Suthar’s Ten-Wicket Haul Seals India’s 165-Run Victory Over Sri Lanka in Galle

Manav Suthar produced a match-winning bowling performance as India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle, sealing a hard-fought victory on a slow, challenging pitch.

India, after posting 462 in their first innings and 193 in the second, bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 and 206 respectively. Suthar was the star with the ball, claiming 10 wickets in the match, including 4 for 76 in the first innings and an outstanding 6 for 55 in the second.

Sri Lanka began the final day needing 371 runs for victory, but India required just six wickets to complete the win. Overnight batters Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva offered strong resistance, putting together a determined partnership and taking Sri Lanka closer to the target.

Dhananjaya brought up a half-century before Ravindra Jadeja broke the stand. The left-arm spinner first beat his outside edge with a sharply turning delivery before slowing the next ball, prompting Dhananjaya to top-edge a sweep.

Dinusha continued to frustrate India and came within 16 runs of scoring a second century of the match. However, his dismissal in the 76th over triggered a dramatic collapse.

Suthar went around the wicket and bowled one outside leg, with the extra bounce taking the ball straight to the only close catcher at leg gully. From there, the young spinner took complete control.

He claimed three more wickets in just 10 balls, finishing with figures of 6 for 55. His final wickets also demonstrated his growing range as a bowler. Instead of relying solely on big turn and overspin, Suthar bowled quicker deliveries with a square seam, finding the inside edge and stumps.

Sri Lanka's middle order had shown considerable resilience throughout the Test. Dinusha scored 100 in the first innings and 84 in the second, while Niroshan Dickwella contributed an aggressive 80 in the first innings. Despite their efforts, India's disciplined bowling attack eventually proved too strong.

Jadeja also played a crucial role, taking three wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and adding another in the second. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna provided valuable control with the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav continued to work towards finding his best rhythm.

India's batting effort was led by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a superb 167 in the first innings, while KL Rahul contributed 82. Rishabh Pant top-scored in the second innings with a counter-attacking 66.

The victory will be particularly encouraging for India's young and transitioning side, which had struggled in recent series in spin-friendly conditions. Despite interruptions from poor weather and a difficult pitch, India maintained their composure and showed the patience required to force a result.

Suthar's ten-wicket haul, in only his second Test, was the defining performance of the match. His ability to combine conventional spin with subtle variations suggests he could become an important part of India's bowling attack in the years ahead.

With Sri Lanka's final wicket falling before the second new ball was even required, India completed a convincing 165-run victory in Galle, with Suthar emerging as the undisputed hero.