India strengthened their grip on the opening Test after being bowled out for 193 in their second innings, setting hosts Sri Lanka a daunting 372-run target for victory on Tuesday (August 18, 2026).

India, who had posted 462 in their first innings, had dismissed Sri Lanka for 284 on Monday (August 17) to secure a crucial 174-run lead. Returning to the crease on Tuesday (August 18), the visitors adopted an aggressive approach, looking to build a total beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.

Opener KL Rahul (35) and Devdutt Padikkal (44) steadied the innings with a 64-run partnership as India reached 116 for 4 at lunch.

Rishabh Pant then took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing a 69-ball 66 that included two sixes. His innings also saw him become the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket and the fastest player in the world to reach the milestone.

India suffered an early setback when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Asitha Fernando off the third ball of the opening over. Mr. Rahul and Mr. Padikkal, however, negotiated the early movement and rebuilt the innings.

Mr. Rahul was eventually dismissed as the second wicket to fall, before Shubman Gill (8) departed cheaply, with Prabath Jayasuriya (3/43) claiming both wickets.

India were bowled out for 462 in their first innings on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Monday (August 17, 2026).

Devdutt Padikkal top-scored for India with a mammoth knock of 167 that ended on Sunday (August 16).

Resuming their innings at 460 for nine, India managed to add just two runs before the final wicket fell, with Asitha Fernando dismissing Prasidh Krishna.

For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/109. Keshara Nuwantha claimed 3/175, while Fernando took 2/63.

India’s total was built around Padikkal’s outstanding knock of 167, which anchored their first-innings effort.

On the second day of the Test, the first two sessions were washed out due by incessant rain.