India inched closer to victory in the opening Test against Sri Lanka with two quick wickets to leave the hosts in trouble at 175 for six at lunch on the fifth and final day of the match at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.
Set a victory target of 372, Sri Lanka were going steady until Ravindra Jadeja broke the home team’s resistance with the vital wicket of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (59) to put India in command.
This was after Dhananjaya defied the visiting bowlers with a partnership of 95 runs with Sonal Dinusha. Niroshan Dickwella then fell to a reckless shot after exchanging some words with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
At the lunch break, Sri Lanka were 197 runs behind the target, with Dinusha (65) and Keshara Nuwantha (8) at the crease.
Sri Lanka resumed the final day’s play 288 runs in arrears.
Brief Scores:
India 462 all out and 193 all out
Sri Lanka 284 and 175/6 in 67 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 59, Sonal Dinusha 65 batting; Manav Suthar 2/46).
-PTI
