Sri Lanka, 18 August (Sports Desk)
India vs Sri Lanka — 1st Test, Day 4 Report
Galle International Stadium, Galle | August 18, 2026
Stumps — Day 4
India: 462 & 193 (48.5 overs)
Sri Lanka: 284 & 84/4 (34 overs)
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka need 288 more runs to win
India have put themselves in a commanding position heading into the final day. After being bowled out for 193 in their second innings, India set Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs. The hosts reached 84/4 at stumps, leaving them 288 runs short of victory with six wickets in hand.
India’s Second Innings — 193 All Out
India started Day 4 with the task of extending their already substantial first-innings advantage.
India had made 462 in their first innings and Sri Lanka replied with 284, giving India a 178-run first-innings lead. India then added 193, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target of 372.
The Indian innings lasted 48.5 overs, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers making regular breakthroughs. Despite losing wickets, India managed to build a target that has left Sri Lanka under considerable pressure.
watch….India Take Command in Galle, Lead Sri Lanka by 178 Runs
Rishabh Pant — Key Knock
Rishabh Pant scored 66, providing India with an important contribution in the second innings. His aggressive batting once again gave India momentum during a crucial stage of the innings.
Pant also created history during the match by becoming the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. He reached the landmark in his 51st Test, making him the fastest player to 100 Test sixes.
Target for Sri Lanka: 372
India’s overall advantage after two innings:
India 462 + 193 = 655 runs
Sri Lanka 284 + 84/4 = 368 runs
Sri Lanka therefore need 288 more runs to reach the target of 372.
Sri Lanka — 84/4 at Stumps
Sri Lanka’s chase began cautiously but India struck four times.
At the close of play:
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 31* | 73 |
| Sonal Dinusha | 25* | 36 |
The pair had added 37 runs from 74 balls for the fifth wicket and successfully survived the final stages of the day.
Dhananjaya de Silva — 31*
The Sri Lankan captain produced a patient innings, reaching 31 not out from 73 balls, including three fours. His job on the final morning will be enormous as Sri Lanka attempt to chase the remaining 288 runs.
Sonal Dinusha — 25*
After his excellent century in Sri Lanka’s first innings, Dinusha again showed composure. He finished Day 4 unbeaten on 25 from 36 balls, with four boundaries.
The two batters will resume on Day 5 with Sri Lanka needing 288 runs.
India Strike Four Times
India’s bowlers managed to remove four Sri Lankan batters during the chase.
The last wicket to fall was Lahiru Udara, who made 16 from 58 balls before being caught by Dhruv Jurel off Manav Suthar. Sri Lanka were reduced to 47/4 at that stage.
India then struggled to make another breakthrough as Dinusha and Dhananjaya settled in.
The final 10 overs produced 30 runs without a wicket, allowing Sri Lanka to reach 84/4 at stumps.
Dinesh Chandimal Injury
Sri Lanka suffered an injury concern during India’s second innings.
Dinesh Chandimal was taken to hospital for precautionary scans after hurting his shoulder and neck while attempting to stop a boundary. The injury occurred while he was fielding against KL Rahul.
The development could have an impact on Sri Lanka’s batting resources as the Test enters its decisive final day.
Match Situation
| Innings | Score |
|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India 1st innings | 462 all out |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 1st innings | 284 all out |
| 🇮🇳 India 2nd innings | 193 all out |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 2nd innings | 84/4 (34 overs) |
| 🎯 Target | 372 |
| 🇱🇰 Runs required | 288 |
| 🇱🇰 Wickets remaining | 6 |
Day 4 Highlights
- 🇮🇳 India were dismissed for 193 in their second innings.
- 🎯 Sri Lanka received a target of 372.
- 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka finished on 84/4.
- 🔥 Sri Lanka need 288 runs from the final day.
- ⭐ Dhananjaya de Silva 31*.
- ⭐ Sonal Dinusha 25*.
- 🤝 Dinusha and Dhananjaya added an unbeaten 37-run partnership.
- 🧤 Dhruv Jurel was involved in the dismissal of Lahiru Udara.
- 🏏 Rishabh Pant scored 66 for India.
- 🏆 Pant became the first Indian to reach 100 Test sixes and the fastest batter overall to the landmark.
- 🏥 Dinesh Chandimal underwent precautionary scans after a fielding injury.
- 🌙 Play ended early because of bad light, with Sri Lanka still 288 runs away.
What to Expect on Day 5
Sri Lanka’s equation is simple but extremely difficult: they need 288 runs with six wickets remaining.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha are currently the key pair. If India can break their partnership early, the pressure will immediately return to the Sri Lankan middle and lower order.
India, meanwhile, will be confident that their spinners can exploit the deteriorating Galle surface. The match situation strongly favours India: the live scorecard gives India a 92% win probability, compared with 7% for Sri Lanka and 1% for a draw.
Bottom Line
India remain firmly in control, but Sri Lanka have kept the Test alive. With 288 runs still required and six wickets in hand, the final day promises a fascinating battle between Sri Lanka’s resistance and India’s spin attack.
