India lead against Sri Lanka as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant scored a record-breaking 66 runs for the visiting side. The match took place at the Galle International Stadium. Pant’s exceptional performance helped India to set a target of 372 runs.
By the end of the fourth day on August 18, India’s bowlers reduced Sri Lanka to 84 runs and 4 wickets. After which, the home team needs another 288 runs to win. India now requires only six more wickets on the final day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
Rishabh Pant Smashes World Record for Test Sixes
Rishabh Pant made history with his explosive second innings knock in Galle. He became the fastest player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket history, achieving it in just 89 innings. He comfortably broke the previous record set by Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, who took 130 innings to reach the same milestone.
Also, Pant hit the most sixes in the least number of balls. He took 4,918 balls to hit 100 sixes, while Gilchrist took 6,578 balls. Pant became only the fourth player to hit 100 Test sixes, joining Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Adam Gilchrist.
Pant played a 66-run knock off 69 balls that included eight boundaries and two sixes. He got his 100th six by stepping out and pulling a Lahiru Kumara delivery over the fine-leg boundary.
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India Sets a Formidable Target of 372
India began the fourth day with a 178-run lead from the first innings. However, the top order faced immediate trouble when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a duck off the third ball of the innings. Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul then steadied the innings with a 65-run partnership for the second wicket.
Padikkal, who scored 167 in the first innings, added another 44 runs in the second. With this performance, he became only the third Indian batter, after Rahul Dravid and Sanjay Manjrekar, to score over 200 runs in an away Test while batting at number three. KL Rahul also contributed 35 runs, including two sixes, before he was dismissed.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought back by taking wickets in the middle session. Asitha Fernando took four wickets for 31 runs for the hosts. India reached a total of 193 runs despite losing early wickets in the game.
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Sri Lanka Struggles After Concussion Injury
Sri Lanka lost veteran batter Dinesh Chandimal to an injury. Chandimal hurt his head while diving to stop a boundary during India’s innings. Doctors took him to the hospital for scans, and although he had no internal injuries, he failed the concussion protocols.
Consequently, Sri Lanka introduced Pasindu Sooriyabandara as a concussion substitute. Sooriyabandara made his Test debut midway through the game, but his first experience at the crease was difficult. Manav Suthar trapped him leg-before-wicket (LBW) for a golden duck on the very first ball he faced.
India’s Bowlers Dominate the Evening Session
Manav Suthar took two wickets for 30 runs. Prasidh Krishna also bowled a very effective spell. He bowled 33 out of 48 balls in the bouncer zone. Mohammed Siraj also took an early wicket with a surprise short ball.
A controversial moment occurred when Lahiru Udara was dismissed for 16 runs. Close-in fielder Dhruv Jurel took a low catch at gully, but the ball appeared to brush the grass. The third umpire watched several replays and decided that the catch was clean, leaving the Sri Lankan team very disappointed.
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The Final Day Outlook and Weather Threats
Sri Lanka finished the day at 84-4, still trailing India by 288 runs. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva is unbeaten on 31, while Sonal Dinusha has 25 runs. They must bat for at least 90 overs on the final day to earn a draw or reach the winning target.
Weather could be the biggest challenge for India. Forecasters predict rain on the fifth day, which might wash out some of the play. India now needs enough time to take the final six wickets.
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