India continued to dominate the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle as the hosts slumped to 90/5 at lunch on Day 3, still trailing India by 372 runs.
After India were bowled out for 462 early on Monday, Sri Lanka's top order struggled against a combination of disciplined pace bowling and India's spin attack. Mohammed Siraj provided an early breakthrough before Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav added to Sri Lanka's problems.
Ravindra Jadeja then delivered the final blow of the session, dismissing Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21 just before lunch.
INDIA BOWLERS KEEP SRI LANKA UNDER PRESSURE
India wasted little time after being bowled out for 462.
Mohammed Siraj struck with only his second delivery, removing Nishan Madhushka for a duck. Prasidh Krishna then kept the pressure on with pace and movement as Sri Lanka struggled to establish a partnership.
Manav Suthar made an immediate impact after being introduced into the attack. The left-arm spinner took a wicket with his first ball, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for four.
Suthar struck again soon after, removing opener Lahiru Udara for 27 and leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble at 53/3.
KULDEEP YADAV AND SUTHAR CAUSE MORE DAMAGE
Shubman Gill increasingly turned to spin as the Galle surface began offering grip and turn.
Kuldeep Yadav joined Suthar in the attack and quickly found assistance from the pitch. He dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 14 after India captain Gill completed a spectacular one-handed catch.
Gill's stunning effort at slip gave India their fourth wicket and further exposed Sri Lanka's fragile position.
With close catchers surrounding the bat, India's spinners continued to squeeze the Sri Lankan batters.
JADEJA DISMISSES SRI LANKA CAPTAIN BEFORE LUNCH
Ravindra Jadeja was introduced as India's third spin option alongside Suthar and Kuldeep.
The left-arm spinner eventually produced the crucial breakthrough just before lunch.
Dhananjaya de Silva, who had tried to steady Sri Lanka's innings, edged a delivery from Jadeja low towards the slip region. KL Rahul completed the catch inches above the ground, with a television review confirming that his fingers were underneath the ball.
Dhananjaya was dismissed for 21, leaving Sri Lanka five wickets down.
At lunch, Sri Lanka were 90/5 after 26.1 overs, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 13.
INDIA'S FIRST INNINGS ENDS AT 462
India had earlier completed their first innings on 462, with the final wicket falling shortly after play began on Day 3.
Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, scoring a superb 167 for his maiden Test century. KL Rahul contributed 82, while Dhruv Jurel made a valuable 51.
Sri Lanka's spinners fought back strongly on Day 2, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking four wickets and debutant Keshara Nuwantha claiming three.
WHAT INDIA NEED FROM HERE
India's immediate objective will be to bowl Sri Lanka out as cheaply as possible and put themselves in a position to enforce the follow-on.
With the Galle surface already offering assistance to the spinners, the performances of Suthar, Kuldeep and Jadeja could prove decisive.
However, rain remains an important factor. Weather interruptions have already affected the Test, and further delays could reduce India's available time to push for a result.
For now, though, India are firmly in control. Sri Lanka still trail by 372 runs and have only five wickets remaining in their first innings.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem