By Tharupathi Welmilla
India produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The victory was sealed on the fifth day when Sri Lanka, chasing a formidable target of 372, were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs.
The architect of India’s victory was left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who delivered a sensational second-innings spell of six wickets for 55 runs. The 23-year-old completed a memorable 10-wicket match haul, having taken four wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings. It was a remarkable performance in only his second Test and underlined India’s growing strength in the spin department.
India established control early in the match after posting a massive 462 in their first innings. Devdutt Padikkal was the outstanding performer with the bat, producing a magnificent 167 from 230 deliveries, while KL Rahul contributed a valuable 82. India maintained an aggressive approach despite the interruptions caused by rain during the opening stages of the Test.
Sri Lanka showed considerable resistance in reply, reaching 284, with Sonal Dinusha producing a superb century. However, India’s bowlers ensured that the hosts could not establish a decisive first-innings advantage. Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen, with Jadeja also reaching the significant milestone of 350 Test wickets during the match.
India then strengthened their position by declaring their second innings at 193 for 3, setting Sri Lanka the daunting target of 372. Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 66 from 69 balls provided the momentum India needed before the declaration.
Sri Lanka’s chase began badly and they ended the fourth day on 84 for four, leaving them needing 288 runs with only six wickets remaining. Their hopes rested heavily on Dinusha and captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
The pair mounted a determined resistance on the final morning. Dhananjaya scored a fighting 59 from 151 balls, while Dinusha followed his first-innings century with an impressive 84 from 128 deliveries. Their partnership briefly raised hopes of an unlikely Sri Lankan fightback.
But Suthar had the final say. His relentless accuracy and ability to extract assistance from the Galle surface dismantled the Sri Lankan lower order. He struck three times in one over before returning to claim the final wicket, completing his maiden ten-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The defeat leaves Sri Lanka trailing 1-0 and facing an uphill task in the second Test. For India, however, the Galle victory provides a major boost, with Padikkal’s batting brilliance and Suthar’s outstanding bowling giving the visitors a strong platform to pursue a series triumph.
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