Padikkal falls short of half-century, Sri Lanka tighten grip as India look to increase lead

Sri Lanka fought back strongly on the fourth day of the first Cricket Test against India, reducing the visitors to 116/4 in their second innings at lunch on Tuesday.

Having bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 on the third day, India extended their overall lead to 284 runs with two sessions of play left in the day.

India suffered an early setback when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed off the third ball of the innings. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then steadied the innings, adding 65 runs for the second wicket.

Rahul scored 35 before being dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya. Padikkal, who had scored a century in the first innings, looked set to continue his good form but fell four runs short of a half-century.

With his score on 44, Keshara Nuwantha trapped Padikkal lbw to end his innings.

Skipper Shubman Gill once again failed to make an impact, departing for just eight runs. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were at the crease at lunch, unbeaten on 21 and five respectively.