Galle : After setting Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs to win the first Test here, India’s path to victory became easier today as ‘Bapu’ Ravindra Jadeja produced a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 59.
Sri Lanka lost their fifth wicket at a score of 142. Dhananjaya and Sonal Dinusha had put together a valuable 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At the end of Tuesday’s fourth day of play, Sri Lanka were 84 for four. However, with the hosts losing two wickets in quick succession before lunch, the road to victory opened up for India.
After Jadeja dismissed Dhananjaya, Prasidh Krishna struck to claim the sixth wicket, dismissing Niroshan Dickwella. Sri Lanka were then reduced to 156 for six.
Earlier, both batters had been beaten repeatedly by Jadeja’s bowling. Captain Shubman Gill rotated all three spinners — Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav — before bringing Jadeja back into the attack, and the experienced all-rounder immediately delivered the breakthrough.
Sonal Dinusha had completed his half-century and was still at the crease.
The second ball of Jadeja’s over landed around middle and off stump. Dhananjaya got a top edge off his bat, sending the ball towards short fine leg, where Manav Suthar was stationed. Suthar made no mistake and completed a safe catch.
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