India took a commanding 178-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the first Test in Galle, bowling the hosts out for 284 despite Sonal Dinusha’s maiden century and Niroshan Dickwella’s fighting 80. Rain brought an early end to play, with India yet to begin their second innings as the match heads into its final two days.
Galle, Sri Lanka: India resumed Day 3 firmly in command after posting 462 in their first innings — Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 the standout contribution, supported by valuable contributions from KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel. The question heading into the day was how much of a fight Sri Lanka’s batting had left in it. For a long stretch of the middle session, the answer looked like: not much at all.
India’s bowlers made early inroads, working through the top order with the same discipline that had defined their batting effort a day earlier. Sri Lanka slumped to 90 for 5, in real danger of a total collapse and the follow-on becoming a genuine conversation. From there, though, the day changed shape entirely.
Dinusha and Dickwella’s 146-Run Rescue Act
Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella came together with their side staring down the barrel and produced exactly the kind of resistance a struggling batting order needs. The pair added 146 runs together, dragging Sri Lanka from the brink of embarrassment into genuinely respectable territory. Dinusha went to tea unbeaten on 88 before completing a maiden Test century in the final session — advancing down the track to whip one away to deep midwicket among the shots that carried him to three figures. Dickwella, playing the support role beautifully before eventually becoming the aggressor himself, made a fighting 80.
ALSO READ: Padikkal’s 167 and Jurel’s fifty power India to 460/9 on rain-hit day two
Their stand pushed Sri Lanka’s total from the low nineties past 240 before India’s spinners finally found the breakthroughs that mattered. Manav Suthar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4 for 76, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3 for 57 as the innings wound down. Dinusha was eventually dismissed after a review confirmed the decision against him, and the last few wickets fell in relatively quick succession as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in 79.4 overs.
A Piece of History for Jadeja
Amid the day’s cricket, Ravindra Jadeja reached a landmark that places him in rare company. With the wicket of Keshara Nuwantha, Jadeja became only the fourth all-rounder in Test history — and only the second Indian — to complete the double of 4,000 runs and 350 wickets, joining Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Daniel Vettori on that particular list. It was a fitting moment in a match where India’s all-round depth has been central to their control of proceedings.
Weather Has the Final Word
Sri Lanka were eventually all out for 284, handing India a first-innings lead of 178 — a position that leaves the tourists firmly in the ascendancy, even if there will be some disappointment in the India camp at not enforcing more pressure after reducing the hosts to 90 for 5. Dark clouds, strong winds and rain rolling in over Galle brought an early end to the day’s play, with groundstaff covering the outfield as the umpires called it a day before India could make meaningful progress in their second innings.
With two days of the Test remaining and both sides’ second innings still to unfold, there remains plenty of cricket left in Galle. India will resume at 9:45am IST on Tuesday, hoping the weather allows a full day’s play as they look to press home their advantage.
Scorecard (after Day 3)
India 1st innings: 462 all out — Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel with valuable contributions
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 284 all out (79.4 overs) — Sonal Dinusha 100 (maiden Test century), Niroshan Dickwella 80;
Manav Suthar 4/76, Ravindra Jadeja 3/57
India’s lead: 178 runs
Key stat: Ravindra Jadeja becomes only the fourth all-rounder in Test history (second Indian) to complete the double of 4,000 runs and 350 wickets, after Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Daniel Vettori.
Key partnership: Dinusha–Dickwella, 146 runs for the sixth wicket, rescuing Sri Lanka from 90/5.
Venue: Galle International Stadium | Match: 1st Test, August 15–19, 2026 | Test No.: 2630
Weather: Play ended early on Day 3 due to rain and poor light.
