India Overcome Galle Spin Test, Strengthen WTC Final Push Against Sri Lanka

India Survive Galle Test, Beat Sri Lanka by 165 Runs to Boost WTC Hopes

India overcame a tense final-day battle against Sri Lanka to win the first Test by 165 runs in Galle, giving their World Test Championship campaign a major boost. Brief Score: India 462 & 193 beat Sri Lanka 284 & 206. Manav Suthar 4/76 & 6/55; Devdutt Padikkal 167 & 44.

Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 on the final day after Manav Suthar produced a match-winning spell. The left-arm spinner claimed four wickets in his final 10 balls to finish with 6/55 and 10 wickets in the match. The result came just before rain swept across the Galle International Stadium, which had threatened to wash out the final day. A draw would have been a significant setback for India’s WTC campaign.

Sri Lanka Frustrate India Early

India had to work hard for their final six wickets as Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha dug in during the morning session. The pair added 95 runs and appeared capable of taking the match deep into the day. De Silva attacked Ravindra Jadeja effectively, while Dinusha used the sweep shot to counter India’s spinners.

India coach Gautam Gambhir then asked Jadeja to change ends and adjust his bowling angles. The tactical switch worked, with de Silva eventually top-edging a paddle sweep to end the partnership. Niroshan Dickwella was dismissed soon after, giving India a crucial opening before lunch.

Suthar Triggers Sri Lanka Collapse

Dinusha continued his impressive resistance after lunch, scoring 84 from 128 balls. However, his dismissal to Suthar changed the complexion of the innings. Suthar induced an inside edge from a delivery that had drifted onto the leg stump, with Dhruv Jurel taking the catch at leg slip.

Sri Lanka then collapsed rapidly.

Suthar dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara in the same over to complete his five-wicket haul. He eventually finished with 6/55, securing his first 10-wicket match haul in just his second Test.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206, falling 165 runs short.

Padikkal Provides the Foundation

India’s victory had been set up by Devdutt Padikkal’s outstanding batting performance in the first innings. Drafted into the team after Sai Sudharsan’s injury, Padikkal scored 167 and shared a 162-run partnership with KL Rahul. His innings helped India post 462 on a pitch expected to heavily favour spin.

Sri Lanka replied with 284, with Sonal Dinusha scoring 100 and Dickwella making 80. Mohammed Siraj also played an important role, producing a disciplined spell and dismissing opener Nishan Madushka for a duck. India then attacked in their second innings, reaching 193 before setting Sri Lanka a target of 372. Rishabh Pant provided the acceleration with a 66 off 69 balls.

Sri Lanka lost four wickets before stumps on Day 4, leaving India six wickets away from victory. The hosts briefly threatened to frustrate India on the final morning, but Suthar’s decisive burst ended the resistance. The win gives Shubman Gill’s India an ideal start to their WTC campaign and valuable momentum in their two-Test series against Sri Lanka.