Overview
- India were bowled out for 462 in their first innings on Monday after adding two runs on the third day, with Devdutt Padikkal top-scoring with a marathon 167.
- Sri Lanka’s spinners engineered the late comeback, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking four wickets and debutant Keshara Nuwantha claiming three to remove several set Indian batters.
- Heavy rain washed out large parts of Day 2 and reduced available overs, forcing compressed sessions that helped Sri Lanka regain momentum after India reached 288/2 overnight.
- KL Rahul returned after retiring hurt but fell for 82, Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 39, and Dhruv Jurel provided late-order impetus with a quick fifty that steadied India during the collapse.
- With Sri Lanka to bat next, the Galle surface traditionally deteriorates for batters as a Test progresses so early runs matter and the lost time makes the toss and spin bowling decisive for the match outcome.