Ravindra’s Heroics Give New Zealand a Fighting Edge in Sri Lanka Test
Ravindra’s Heroics Give New Zealand a Fighting Edge in Sri Lanka Test: Sri Lanka edged closer to a commanding victory over New Zealand in the opening test at Galle, even as Rachin Ravindra’s gritty unbeaten 91 held off a complete collapse for the visitors on day four. Chasing a target of 275, New Zealand found themselves struggling at 207-8 by stumps, still requiring 68 runs to pull off an unlikely win.
Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya (3-66) and Romesh Mendis (3-83) proved too hot to handle for New Zealand’s batting lineup. The pair wreaked havoc on a turning Galle pitch, taking critical wickets at regular intervals, stifling any momentum the Kiwis tried to build.
Ravindra, however, remained resolute. The left-hander stood firm in the face of relentless spin, crafting a valiant 91, which included nine boundaries and a towering six. His patient knock kept New Zealand’s hopes alive, but with only two wickets left, the task ahead seems daunting. Ajaz Patel, Ravindra’s partner at stumps, had yet to score after facing 15 deliveries.
Sri Lanka had started day four with a steady position at 237-4 but quickly encountered their own struggles. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who would go on to claim remarkable figures of 6-90, was instrumental in ripping through the lower order. Sri Lanka’s last six wickets added a meager 72 runs, with captain Dhananjaya de Silva (40) and veteran Angelo Mathews (50) being key contributors before falling to Patel’s magic.
The hosts were all out for 309, but their solid first-innings lead put them in the driver’s seat. Patel’s heroics were the sole bright spot for New Zealand in what was otherwise a challenging day dominated by Sri Lanka’s spinners.
New Zealand’s run chase was marred by inconsistency. Opener Devon Conway fell cheaply, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. While Tom Latham (28), Kane Williamson (30), and Tom Blundell (30) all got starts, none of them could push on to build a big innings. Every partnership that showed promise was cut short, with Sri Lanka’s spinners capitalizing on any lapse in concentration.
The match is now finely poised heading into the final day. Although New Zealand’s target of 275 is not beyond their reach, Sri Lanka will be confident of sealing victory on a turning pitch that will only get trickier to bat on as day five progresses. The fate of the match rests heavily on whether Ravindra can shepherd the tail and produce a final flourish, or if Sri Lanka’s spinners can finish what they started. A thrilling conclusion awaits at Galle.
