SL 245-all out (74 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Lahiru Kumara walks in at No. 9 giving full indication that Herath might not come into bat. He has a huge swing against Jadeja but holes it high and is caught by Shami for a duck.

With Herath and Gunaratne not coming out to bat, it ends the match as India register an emphatic 304-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Both the spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja, finish with three wickets each as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 245, to lose the match inside four days.

Sri Lanka were completely outplayed in this match and the gulf between the two sides was quite big and it remains to be seen how they manage to better their showing in the second Test.

The pitch didn't hold any terrors on Day 4 and the Indian bowlers were made to work hard for their wickets.

Karunaratne shone with a gutsy knock of 97, while Dickwella played positively to stroke 67 but the rest of the batsmen again disappointed.

SL 240-7 (74 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Ashwin has settled into a good rhythm, especially against right-hander Perera. He gets one to turn and bounce as Perera has a poke but is beaten. He follows it up with a full toss as he tries the leg break and Perera flicks it to deep midwicket for one.

Jadeja has a huge appeal for LBW turned down against Perera but umpire turns it down and the Indians immediately take the DRS.

The ball is full and quick as Perera is quite late getting his bat down and is struck on the left foot. But the impact is outside the off-stump and the batsman is playing a shot which means the on-field umpire's not out decision stays.

Perera comes down the track and looks for a big hit down the ground but gets an inside edge.

Karunaratne misses out on a deserved century as he inside edges Ashwin back on to his stumps to be bowled for 97.

A couple of balls later Ashwin strikes again as Nuwan Pradeep is caught at leg slip by Kohli for a duck as Sri Lanka lose their seventh wicket.

SL 237-5 (70 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

That wicket makes Kohli bring spinners from both ends as Jadeja is called into the attack from the other end.

Dilruwan Perera, who was unbeaten on 90 in the first innings, makes a confident start as he steers Jadeja past point for a couple. The next ball is driven through the covers for a four and in the left-arm spinner's next over, Perera cuts a short ball for another boundary through the off-side.

With 20 overs left in the day, India need another three wickets to end the match with the injured Herath also not expected to bat along with Asila Gunaratne already ruled out of the match.

It remains to be seen if Sri Lanka survive Day 4 and their hopes of doing the same would rely majorly on Karunaratne, who has shown loads of patience to be unbeaten on 95.

Sri Lanka are 237 for five in 70 overs, with another 313 runs needed for victory.

SL 217-5 (62 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Ravindra Jadeja to start proceedings after the tea break. Karunaratne continues to be solid as he defends the first three balls before taking a single on the leg side and Dickwell also takes one off the next ball.

Umesh Yadav to bowl from the other end. Dickwella drives the fourth ball through the off-side for a couple to complete his fourth half-century in Test cricket, from 82 balls.

The next ball is pitched right up as Dickwella plays a nice drive through the covers for a boundary to raise Sri Lanka's 200, in the 59th over.

Dickwella looks to reverse sweep Jadeja but gets an under edge which luckily for him bounces over the stumps and goes fine on the leg side for a couple before he takes one. Karunaratne gets the last ball from Jadeja behind point for a couple.

Dickwella enjoying himself as he drives a wide delivery from Umesh on the up through the covers for a four. He plays another cracking boundary through the same region four balls later to raise the 100-run stand in some style from 159 balls as Sri Lanka continue to frustrate the Indian bowlers.

Ashwin comes back, in place of Jadeja. And he makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Dickwella, who persists with the sweep shot, having a go at one outside the off-stump but gets the top edge and is caught behind after an entertaining innings of 67, from 94 balls.

That is the first wicket for Ashwin in the second innings, in his 20th over.

TEA - DAY 4

SL 192-4 (57 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

With around 10 minutes left for the tea break, Dickwella and Karunaratne look to bat solidly and deny India any further wickets in the session.

Both Ashwin and Pandya have bowled well in tandem, with the latter creating a couple of chances but India have been unable to make the breakthrough.

The wicket has held together quite well and the Indian spinners have not had as much assistance as in the first innings and have been made work hard and earn their wickets.

Ashwin playing on Dickwella's mind as he places a fielder at short fine leg and the left-hander immediately looks to sweep it square but is beaten. He tries the shot again but fails to make connection with Ashwin bowling outside the leg-stump.

Dickwella not holding back against Ashwin as he slog sweeps the last ball over midwicket for a four to inch closer to fifty.

A hardfought session of Test cricket as Sri Lanka go into the tea break at 192 for four in 57 overs, having scored 107 runs for two wickets in 34 overs in the post-lunch session.

Karunaratne led the way with a gutsy innings of 85, while Dickwella attacked the spinners, especially Ashwin, to be unbeaten on 48.

Jadeja claimed a couple of wickets in the session, that of Mendis and Mathews, but Sri Lanka rallied quite well after those two dismissals.

SL 183-4 (54 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Change of ends for Pandya, who takes over from Shami. The first ball is short and on the body as Karunaratne misses the flick and is hit on the ribs and looks in some discomfort, forcing the physio to come out.

The fourth ball is full and wide as Karunaratne goes for the drive but gets an edge which goes in the gap between the lone slip and gully for a four and raise the 50-run stand for the fifth wicket.

The next ball again moves away as Karunaratne looks to defend but gets an edge which goes on the bounce to second slip.

Dickwella continues his positive approach as he comes down the track to Ashwin and lofts him over the covers for a four. Ashwin drops slightly short as Dickwella punches him through the covers for a single to take Sri Lanka to 176 for four in 50 overs.

Pandya induces the edge again off Dickwell (41) but Rahane at second slip is unable to hold on despite a full length dive to his left.

India have already put down two catches in the slip in this innings, but this one was very tough as compared to Kohli's easy drop earlier.

India's bowlers being made to work hard to get the wickets with Karunaratne leading the way with a gutsy half-century, while Dickwella has played a few shots.

Surprisingly, Kohli has opted for an on-out field despite having such a target to defend and no doubt Sunil Gavaskar on commentary has been critical of his tactics.

Dickwella not willing to back down as tries to reverse sweep Ashwin but misses as the ball goes down the leg side.

SL 165-4 (48 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

India make a bowling change as Shami comes into the attack in place of Jadeja. Karunarante takes a single off the first ball before Dickwella pulls a short ball to deep square for one and his partner picks a single off the last ball.

Pace from both ends as Hardik Pandya comes into the attack from the other end in place of Ashwin. He tries a short ball as Dickwella attempts the ramp shot but fails to make connection.

But he plays a nice shot off the last ball, steering a wide delivery through the point region for a four.

Ashwin comes back as he replaces Pandya. Dickwella immediately brings out the sweep shot for a boundary fine on the leg side before the left-hander is beaten by one that turns.

The last ball is again swept through the leg side for the second four of the over as Sri Lanka reach 165 for four in 48 overs.

Karunaratne has battled hard to score a solid 72 from 136 balls, while Dickwell has played a few shots to hit 34 from 53 balls.

SL 139-4 (42 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

A puff of dust as Ashwin gets one to grip and turn as Dickwell is beaten before he takes a single.

Ashwin drops short and the well-set Karunratne plays the cut shot past point for a four.

Dickwella keen to attack as he comes down the track and lofts Jadeja over long-on for a four before he plays an uppish sweep shot for one.

India make a change in the bowling attack as Ashwin is replaced by debutant Hardik Pandya, however, they Kohli changes his mind and decides to continue with Ashwin.

Dickwella continues his attack with the sweep shot as he hits Ashwin through midwicket for a four and two balls later he uses the shot again for a single to fine leg.

The left-hander has a close shave as he gets an edge but it goes past Rahane at first slip for a couple of runs.

Sri Lanka are 139 for four in 42 overs with Karunaratne battling hard on 66, while Dickwella has hit a few fours to score 16.

SL 118-4 (35 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

A few overs later Jadeja strikes again, this time with the key wicket of the experienced Angelo Mathews.

Mathews comes down the track and looks for a big hit but gets a thick outside edge and is caught by Hardik Pandya at point to be dismissed for two.

A reckless and irresponsible shot from the former Sri Lanka captain to leave his team in further strife on 116 for four.

Niroshan Dickwella sweeps the first ball he faces to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark and Karunaratne also takes one.

SL 108-3 (31 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

A huge appeal for catch behind down the leg side against Mendis as Wriddhiman Saha takes a sharp catch off Ashwin but the umpire is not interested. India take the DRS review but there is no edge and the decision stays.

Mendis taking a few risks as he goes right back and late cuts Jadeja past the slip fielder for three runs.

Ashwin changes the angle as he switches to over the wicket. Karunaratne goes for the sweep but is beaten and the huge appeal for LBW is turned down.

He gets one to turn as Karunratne is beaten trying to defend before Ashwin switches to round the wicket.

Jadeja gets one to bounce as Mendis has a poke but is beaten and the Indians go up in appeal, which is turned down.

And the Indians take the DRS and this time they are successful and the UltraEdge shows that the ball took the edge before it was caught by the wicketkeeper.

Mendis is caught behind for 36 as Sri Lanka are reduced to 108 for three in the 31st over.

SL 103-2 (27 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Ashwin starts the bowling for India after the lunch break. He straightaway starts from round the wicket to Mendis, who defends it watchfully before trying to drive one through the off-side which excites the Indian fielders as he plays against the turn.

He clips the fifth ball on the leg side for a single for the first runs of the post-lunch session.

In Ashwin's next over, Karunratne cuts a short ball through the off-side for a four. He drives the last ball down the ground for two runs to bring up his fifty, from 81 balls, his first against India in Tests.

Mendis shows some intent as he slog sweeps Jadeja over midwicket for a four. He slaps the next ball through the covers for three runs and Karunaratne hits the fourth ball through the same region for a couple as runs flow for Sri Lanka after the break.

LUNCH - DAY 4

SL 85-2 (23 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

A good session for the Indians as they scored quickly to set Sri Lanka a mammoth 550 for victory before claiming a couple of early wickets.

Dimuth Karunaratne hit a solid 44 from 74 balls, while Kusal Mendis made 24 to rally Sri Lanka to 85 for two in 23 overs, still needing another 465 runs for victory.

Mohammed Shami had provided the first breakthrough with the wicket of Upul Tharanga for 10, who was bowled off an inside edge.

Danushka Gunathilaka played a loose shot off Umesh Yadav to be caught at square leg for two.

Earlier, captain Virat Kohli stroked a fluent 103, hitting his 17th Test hundred, before India declared their second innings closed on 240 for three.

Ajinkya Rahane stroked a quickfire 23 not out from 18 balls as India scored some quick runs in the morning session.

The hosts, already a batsman short after Asela Gunaratne fractured his thumb and was ruled out of the series, face an uphill task to avoid going 1-0 down in the three-match series.

SL 85-2 (23 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Jadeja bowling with a heavy leg side field. Karunaratne clips the first ball behind square on the leg side for a couple before he turns the third ball to deep midwicket for one.

Mendis looks to make room and shapes to cut but the ball is much fuller and he somehow keeps it out.

A break for Umesh after a long first spell of one for 26 in seven overs as Ravichandran Ashwin is called into the attack.

Two singles before Ashwin gets one to turn and bounce and go past the edge of Karunaratne's bat. Top bowling from the off-spinner!

Now Jadeja gets one to grip and turn as Mendis went back to defend but the ball hit the shoulder of the bat and bounced short of the slips.

A single to Mendis off Jadeja brings up the 50-run stand for the third wicket with Karunaratne as the two batsmen battle hard to deny India any further wickets before lunch.

Ashwin from round the wicket to Mendis creating a nice angle. The right-hander watchfully defends the first four balls before pulling one to deep midwicket for one and Karunaratne clips the last ball through midwicket for three runs.

A good partnership from the two batsmen after Sri Lanka had lost two early wickets as Sri Lanka reach 85 for two in 23 overs at lunch on Day 4.

SL 67-2 (14 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Karunaratne is beaten by Shami as he produces the perfect outswinger as it goes past the edge of the bat but the next ball is full on the pads which the left-hander clips through midwicket for a four.

Sri Lanka's batsmen are batting to save the match but they are doing well not to let any opportunity to score go by. Mendis plays a nice drive through the off-side for his first boundary before he takes a single on the leg side.

Shami drops slightly short as Karunaratne steers it past point for a four to take his score to 23.

In the next over, Mendis plays a loose shot as he edges Umesh but the ball falls short of the slip fielder.

A long first spell of six overs for Shami before India introduce spin in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, who comes in to bowl the 13th over.

Karunaratne immediately targets the left-arm spinner, reverse sweeping him for a four through the off-side. Three balls later, Mendis slaps a short ball through point for the second of the over, which goes for nine runs.

Umesh continues to bowl, into his seventh over. Karunaratne batting well as he plays another nice cover drive for a couple before he keeps strike with one from the last ball.

SL 31-2 (6 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Karunaratne plays a nice straight drive, punching a full delivery from Umesh down the ground for a four.

New batsman Gunathilaka gets off the mark with a single in the next over off Shami as Sri Lanka look to put together a partnership and put up some fight.

However, Umesh leaves Sri Lanka in strife with the wicket of Gunathilaka who chips it straight into the hands of Pujara at square leg to perish for two.

Kusal Mendis gets off the mark with a single to avoid the pair and Karunaratne keeps strike with one from the last ball.

SL 22-1 (3 ovs); Target: 550 | Scorecard

Sri Lanka's openers, Dimuth Karunratne and Upul Tharanga, walk out the middle with a huge task ahead of them.

They have to survive two days on a pitch which is certainly aiding the spinners and will keep getting worse. 88 overs left on Day 4 plus 90 on Day 5, so time won't be a factor for the Indians, it is only the weather which could play a part.

Mohammed Shami opens the bowling for India. He starts with a short ball which Karunaratne gloves past the fielder at gully for a single to get off the mark.

He tries another bouncer at Tharanga but it sails high over his head and also beats wicketkeeper Saha to be ruled five wides.

Tharanga, who hit a half-century in the first innings, plays a nice drive through the off-side to get off the mark. He edges the last ball which goes past the slips for a couple as 12 come from the first over.

Umesh Yadav to bowl from the other end. He produces a beauty which goes straight on to beat Karunaratne outside the off-stump but the next ball is on the pads which he flicks through square leg for a couple.

Two balls later, he glances one fine on the leg side for a four as Sri Lanka race to 18 for no loss in two overs.

Shami produces the edge as Tharanga continues to play away from his body. A beauty which moves away enough to take the edge but Virat Kohli at second slip puts down an easy catch.

Howver, Tharanga fails to make most of the reprieve as he inside edges Shami back on to his stumps two balls later to be bowled for 10.

India 240-3d (53 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

India continue to bat despite Kohli completing his century. It remains to be seen how long they do so because the lead already seems enough for the injury-hit Sri Lankans.

Pacer Lahiru Kumara comes into the attack in place of Pradeep. No urgency by the Indian batsmen as they pick six singles from the over before India declare their second innings on 240 for three in 53 overs.

Captain Kohli finishes unbeaten on a splendid innings of 103 from 136 balls, having hit five fours and a six. Rahane played his part in the morning session, stroking a quick 23 from 18 balls, putting on a quickfire stand of 51 runs from 40 balls as India set Sri Lanka a mammoth target for victory.

India 234-3 (52 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Kohli goes right back and late cuts Herath off the stumps past wicketkeeper Dickwella for a couple. He then chips down the track and lofts the off-spinner over midwicket for a six before a single to deep midwicket takes him to 90.

Rahane again picks his areas as he reverse sweeps Perera fine on the off-side as Kohli pushes him for the third run before they steal another run off the last ball.

31 runs scored from 3.3 overs bowled on Day 4 so far as India look to smash their way to a huge lead.

Kohli drives a full delivery from Pradeep to deep extra cover for one and Rahane picks one.

Kohli walks across and clips Pradeep to deep midwicket for two runs before he takes one to thirdman. A single off the last ball takes Kohli to 96 and just a hit away from his century.

Kohli in no hurry as he clips Perera to deep midwicket for two runs as Rahane does well to rush back for the second.

He turns the third ball on the leg side but this time just for one to take his score to 99 and Rahane quietly gives him the strike back off the next ball with a single.

Kohli flicks the last ball to deep midwicket for a single to bring up his 17th Test century from 133 balls. This is his 10th century as Test captain.

India are 234 for three in 52 overs, having stretched their overall lead to 543 runs.

India 207-3 (49 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Ajinkya Rahane escapes a run out chance as he comes down the track trying to steal a quick single and is sent back but the throw is at the wrong end with Virat Kohli safely back in his crease.

Rahane gets off the mark with a single off Gunathilaka's last ball of the over.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end. Rahane hits the first ball square on  the off-side for one and Kohli drives it to long-off for another single.

Rahane shows some intent as he reverse sweeps Perera for a single to deep point. Kohli slog sweeps Perera but the substitute fielder comes up with a diving stop at the midwicket fence to stop a boundary and keep it down to just two before Kohli keeps strike with a single from the last ball which also pushes his score to 80.

Nuwan Pradeep comes on from the other end, replacing part-timer Gunathilaka, who completed his unfinished over from Day 3.

He bowls wide but Kohli strokes it through the covers for a single to the man in the deep. Two balls later, Rahane lofts a full delivery from Pradeep over the covers for a boundary to take India past the 200-run mark.

Two balls later, he walks across his stumps and flicks the pacer behind square on the leg side for a couple.

He flashes hard at the last ball but gets a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip region for a four as 11 come from the over.

India 189-3 (46.3 ovs) & 600 vs SL 291 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle on Saturday.

India are sitting pretty with an overall lead of 498 runs with seven wickets still in hand. The World No. 1 team produced another good batting effort in the second innings to reach 189 for three in 46.3 overs at stumps on Day 3.

Captain Virat Kohli hit a breezy 76 not out, while Abhinav Mukund perished off the final delivery of the day after a good innings of 81.

It remains to be seen how much longer India will bat on Day 4 or if they declare on their overnight score?

India may look to bat for around 30 minutes and score some quick runs to push their lead beyond the 550-run mark.

India will also do well to consider the unpredictable weather in Sri Lanka at this time of the year. They would not want rain to hamper their chances of a win, hence declaring as soon as possible might be the best option.

For Sri Lanka, their only hope is the weather. They are already a batsman less after Asila Gunaratne was ruled out of the Test with an injury sustained during Day 1.