India opener KL Rahul’s dropped catch early into the second session turned costly on Day 3 of the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka were struggling having lost half the side under 100 in the first session. India had the chance to bundle out the hosts cheaply but Rahul dropping a regulation catch of Niroshan Dickwella turned out to be costly as he went on to score 80 runs.
In the 36th over, Dickwella was batting on 20 when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar forced an outside edge off his bat. The ball bounced off Rahul’s finger and Dickwella got an early reprieve. Sri Lanka were 126/5 when his catch was dropped.
Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha made it count and dropped the anchor. Dickwella completed his 23rd Test half-century from 68 balls. A few overs later, Dinusha reached the milestone from 92 balls, his second in Tests. Sri Lanka did not lose a single wicket in the second session. They were 215/5 at tea break.
Early into the third session, Prasidh Krishna broke the partnership. Dickwella lost control and an outside edge off his bat carried to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. He scored 80 runs from 115 balls. Once again, he missed a chance to score his maiden Test century. He is the only batter with 23 fifties without a maiden Test ton. He has second-most runs in Test cricket without a Test century to his name.
Record partnership at home vs India
Dickwella and Dinusha shared a 146-run partnership, the second-highest for sixth wicket for Sri Lanka against India in Tests. The top spot belongs to Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene with a 351-run partnership against India in Ahmedabad in 2009. However, this is Sri Lanka's highest sixth-wicket partnership against India in home Tests. After Dickwella’s wicket, Sri Lanka were 236/6 in the 62nd over.
Sri Lanka stay in the game, Gill’s acrobatic catch
With two days remaining in the second Test, the game is only slightly in favour of the hosts. If rain plays spoilsport, it may not be an easy task to force a result.
Earlier in the day, skipper Shubman Gill took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his left at short extra cover to dismiss Kamindu Mendis off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling.