Suthar’s Six-Wicket Burst Seals India’s 165-Run Win Over Sri Lanka in Galle Test

 

India completed a memorable 165-run victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth day of the first Test at Galle on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The victory, achieved in the afternoon session and just before rain arrived at the Galle International Stadium, was powered by a superb bowling performance from young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who finished with six wickets in the second innings and a match haul of 10 wickets.

Sri Lanka began the final morning at 84/4, still needing 288 runs from their overnight target of 372. With six wickets in hand, the hosts had a difficult task ahead, but the match was not completely beyond their reach. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha resumed the resistance and initially showed considerable determination against an Indian attack that knew wickets were the key to victory.

Dinusha, who had already scored a century in Sri Lanka's first innings, continued to be one of the biggest obstacles in India's path. He played with patience and confidence, eventually making 84, the highest score of Sri Lanka's second innings. Dhananjaya also fought hard, scoring 59 off 151 balls, as the pair attempted to frustrate India and stretch the chase deep into the final day.

India, however, maintained relentless pressure. The Galle surface had deteriorated and increasingly offered assistance to the spinners, allowing Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja to attack the Sri Lankan batters. Suthar's control was particularly impressive as he repeatedly bowled into the right areas and made the ball turn sharply enough to trouble the batsmen.

The crucial breakthrough came when India finally separated Sri Lanka's stubborn middle-order resistance. Once the partnership was broken, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Suthar became increasingly influential, exploiting the deteriorating pitch and eventually claimed 6/55 from 23.4 overs. His second-innings figures completed a remarkable 10-wicket match haul, after he had taken 4/76 in the first innings.

The final phase of the innings was particularly dramatic. Sri Lanka's hopes of forcing an unlikely draw or victory disappeared rapidly as Suthar continued to pick up wickets. India eventually dismissed the hosts for 206 in 77.4 overs, completing the victory before the weather could intervene. The timing was significant, with heavy rain arriving only minutes after Sri Lanka were bowled out.

India's victory was the culmination of a match in which they were generally in control. They made 462 in their first innings, with Devdutt Padikkal producing a magnificent 167 and KL Rahul contributing 82. Sri Lanka responded with 284, leaving India with a sizeable first-innings advantage. India then declared their second innings at 193, with Rishabh Pant scoring 66 and Padikkal adding another useful 44, setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 372.

The final day's result also highlighted the significance of India's decision to attack rather than simply bat time in the second innings. Their declaration created sufficient time to take 10 wickets, while the bowlers responded superbly when the opportunity arrived.

For Suthar, the fifth day was the defining moment of the match and potentially an important early milestone in his Test career. His 10 wickets in the match came in only his second Test, while captain Shubman Gill subsequently praised the young spinner as a long-term prospect for Indian cricket.

Padikkal was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contributions of 167 and 44, but Suthar's final-day spell was arguably the decisive performance. Together, the young left-hander and the young spinner gave India two outstanding individual performances in their historic 600th Test.

The 165-run win gives India a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series and provides valuable momentum in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly before the second Test, scheduled to begin in Colombo on August 23.