New Delhi: India secured a commanding 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the star of the show, claiming 6-55 in the second innings to finish with a match haul of 10-101.
Sri Lanka, chasing a challenging target, were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs on the fifth day. The victory also earned India 12 valuable World Test Championship points in their landmark 600th Test match.
Sri Lanka resumed after lunch with Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha offering strong resistance. Dinusha, who had already scored a century in the first innings, moved to 84 and appeared well placed to reach three figures again.
However, Suthar produced a decisive spell in the 76th over. He ended Dinusha’s stay at the crease with extra bounce, forcing an edge that was taken at leg gully. The spinner then dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya for a golden duck with a delivery that turned sharply to hit the top of off stump.
After Lahiru Kumara survived the hat trick ball, Suthar switched to round the wicket and found his outside edge, with Rishabh Pant completing the catch. The wicket gave Suthar his second five-wicket haul in just his second Test.
Sri Lanka crossed the 200-run mark through Nuwantha’s resistance, but Suthar soon ended the contest by bowling him for 20 with a quicker delivery that breached his defence.
India’s victory was built on a strong batting display as well. Devdutt Padikkal’s magnificent 167 in the first innings gave the visitors a crucial 178-run advantage, while Rishabh Pant’s composed 66 in the second innings helped set up the declaration and gave the bowlers enough time to exploit the turning Galle surface.
India now head into the second Test with momentum firmly on their side.
