India's Spinners Dominate Day 3 in Galle, Reduce Sri Lanka to 99/5 at Lunch
India asserted a commanding position in the first Test, taking five Sri Lankan wickets before lunch to build on their first innings total of 462.
The story
Day three of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium saw India's bowlers take charge after wrapping up their first innings. Resuming at 460/9, India added two more runs before being bowled out for 462, with Devdutt Padikkal's impressive 167 anchoring their total. Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4/109.
In response, Sri Lanka's top order struggled against India's attack. Mohammed Siraj made an early breakthrough, dismissing Nishan Fernando for a duck in the opening over. Left-arm orthodox bowler Manav Suthar then claimed two crucial wickets, removing Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Udara, reducing Sri Lanka to 53/3. Kuldeep Yadav added to the pressure, taking a wicket to make it 59/4, while Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva just before lunch. At the interval, Sri Lanka were 99/5, trailing India by 363 runs, with Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella at the crease.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka vs India, 1st Test, Day 3 | Test | Sri Lanka 99/5 (28 overs) at lunch, trailing India (462 all out) by 363 runs | Manav Suthar 2/17 |
Series in play
India tour of Sri Lanka 2026. 1st Test, Day 3, India leads by 363 runs with 5 Sri Lankan wickets remaining in their first innings
Tables that matter
ICC World Test Championship (2025-27 cycle)
Position: Australia (1st, 77.78%), South Africa (2nd, 75.00%), New Zealand (3rd, 72.22%), Bangladesh (4th, 66.67%), India (5th, 48.15%)
Note: Bangladesh's recent win over Australia has significantly boosted their position, while Australia's lead at the top has shrunk.
What we'll be watching
- Day 4 of the 1st Test between Sri Lanka and India at Galle International Stadium on August 18th, starting at 04:30 UTC.
- Bulgaria vs Isle of Man in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C, 10th Match, on August 17th at 08:00 UTC.
- Germany vs Israel in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C, 9th Match, on August 17th at 08:00 UTC.
- Greece vs Portugal in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C, 11th Match, on August 17th at 13:00 UTC.
- Luxembourg vs Spain in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C, 12th Match, on August 17th at 13:00 UTC.
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