Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test in Galle on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match was particularly significant as it marked India's 600th Test.
The star of India's victory was 24-year-old left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed 10 wickets in the match, including six in Sri Lanka's second innings. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match after scoring a total of 211 runs.
Chasing a challenging target, Sri Lanka were 199 for six after 75 overs on the fifth day. Suthar then turned the match decisively in India's favour by taking three wickets in the next over. He dismissed Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara to reduce Sri Lanka to 199 for nine.
Suthar completed the innings in his following over by removing Keshara Nuwantha, sealing India's 165-run victory.
India won the toss and opted to bat first. Padikkal, batting at No. 3, produced an outstanding innings of 167 from 230 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six. He shared a 162-run partnership with KL Rahul, who scored 82. Dhruv Jurel added 51, while Rishabh Pant contributed 39 as India posted 462.
For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya claimed four wickets and Keshara Nuwantha took three.
Sri Lanka responded with 284 in their first innings, led by Sonal Dinusha's century. Dinusha scored 100 off 168 balls, while Niroshan Dickwella made 80. Suthar took four wickets for India, with Ravindra Jadeja claiming three.
India were then bowled out for 193 in their second innings. Pant top-scored with an aggressive 66 off 69 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Padikkal scored 44 and Rahul made 35.
