SL vs IND 1st Test: India Beat Galle’s Spin Challenge, Boost WTC Final Hopes

India Beat Sri Lanka by 165 Runs in Galle, Strengthen WTC Final Push

India began their World Test Championship campaign on a winning note, defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle after Manav Suthar produced a stunning late spell on the final day.

Brief Score: India 462 & 193 beat Sri Lanka 284 & 206 by 165 runs. Manav Suthar: 4/76 & 6/55; Devdutt Padikkal: 167 & 44.

India needed six wickets on the final morning after setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 372. With rain threatening to disrupt the game, the visitors had little room for error.

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha frustrated India during the opening session. The pair added 95 runs for the fifth wicket, with de Silva using his feet effectively against the spinners and Dinusha repeatedly sweeping the ball.

Gambhir’s Move Changes the Game

With Sri Lanka refusing to surrender, India head coach Gautam Gambhir intervened and asked Ravindra Jadeja to change ends and alter his angles.

The adjustment quickly paid off. De Silva, who had defended comfortably for much of the morning, attempted a paddle sweep against Jadeja but top-edged the shot, ending a stubborn partnership.

India then struck again before lunch when Niroshan Dickwella edged a cut off Prasidh Krishna to the wicketkeeper. His dismissal gave India renewed belief that the remaining wickets could be taken before the weather intervened.

Suthar Turns the Test on Its Head

Dinusha continued to resist after lunch and appeared to have mastered the turning conditions. His 84 off 128 balls finally ended when he inside-edged a delivery from Manav Suthar onto the leg side, where Dhruv Jurel completed the catch at leg slip.

That wicket triggered a dramatic collapse.

Suthar removed Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara in the same over, completing his five-wicket haul. He finished with 6/55 in the innings and 10 wickets for the match.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 206, handing India a 165-run victory just before rain arrived at the Galle International Stadium.

Padikkal Sets Up India’s Victory

Although Suthar’s final-day heroics sealed the win, India’s advantage was established much earlier through their batting.

Devdutt Padikkal, drafted into the side after Sai Sudharsan’s injury, produced a superb 167 in the first innings. His 162-run partnership with KL Rahul helped India post 462 and avoid being overwhelmed by the turning conditions.

Padikkal was subsequently named Player of the Match.

India’s bowlers then ensured the advantage remained firmly with the visitors. Mohammed Siraj delivered a disciplined spell during the second and third days, while Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships beyond Sonal Dinusha’s century and Niroshan Dickwella’s 80.

India declared their intent with an aggressive second innings, reaching 193 before setting Sri Lanka 372 to win. Rishabh Pant provided the late impetus with a rapid 66 off 69 balls.

Sri Lanka lost four wickets late on Day 4, leaving India needing only six more on the final morning.

Despite the hosts’ determined resistance early in the day, Suthar’s late burst completed the job and gave India a crucial victory in the WTC race.