Six Wickets From Glory: India Leave Sri Lanka Facing Impossible Odds In Galle After Day 4
India moved to the brink of victory on a dramatic Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, setting the hosts a 372-run target before reducing them to 84/4 at stumps. India were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, with Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 66 off 69 providing the crucial momentum after KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal added a valuable partnership. Sri Lanka’s chase quickly unravelled as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Nishan Madushka, while Manav Suthar removed Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Lahiru Udara, and Prasidh Krishna accounted for Kamindu Mendis. Dhananjaya de Silva remained unbeaten on 31 alongside Sonal Dinusha on 25, but the hosts still need 288 runs on Day 5. India require six wickets for a 1-0 lead, although rain could yet influence the thrilling finish.
Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha plays a shot as India's Dhruv Jurel tries to avoid the ball being hit during the day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Manav Suthar celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Udara during the day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Prasidh Krishna celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis during the day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Indian team members celebrate the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Pasindu Sooriyabandara during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Nishan Madushka during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando celebrates the dismissal of India's Manav Suthar during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Rishabh Pant walks off the field after losing his wicket during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Rishabh Pant loses his balance as he plays a shot during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Rishabh Pant, left, celebrates his fifty runs as batting partner India's Ravindra Jadeja watches during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Devdutt Padikkal walks off the field after losing his wicket during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya, right, celebrates the dismissal of India's captain Shubman Gill with teammate Niroshan Dickwella during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's Devdutt Padikkal plays a shot during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
India's KL Rahul plays a shot during day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando, left, celebrates taking the wicket of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during the day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Spectators cover themselves as match remains temporarily suspended amid rain on day four of the first test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Galle, Sri Lanka. | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak
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