Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Sri Lanka Need Record Chase After India Set 372
India and Sri Lanka are playing a Test cricket match in Galle.
India scored 462 runs in its first turn to bat.
Sri Lanka scored 284, so India gained a lead of 174 runs.
India then scored 193 more runs and gave Sri Lanka a target of 372.
Sri Lanka had scored 84 runs for the loss of four wickets by the end of the fourth day.
They need 288 more runs and have only six wickets left.
Sri Lanka has never successfully chased such a large target in Galle.
Its best chase at the ground was 268 runs against New Zealand in 2019.
Rishabh Pant also set a record by becoming the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
India were dismissed for 193 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a 372-run target in the first Test at Galle.
Sri Lanka ended the fourth day on 84/4, leaving them 288 runs short with six wickets remaining.
India had made 462 in their first innings, while Sri Lanka replied with 284 to concede a 174-run lead.
Rishabh Pant scored 66 off 69 balls and became the first Indian batter to hit 100 Test sixes.
Sri Lanka’s best successful chase at Galle is 268, while their highest overall Test chase is 388 in Colombo in 2017.
- Who
- The India and Sri Lanka cricket teams, with notable performances from Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Sonal Dinusha and Asitha Fernando.
- What
- India set Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs in the opening Test.
- When
- After the fourth day’s play, with Sri Lanka’s chase scheduled to continue on the fifth and final day.
- Where
- Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Sri Lanka must complete a record chase to win and take a 1-0 series lead, while India are seeking to secure the Test.
Sri Lanka’s Path to Victory
India’s Advantage
Size of the chase
Sri Lanka’s Path to Victory
Sri Lanka have previously completed a successful Test chase of 388 runs, so their history shows that a large chase is possible.
India’s Advantage
Sri Lanka need 288 more runs after reaching 84/4, and their best successful chase at Galle is 268 runs.
Home conditions
Sri Lanka’s Path to Victory
Sri Lanka are playing in front of home supporters at Galle and have experienced batters still available, including Sonal Dinusha and captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
India’s Advantage
Sri Lanka have already lost four wickets, leaving only six wickets to complete the chase.
Historical benchmarks
Sri Lanka’s Path to Victory
Sri Lanka could create a new record if they chase 372, surpassing their best fourth-innings effort at Galle.
India’s Advantage
The highest successful chase at Galle is reported as 344 by Pakistan in 2022, although one report lists that figure as 342; either mark is below India’s target.
- Victory target
- 372 runs
- Sri Lanka’s position
- 84/4 after 34 overs; 288 runs needed with six wickets remaining
- India first innings
- 462
- Sri Lanka first innings
- 284
- India second innings
- 193
- First-innings lead
- India led by 174 runs
- Sri Lanka’s best chase at Galle
- 268 against New Zealand in 2019
- Rishabh Pant’s record
- 66 off 69 balls; first Indian batter to reach 100 Test sixes
