The Black Caps faced a tall order on day four as Sri Lanka resumed with a 202-run lead, but six wickets for 72 runs in the first session gave them hope of a dramatic fightback

Sri Lanka stayed on course for victory against New Zealand in the opening test in Galle despite Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on Sunday.

Follow live coverage of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand from the New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2024 today. The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner. The inaugural competition was won by New Zealand after a thrilling victory over India in June 2021.

Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 kept New Zealand's hopes alive in a tense Galle Test, but Sri Lanka's spinners, led by Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya, left the Blackcaps just two wickets away from defeat on Day 4.

Chasing 275 for victory, New Zealand got off to a shaky start and kept losing wickets particularly to Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya (3-66) and Romesh Mendis (3-83), who tormented them on a day four track.

Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 gave New Zealand a slender chance for victory against Sri Lanka, with the tourists needing another 68 runs with two wickets in hand after day four of the first Test.

Rachin Ravindra remains unbeaten on 91 with New Zealand needing 68 runs while Sri Lanka require two wickets to take the win for the first Test in Galle.

Rachin Ravindra led New Zealand's charge as they scored 194 runs in the final two sessions of day four in pursuit of their target of 275, but a fast-deteriorating Galle surface and relentless pressure from Sri Lanka's spinners meant they have only two wickets in hand to notch the remaining 68 runs.

Sri Lanka remained in a strong position to win the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle despite Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on September 22, Sunday.  Sri Lanka just two wickets away from winning first Test against New Zealand However,