Sri Lanka fought back with an unbeaten half-century from Niroshan Dickwella after India’s middle order laid the foundation for a commanding first-innings total of 462 in the opening Test at Galle.

Sri Lanka reached 167 for five till filing of this story on Monday, still 295 runs behind India, with Dickwella unbeaten on 50 and Sonal Dinusha on 38.

The hosts had been reduced to 90 for five but Dinusha and Dickwella launched a determined recovery, adding an unbroken 77 for the sixth wicket to keep Sri Lanka in the contest.

Dickwella reached his 50 from 67 balls, striking five fours, while Dinusha provided patient support as the pair negotiated India’s spin-heavy attack.

Sri Lanka had made a difficult start to their reply. Opener Nishan Madushka Fernando was dismissed for a duck by Mohammed Siraj in the second over before Lahiru Udara Igalagamage made 27. Dinesh Chandimal fell for four, while Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva also departed cheaply.

Manav Suthar was particularly effective for India, claiming two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took one each. Siraj provided the early breakthrough.

India had dominated the opening two days after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat.

They were 460 for nine at the close of play on Sunday, with Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on one. India completed their innings early on Monday, with Prasidh dismissed for two to finish on 462 in 116.4 overs.

Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, scoring 167 from 230 balls in an innings that anchored India’s huge total. His innings contained 15 fours and a six.

KL Rahul contributed 82, while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 32 and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant scored 39. Dhruv Jurel added a valuable 51 lower down the order, while Manav Suthar scored 24.

Rahul’s innings was notable for its unusual progression. He retired not out on 82 after India had reached 197 for one, before returning later in the innings and eventually being dismissed at 319.

For Sri Lanka, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 109 runs from 39 overs. Keshara Nuwantha claimed three wickets but conceded 175 runs from 39 overs, while Asitha Fernando took two.

Sri Lanka’s recovery on Monday was not without drama. India reviewed several decisions, including two against Dickwella, but the Sri Lankan wicket-keeper survived both. One review was struck down on umpire’s call.

The visitors were unable to break the sixth-wicket stand before the end of the session, leaving Sri Lanka with four wickets in hand and an opportunity to reduce the deficit substantially.

The match is part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and is being played over five days at Galle International Stadium.