Sri Lanka were left facing a daunting final-day challenge after India tightened their grip on the first Test at Galle, reducing the hosts to 84 for four at stumps on day four.

Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka still require another 288 runs on the final day, with captain Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 31 and Sonal Dinusha on 25.

The pair put together an unbroken stand to give Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope after India’s bowlers had made early inroads.

Sri Lanka’s chase began badly when Nishan Madushka Fernando fell for six, before debutant Pasindu Sooriyabandara was trapped lbw for a first-ball duck. Kamindu Mendis then departed for two, leaving Sri Lanka 21 for three.

Lahiru Udara Igalagamage battled for 16 before falling to Manav Suthar, leaving the hosts in deeper trouble at 47 for four.

However, Dhananjaya and Dinusha survived the remainder of the day, negotiating the Indian attack as bad light eventually brought an early end to play.

Earlier, India were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a target of 372.

Sri Lanka’s seamers produced a spirited performance after India had dominated the opening two days. Asitha Fernando was the star performer, claiming four for 31, while Lahiru Kumara took two for 28. Prabath Jayasuriya also claimed three wickets.

Rishabh Pant provided India with their biggest contribution in the second innings, smashing 66 off 69 balls with eight fours and two sixes. KL Rahul made 35 and Devdutt Padikkal 44, but Sri Lanka’s attack eventually wrapped up the innings in 48.5 overs.

Asitha was particularly impressive, striking repeatedly at the lower order and finishing with four wickets.

India had earlier piled up 462 in their first innings after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat.

Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, producing a magnificent 167 from 230 balls, while KL Rahul made 82. Dhruv Jurel added 51 and Rishabh Pant scored 39.

Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker was Prabath Jayasuriya, who finished with four for 109, while Keshara Nuwantha claimed three wickets on Test debut.

Sri Lanka responded with 284 in their first innings, with Sonal Dinusha producing a memorable maiden Test century.

Dinusha scored 100 from 168 balls, anchoring the innings after Sri Lanka had slipped to 90 for five. Niroshan Dickwella added a valuable 80, and the pair shared a 146-run partnership that briefly revived Sri Lanka’s hopes of staying in the contest.

Manav Suthar was India’s most successful bowler in that innings, taking four for 76, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed three wickets.

India’s second-innings 193 left Sri Lanka needing 372, and the hosts will now have to produce one of the finest fourth-innings chases in their Test history to deny India victory.

With 288 runs still required and six wickets remaining, the final day promises a fascinating contest between Sri Lanka’s resistance and India’s quest for the remaining wickets.

Chief scores

India 1st innings: 462
Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82, Dhruv Jurel 51, Rishabh Pant 39.
Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Keshara Nuwantha 3/175.

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 284
Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80, Lahiru Udara Igalagamage 27.
Manav Suthar 4/76, Ravindra Jadeja 3/57.

India 2nd innings: 193
Rishabh Pant 66, Devdutt Padikkal 44, KL Rahul 35.
Asitha Fernando 4/31, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/43, Lahiru Kumara 2/28.

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 84/4 (34 overs)
Dhananjaya de Silva 31*, Sonal Dinusha 25*.
Manav Suthar 2/30, Mohammed Siraj 1/11, Prasidh Krishna 1/13.

Target: 372
Sri Lanka need 288 runs with six wickets remaining.