GALLE: Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced a match-winning spell as 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.
Chasing a daunting 372-run target, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 shortly after lunch on the final day, with Suthar finishing with impressive figures of 6-55.
The hosts resumed the day on 84-4 and initially offered stiff resistance as captain Dhananjaya de Silva joined Sonal Dinusha at the crease.
The pair added 95 runs for the fifth wicket during a partnership that lasted more than two hours, giving Sri Lanka hope of mounting a fightback.
However, India’s persistence eventually paid off when De Silva attempted to sweep Ravindra Jadeja but top-edged the delivery, with Suthar taking the catch at short fine leg.
De Silva departed for 59 off 151 balls, having struck seven fours.
India then made further inroads when Prasidh Krishna removed wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who was caught behind for 10.
Dinusha remained determined to keep Sri Lanka’s chase alive and reached his half-century with a six off Kuldeep Yadav.
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The 25-year-old had already scored his maiden Test century in the first innings and continued to show considerable composure against India’s spinners.
However, Sri Lanka’s resistance collapsed after lunch. Dinusha was eventually dismissed for a fighting 84, before Suthar ran through the lower order in a devastating over.
Prabath Jayasuriya was dismissed for a golden duck, followed by Lahiru Kumara, who also departed without scoring after facing four deliveries.
Keshara Nuwantha, who had been unbeaten on eight at lunch, was the final wicket to fall after scoring 20.
Sri Lanka managed just 31 runs after lunch while losing their final four wickets as India completed a comprehensive victory.
Suthar’s six-wicket haul was complemented by two wickets from Krishna, while Mohammed Siraj and Jadeja claimed one each.
India will now head into the second Test with a 1-0 advantage as Sri Lanka look to level the series.
