Galle, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s spinners tore through Sri Lanka’s top order as the hosts slumped to 99/5 at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Monday. Sri Lanka still trail India by 363 runs after the visitors were bowled out for 462 earlier in the morning.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar led the attack with 2/17, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja claimed a wicket each. Mohammed Siraj also struck with the new ball as India dominated a session in which six wickets fell.
India, resuming at 460/9, added just two runs before Asitha Fernando dismissed Prasidh Krishna to bring their innings to an end. India’s total was built around Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden Test century, a superb 167, and KL Rahul’s 82.
Siraj needed only two deliveries to make an impact in Sri Lanka’s reply, getting Nishan Madushka caught at first slip for a duck with an outswinger.
Suthar then produced an immediate breakthrough, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal with his first delivery after the batter edged the ball onto his glove, with Rishabh Pant completing the catch. The spinner struck again when Lahiru Udara, after making 27, mistimed a cut to backward point.
Sri Lanka were 53/3 when captain Shubman Gill produced a spectacular one-handed catch at short extra cover to dismiss Kamindu Mendis for 14 off Kuldeep’s bowling.
Jadeja added to Sri Lanka’s problems shortly before lunch, dismissing captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21 after the batter edged a delivery and KL Rahul took a low catch at first slip.
Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on eight, while Sonal Dinusha was not out on 13 at the interval. Sri Lanka face a daunting task to avoid being forced to follow on.
Brief Scores: India 462 in 116.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82; Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109, Keshara Nuwantha 3/175) lead Sri Lanka 99/5 in 28 overs (Lahiru Udara 27, Dhananjaya de Silva 21; Manav Suthar 2/17, Ravindra Jadeja 1/6) by 363 runs.
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