India need six wickets in Galle after Sri Lanka closed Day 4 at 84 for 4, chasing 372

Day 4 in Galle finally gave this Test a shape. India were bowled out for 193 in 48.5 overs, set Sri Lanka 372, then took four wickets before bad light. The hosts closed on 84 for 4, with Dhananjaya de Silva 31 not out and Sonal Dinusha, the first-innings centurion, 25 not out. They still need 288. India need six wickets. Wednesday is the last day, and rain is still in the forecast.

Fourteen wickets fell, and eight of them went to seamers, which is not the Galle pamphlet. Asitha Fernando took 4 for 31. Prabath Jayasuriya had 3 for 43. Lahiru Kumara took 2 for 28, including Rishabh Pant. India had begun the morning 178 ahead after bowling Sri Lanka out for 284 on Day 3. The plan was quick runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind off the third ball for a duck. Devdutt Padikkal made 44. Pant made 66 off 69, with eight fours and two sixes, and became the first Indian to 100 sixes in Tests. After he went, India lost their last four wickets for 19.

Sri Lanka's chase was delayed by a shower, then unravelled. Mohammed Siraj bounced out Nishan Madushka. Manav Suthar had Lahiru Udara caught and trapped concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara first ball. Dinesh Chandimal had gone off after hurting a shoulder diving on the boundary. Prasidh Krishna had Kamindu Mendis caught at slip, and Sri Lanka were 47 for 4 before de Silva and Dinusha batted out the hour.

A 372 chase in Galle, last day, four down overnight, is the position India came here to manufacture. They almost gave it away by getting bundled out themselves. Padikkal said they had to put pressure back on with quick runs. The shots did not always match the brief. The pitch, he added, is now turning from the stumps rather than from fourth stump, which is what you want if you are bowling last.

Rain stole time on Day 3. Light stole the last hour on Day 4. A draw is still alive if the weather helps the two not-outs. A win is still likelier if India get even a session.

Six hours are scheduled on Wednesday. Sri Lanka have to bat most of them, or the clouds have to. India will come with Siraj, Suthar, Prasidh and Jadeja in pairs again. If they take those six, Galle is 1-0. If they do not, this match will have been about the weather after all.