Sri Lanka, 19 August (Sports Desk)
India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test — Complete Match Report
Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle
Dates: 15–19 August 2026
Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 165 runs
Series: India lead the two-Test series 1–0.
Final Score
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | 462 (116.4 ov) | 193 (48.5 ov) |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 284 (79.4 ov) | 206 (77.4 ov) |
India’s overall advantage was 165 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 while chasing 372 for victory.
Manav Suthar’s Match-Winning Performance
The biggest hero of the Test was India’s young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed a remarkable 10 wickets in the match.
- 1st innings: 4 wickets
- 2nd innings: 6/55
- Match haul: 10 wickets
His 6/55 in the final innings broke Sri Lanka’s resistance and sealed India’s victory.
🇮🇳 India’s First Innings — 462
India’s batting was led by Devdutt Padikkal, who produced the innings of his young Test career.
Devdutt Padikkal — 167
Padikkal scored a superb 167 off 230 balls, including 15 fours and a six. It was his maiden Test century and the foundation of India’s huge first-innings total.
Other important contributions included:
- KL Rahul — 82
- Dhruv Jurel — 51
- Rishabh Pant — 39
- Manav Suthar — 24
- Mohammed Siraj — 11
India eventually reached 462 in 116.4 overs. Sri Lanka’s spinners fought back, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 4/109 and debutant Keshara Nuwantha claiming 3/175.
Sri Lanka First Innings — 284
India’s bowlers then established a 178-run first-innings lead.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 284 in 79.4 overs, giving India a significant advantage before the second innings. Manav Suthar took 4 wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3 wickets.
India 2nd Innings — 193
India batted aggressively in their second innings and declared/set a challenging target after reaching 193 in 48.5 overs.
Rishabh Pant provided another important attacking contribution, scoring 66 off 69 balls. His innings also saw him reach the milestone of 100 Test sixes, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve the feat.
India’s second-innings total of 193 meant Sri Lanka were set 372 runs to win.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka’s Final Chase — 206 All Out
Sri Lanka began their chase under pressure and reached 84/4 at the end of Day 4, still requiring 288 runs.
On the final day, Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva attempted to revive the chase.
Key Sri Lankan scores
- Sonal Dinusha — 84
- Dhananjaya de Silva — 59
Their resistance delayed India’s victory, but Suthar eventually broke through with his outstanding 6/55. Sri Lanka were finally bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs.
watch…..India Take Command in Galle, Lead Sri Lanka by 178 Runs
India’s Bowling
Manav Suthar: 6/55 in the second innings
Prasidh Krishna: 2/16
Ravindra Jadeja: 1 wicket
Suthar’s overall 10-wicket match haul was the defining performance of the Test.
📅 Day-by-Day Summary
Day 1: India finished strongly at 288/2, with Padikkal unbeaten on 131.
Day 2: Padikkal reached 167, while India finished on 460/9 as rain significantly reduced playing time.
Day 3: Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284, leaving India with a 178-run first-innings lead.
Day 4: India reached 193 in their second innings and set Sri Lanka 372. Sri Lanka ended the day on 84/4, needing 288 more.
Day 5: Suthar’s six-wicket spell destroyed Sri Lanka’s resistance. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206, giving India a 165-run victory.
Match Highlights
- 🏆 India won by 165 runs
- ⭐ Manav Suthar — 10 wickets
- 🔥 Suthar — 6/55 in the second innings
- 💯 Devdutt Padikkal — 167, maiden Test century
- 🏏 Rishabh Pant — 66
- 🎯 India first innings — 462
- 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka first innings — 284
- 🎯 Target — 372
- 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka second innings — 206
- 📊 India lead the series 1–0
Bottom Line
India produced a complete all-round performance in Galle. Padikkal’s magnificent 167 provided the batting platform, while Pant’s attacking 66 helped India set a formidable fourth-innings target. The decisive difference, however, was Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket match haul, as his 6/55 in the final innings enabled India to dismiss Sri Lanka for 206 and secure a 165-run victory.
