Sri Lanka produced a spirited fightback on the third day of the opening Test against India at the Galle International Stadium, but a dramatic batting collapse before and after a magnificent maiden Test century from Sonal Dinusha left the hosts trailing by 178 runs at stumps.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in just 79.4 overs after India had posted a formidable 462 in their first innings. The home side’s response appeared to be heading towards disaster at 99 for five before Dinusha and recalled wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella launched a remarkable recovery.
Dinusha stood tall for 100 from 168 balls, striking four fours and two sixes, while Dickwella made an aggressive 80 from 115 balls with seven boundaries.
Their 146-run sixth-wicket partnership transformed the innings and gave Sri Lanka genuine hope of closing the gap on India. However, once Dickwella fell for 80 at 236, Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 48 runs.
India’s spinners once again proved decisive, with Manav Suthar taking four wickets for 76 runs, Prabath Jayasuriya claiming four for 109 and Ravindra Jadeja finishing with three for 57.
The day began with India completing their first innings at 462, with Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 13. Devdutt Padikkal was the star of India’s enormous total, continuing his outstanding innings to make 167 from 230 deliveries, including 15 fours and a six.
KL Rahul contributed 82 from 175 balls, while Dhruv Jurel made a valuable 51. Rishabh Pant scored 39 and Shubman Gill 16.
For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya was the leading bowler with four wickets, while debutant Keshara Nuwantha impressed with three wickets for 175 runs. Asitha Fernando claimed two wickets.
Sri Lanka’s reply could hardly have started worse.
Nishan Madushka Fernando was dismissed for a duck in the second over, and the home side slipped to 27 for two when Dinesh Chandimal departed for four.
Lahiru Udara Igalagamage made a brisk 27 before falling with the score on 53, while Kamindu Mendis was dismissed for 14 to leave Sri Lanka 59 for four.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva then fell for 21, leaving the hosts in serious trouble at 90 for five.
With the pressure mounting, Dinusha and Dickwella changed the course of the innings.
The pair attacked when opportunities came their way and showed tremendous composure against India’s spin attack. They brought up their 50 partnership from 80 balls and then reached the century stand from 162 deliveries.
Dickwella reached his half-century from just 67 balls, while Dinusha followed with his fifty from 92 balls.
The partnership continued to grow and Sri Lanka reached 200 in the 55th over. By tea, the hosts had moved to 215 for five, with Dinusha unbeaten on 62 and Dickwella on 72.
Speaking about the partnership, Dinusha explained that the pair had decided to maintain an attacking mindset despite Sri Lanka being five wickets down.
“Dickwella and I put a 100-plus run partnership. We both talked about hitting every ball we could. Even though we had five wickets down, we all talked about hitting every ball we could.”
That approach helped Sri Lanka recover from what had looked like an almost hopeless position.
Dinusha also acknowledged the conditions at Galle, where India’s spinners were able to extract considerable assistance from the surface.
“Playing in Galle, the ball is spinning, which is something we should expect. Sweeping and playing on the…”
Sri Lanka eventually reached 250 before the partnership was broken.
Dickwella’s dismissal for 80, caught by Rishabh Pant off Prasidh Krishna, ended the 146-run stand and opened the door for India.
Keshara Nuwantha made only two before falling to Jadeja, while Jayasuriya scored 10. Dinusha eventually reached his maiden Test hundred from 167 balls, becoming the major story of Sri Lanka’s innings.
But his resistance ended almost immediately. At 274, Dinusha was adjudged leg before wicket to Jadeja, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 only 10 balls later.
The dismissal left Dinusha stranded after a superb innings that combined patience with controlled aggression.
India’s bowlers had maintained pressure throughout the innings. Suthar was particularly effective, claiming four wickets, while Jadeja took three. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picked up one each.
Sri Lanka now face a huge challenge heading into the fourth day. They trail by 178 runs and will need a major effort from their bowlers to prevent India from building an overwhelming lead.
India, meanwhile, are firmly in command after three days. Their massive first-innings total, backed by Padikkal’s 167 and Rahul’s 82, has put them in a powerful position.
For Sri Lanka, however, the day will be remembered for Dinusha’s breakthrough century and the extraordinary partnership with Dickwella that briefly revived the home side’s hopes.
Stumps, Day 3: India 462; Sri Lanka 284 (79.4 overs). Sri Lanka trail by 178 runs.
Sri Lanka: Sonal Dinusha 100, Niroshan Dickwella 80, Lahiru Udara Igalagamage 27, Dhananjaya de Silva 21.
India bowling: Manav Suthar 4/76, Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Ravindra Jadeja 3/57.
India first innings: Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82, Dhruv Jurel 51.
Play resumes at 9.45am on Tuesday, with India in complete control but Sri Lanka still searching for a way back into the Test.
