Galle, Aug 2026 : Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced a sensational six-wicket haul on the fifth day as India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Playing only his second Test, Suthar returned figures of 6-55 in the second innings to finish with an outstanding match haul of 10-101. His spell dismantled Sri Lanka’s resistance as the hosts were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs while chasing a daunting target of 372.
The victory came in Galle’s 50th Test and marked India’s 600th Test match. The comprehensive triumph also earned India 12 valuable points in the World Test Championship standings.
Sri Lanka resumed their second innings after lunch with Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha attempting to prolong their resistance. Dinusha, who had struck a century in the first innings, continued his impressive form and moved to 84, raising hopes of becoming only the second Sri Lankan batter to score centuries in both innings of the match.
However, Suthar produced a decisive burst that turned the contest firmly in India’s favour.
In the 76th over, Suthar broke the stubborn partnership by extracting extra bounce from a flighted delivery outside leg stump. Dinusha attempted to work the ball but only managed a glove, with Dhruv Jurel taking a sharp catch at leg gully.
Suthar struck again with the very next delivery, sending Prabath Jayasuriya back for a golden duck. An arm ball from the spinner gripped the surface and clipped the top of off stump, leaving Jayasuriya with no answer.
Lahiru Kumara survived the hat-trick delivery, but Suthar quickly regained the attack. Switching to round the wicket, he found Kumara’s outside edge two balls later, with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant completing the catch.
The three-wicket maiden gave Suthar his second five-wicket haul in only his second Test and left Sri Lanka staring at defeat.
India’s fielders maintained relentless pressure as Ravindra Jadeja and the slip cordon kept the Sri Lankan tail under constant threat. Nuwantha and Asitha Fernando resisted briefly, but the target remained well beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
Nuwantha attempted to delay the inevitable with some aggressive strokeplay, including a paddle sweep against Suthar that raced to the boundary and took Sri Lanka beyond the 200-run mark.
Suthar, however, completed the job in the 78th over. His quicker delivery skidded off the pitch and beat Nuwantha’s defence before crashing into the stumps. Nuwantha was dismissed for 20, triggering celebrations in the Indian camp and confirming a convincing Test victory.
India’s success was built on strong contributions throughout the match. Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer with the bat, producing a magnificent 167 in the first innings that helped India establish a commanding 178-run lead.
India then adopted an attacking approach in their second innings, with Pant providing the impetus with a calculated 66. His innings helped India set Sri Lanka a formidable target of 372.
The Indian bowling attack subsequently made full use of the turning Galle surface. While Suthar provided the decisive breakthrough, the support from the rest of the attack ensured Sri Lanka were never allowed to build a substantial partnership.
For Sri Lanka, Dinusha followed his first-innings century with a determined 84, while Dhananjaya de Silva contributed 59. But the hosts lacked the batting depth required to withstand India’s sustained bowling pressure.
With the victory, India now lead the series 1-0 and will look to carry the momentum into the second Test. For Suthar, the performance represents a major breakthrough and could prove to be a defining moment in his young international career.
Brief Scores:
India: 462 & 193
Sri Lanka: 284 & 206 (Sonal Dinusha 84, Dhananjaya de Silva 59; Manav Suthar 6-55, Prasidh Krishna 2-16)
Result: India won by 165 runs.
