Galle: India convincingly sealed a dominant 165-run victory over Sri Lanka, with Manav Suthar unleashing a sensational six-wicket haul to spearhead India’s emphatic triumph. His devastating and match-defining spell completely dismantled Sri Lanka’s lower order, as the hosts were bundled out for 206 while chasing a daunting target of 372. With this resounding victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series on Wednesday, August 19, at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka began the final day at 84/4, requiring another 288 runs for victory. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha put together a determined and fighting partnership, adding a solid 95 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Ravindra Jadeja finally broke the crucial partnership, But the day belonged to Manav Suthar, who produced a devastating six-ball spell, picking up three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Dinusha. After claiming four wickets in the first innings, Suthar returned with another spectacular six-wicket haul in the second innings to finish with a remarkable 10-wicket match haul. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs, wrapping up the match just over half an hour after the start of the second session on Day 5. India secured a commanding 1-0 lead in the two-Test series with victory.
The final day began with captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha resuming their overnight partnership. The pair produced a spirited and counterattacking performance, putting the Indian bowling attack under sustained pressure. They stitched together a crucial 95-run partnership from 202 deliveries for the fifth wicket, keeping Sri Lanka’s hopes alive in the daunting chase. Both batters reached their respective half-centuries. Dhananjaya de Silva brought up his fifty off 125 balls, while Sonal Dinusha reached his milestone in just 77 balls, showing great composure and determination. The breakthrough finally came for India when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Dinusha for 59 off 151 balls. Manav Suthar took a comfortable catch at short fine leg after Dinusha top-edged a sweep shot. Jadeja had earlier dismissed de Silva on Day 4, only for the delivery to be ruled a no-ball. This time, however, Jadeja made no mistake, delivering a crucial breakthrough for India. Niroshan Dickwella then came to the crease, but a combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s sharp fielding chatter, Prasidh Krishna’s relentless spell, and disciplined wicketkeeping helped India send Dickwella back to the pavilion for 10 off 17 balls. Sri Lanka were reduced to 156/6 by the end of the first session. After lunch, India needed only 36 minutes to pick up the remaining four wickets, with Suthar delivering a pivotal and match-turning spell. Sonal Dinusha remained at the crease and continued his fighting knock, adding 59 runs to his overnight score. He looked well set for a substantial score and appeared capable of leading Sri Lanka’s fightback, but Suthar returned to the attack and ended those hopes with the very first ball of the 75th over. The delivery took Dinusha’s inside edge, deflected off his pads, and went towards Dhruv Jurel at leg gully, who completed the catch safely. Dinusha’s dismissal brought an end to his courageous and determined innings. He narrowly missed out on another century, scoring 84 off 128 balls after having scored a brilliant hundred in the first innings. With the very next ball, Suthar struck again, dismissing Jayasuriya for a duck. He delivered a short ball that straightened after pitching, beating Jayasuriya’s outside edge and crashing into the off stump. After three dot deliveries, Suthar struck once again, dismissing Lahiru Kumara for a duck. He bowled a full, tossed-up delivery outside off that went straight on, taking a faint outside edge from Kumara. Rishabh Pant completed the catch safely behind the stumps, leaving Sri Lanka at 199/9 and India just one wicket away from victory. Suthar completed his five-wicket haul and successfully registered his second five-wicket haul. His explosive three-wicket burst in the over turned the contest decisively in India’s favour. At 199/9, Sri Lanka were on the brink of defeat, with India just one wicket away from sealing the victory. Suthar then returned to claim the final wicket, dismissing Keshara Nuwantha for 20 off 69 balls. He bowled a short delivery around off stump that came back in sharply and went through the gap between bat and pad to crash into the stumps. With the final wicket, Suthar finished with magnificent figures of 6/55 and completed a remarkable 10-wicket match haul. Manav Suthar etched his name into the record books by becoming the youngest Indian to claim a 10-wicket haul in an away Test. Aged 24 years and 16 days, Suthar followed his first-innings figures of 4/76 with a superb 6/55 in the second innings to finish with an impressive 10 wickets in the match. He became only the seventh Indian spinner to claim a 10-wicket match haul in an away Test, joining an elite list featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Anil Kumble, and Harbhajan Singh. More significantly, Suthar is the only Indian in that illustrious group to achieve the feat before turning 28, further underlining the significance of his remarkable achievement. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs, as India secured a convincing victory and took a commanding 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
India’s victory earned them 12 crucial World Test Championship points and put them 1-0 ahead in the series. The result was also particularly significant as it came in India’s 600th Test. Devdutt Padikkal was magnificent with the bat, scoring a brilliant 167 runs in the first innings and a fluent 44 in the second, while also contributing with the ball with figures of 0/5. For his outstanding and impactful all-round contribution, he was deservedly named Player of the Match. The second Test begins in Colombo on August 23, with both teams set to meet again as India aim to continue their winning momentum and seal a series whitewash, while Sri Lanka will look to bounce back strongly, put up a determined fight, and level the series.
