India in charge despite Dinushau's hundred

Sri Lanka ​trail by ​178 runs after being bowled out for 284

GALLE: Sonal Dinusha's maiden test hundred kept Sri Lanka afloat, but India remained firmly in command after day three of the ‌opening Test between the neighbours ⁠in ​Galle on Monday. Replying to India's 462, Sri Lanka were ​bowled out for 284 ‌despite a spirited sixth-wicket partnership ​of 146 between Dinusha (100) and Niroshan Dickwella (80).

India could not add to their first-innings lead of 178 as dark clouds and the possibility of a storm ⁠prompted an early end to the day three action.

Earlier, Sri Lanka needed ‌only four balls to take India's final first-innings wicket, but soon found themselves in deep trouble after losing half of their side during the morning session. Mohammed Siraj opened the ⁠floodgates by dismissing Nishan Fernando for a second-ball ⁠duck before India's ​three-pronged spin attack ‌took control. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (4-76) struck with his first delivery as Dinesh Chandimal (4) edged behind. Lahiru Udara (27) struck six fours before slicing Suthar to backward point. Shubman Gill then produced a stunning diving catch at extra cover, leaping to his left to send back Kamindu Mendis (14) off Kuldeep Yadav.

The collapse became a full-blown crisis when ⁠Ravindra Jadeja had Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva caught at slip for 21, leaving the ⁠hosts reeling at 90-5. Dickwella and Dinusha, however, mounted a defiant fight-back that frustrated India through the afternoon.

Playing his first test in three years, Dickwella was given a reprieve on 20 when KL Rahul dropped him at slip. He made India pay, combining with Dinusha to deny the visitors a wicket throughout the second session. Dickwella eventually fell caught behind off Prasidh ⁠Krishna, but Dinusha could not be denied his hundred, ​which he brought up with a single off Suthar. His splendid innings, featuring four fours and two sixes, ended when Jadeja (3-57) trapped him lbw. Dinusha, convinced he had got an inside edge, immediately reviewed the decision. But UltraEdge ​showed no contact, and he walked off shaking ‌his head after a stellar innings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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