India secured a commanding 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Set a daunting target after falling 371 runs behind, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 in their second innings. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar led India’s attack with impressive figures of six for 55, including a decisive three-wicket burst in a single over.
Sri Lanka resumed the final day on 84 for four and initially frustrated the visitors through captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha.
The pair added 95 runs for the fifth wicket, combining patient defence with occasional attacking shots. Dhananjaya survived two lbw appeals and reached his half-century before eventually falling for 59. He top-edged a sweep off Ravindra Jadeja, with Suthar completing the catch at short fine-leg.
Dinusha, who hit a six off Kuldeep Yadav on his way to a half-century, continued to resist as wickets fell around him.
Niroshan Dickwella briefly attempted to counterattack with reverse-sweeps, but Prasidh Krishna ended his stay. A short delivery angled across the batter produced an edge, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 175 for six at lunch.
India then required just 36 minutes after the interval to complete the victory.
Suthar took control of proceedings, first removing Dinusha for a fighting 84 after he edged a delivery down the leg side to Dhruv Jurel at leg-slip. Prabath Jayasuriya was bowled immediately afterwards as the ball beat his bat and struck the stumps.
Lahiru Kumara survived the hat-trick delivery but could not make it through the over, edging its final ball to Rishabh Pant.
Keshara Nuwantha offered some late resistance before becoming Suthar’s final victim, bringing Sri Lanka’s innings and the match to an end.
There was one final interruption at Galle when rain arrived just as the post-match presentation was about to begin, forcing players and officials into the pavilion. The sun returned only minutes later.
India will now head to Colombo with the series advantage. The second and final Test is scheduled to begin on August 23.
