tight lines.

The closest India came to a breakthrough arrived in the 43rd over via a couple of confident appeals, though the hosts successfully weathered the threat. Both Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha have since brought up their fifties, aided by a pitch offering little alarming movement off the deck. With the partnership flourishing, the big question remains whether the pair can sustain this resilience and keep the Indian bowling attack at bay through the afternoon.

Ten overs have been bowled on day five so far as Ravindra Jadeja continues to probe from round the wicket, bringing up a hard-fought fifty-run partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva. The morning session has seen lively action, highlighted by an overpitched delivery that Dinusha eased down to long-on for a single, followed immediately by four byes after sharp spin from a length beat both the batter's glance and the wicketkeeper. India also half-heartedly explored a review after a confident caught-behind appeal down leg as Dinusha attempted a sweep, though replays quickly confirmed no glove was involved, leaving the hosts searching for a breakthrough as the Lankan pair digs in.

India's late-innings collapse—losing their final wickets for just 19 runs in 8.2 overs after Rishabh Pant's dismissal—leaves them defending 288 runs with Sri Lanka needing six wickets on a steamy, unpredictable fifth morning in Galle. As Ravindra Jadeja opens the bowling from round the wicket with close-in catching fielders, the pitch is presenting a unique challenge with dangerous indentations causing variable bounce and pace, alongside surprising effectiveness from the fast bowlers. While Sri Lanka has plenty of time and overs available to attempt a survival act, the opening half-hour will prove critical as the hosts look to navigate the tricky conditions and push the contest deep into the afternoon session.

As the first Test in Galle heads into Day 5, the left-arm spin duo of Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja have emerged as the most lethal weapons in India's armor, capitalizing perfectly on a wearing surface where finger spin is dictating terms. Suthar has been exceptional with his sharp turn and heavy drift—generating a match-high percentage of big-turn deliveries—while combining deadly variations with the unmatched control and world-class consistency of the veteran Jadeja, who recently notched up his 350th Test wicket. Together, the pair wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka's first innings by combining for 7 wickets—with Suthar claiming 4/76 and Jadeja chipping in with 3 scalps—to help bowl the hosts out. With the Galle pitch increasingly favoring turn and variable bounce, this spin combination poses a severe, match-winning threat to Sri Lanka’s remaining batters as India hunts down the final six wickets.

Devdutt Padikkal delivered a standout performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, anchoring India's batting with a magnificent maiden Test century. Stepping in at number three in place of the injured Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal played the headline knock of India's first innings by scoring a brilliant 167 to help drive the visitors to a formidable total of 462. He followed up that monumental effort in the second innings with a solid 44 off 75 balls, further cementing his value and making a strong case for himself in the Test squad.

During Day 4 of the first Test against India in Galle, Sri Lanka veteran Dinesh Chandimal suffered a heavy fall on his neck and shoulder while diving to save a boundary. Although precautionary hospital scans cleared him of any fractures or internal injuries, he failed subsequent on-field concussion assessments administered by the team doctor and physiotherapist. Consequently, the match referee approved Pasindu Sooriyabandara to replace him as a like-for-like concussion substitute, allowing Sooriyabandara to take his place in the squad.

India stands firmly on the brink of victory, requiring just six wickets on the final day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. Holding a commanding first-innings cushion, the visitors were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, setting the hosts a daunting target of 372 runs to win. Despite a late-order wobble, India's total was bolstered by solid contributions from KL Rahul (35) and Devdutt Padikkal (44), alongside an aggressive, momentum-shifting knock from Rishabh Pant.

During his electrifying 53-ball 66, Pant etched his name into the record books by smashing his 100th Test six. This milestone made him the first Indian batter and the fastest overall in terms of matches and innings to reach the century mark of maximums in the format. His fearless strokeplay ensured Sri Lanka faced a steep mountain to climb under immense pressure.

Armed with a massive target, the Indian bowling unit capitalized on fading light and testing conditions to dismantle the Sri Lankan top order. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar continued his brilliant form by picking up two crucial wickets, while pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna chipped in with one scalp each. The quick breakthroughs left the hosts reeling at 84/4 after 34 overs.

As play concluded for Day 4, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha are left holding the fort at the crease, needing another 288 runs. However, with spin-friendly tracks at Galle offering variable bounce and turn, India remains heavily favored to wrap up the remaining wickets on Day 5 and secure a 1-0 lead in the series.

Hello, we’re back with another live blog! It’s India vs Sri Lanka, Day 5, so stay tuned for all the live updates.