Indian left-arm spinner Manav Suthar achieved a rare bowling milestone that eluded legends like Jasprit Bumrah and Garry Sobers in the first Test against Sri Lanka. The 24-year-old claimed a 10-wicket match haul in only his second Test, helping India secure a commanding win at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
India, led by Shubman Gill, defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle on Wednesday, August 19, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match after scoring a century in the first innings. They recorded their first WTC win since their home series against the West Indies.
Manav Suthar Claims Historic 10-Wicket Haul
Manav Suthar produced a memorable performance in only his second Test, finishing with match figures of 10/131. After taking 4/76 in Sri Lanka’s first innings, the left-arm spinner claimed 6/55 to complete his maiden 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Suthar recorded the best by an Indian bowler in a Test in Sri Lanka. He went past Harbhajan Singh’s 10/153 at Galle in 2008 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 10/160 at the same venue in 2015. Suthar also became the third Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test in Sri Lanka.
Several legendary bowlers never managed the 10-wicket haul. Jasprit Bumrah, Brett Lee, Josh Hazlewood, Morne Morkel, Neil Wagner, Jason Gillespie, Ben Stokes, Mohammed Shami, Gary Sobers, Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough, and Joel Garner all finished their careers without a 10-wicket Test haul.
Sri Lanka's Resistance Ends as Manav Suthar Triggers Collapse
Sri Lanka resumed the final day at 84/4 and needed 288 runs to win. Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha gave India a test with a 95-run partnership from 202 balls. De Silva made 59 off 151 balls, while Dinusha scored 84 off 128 after making a century in the first innings.
Ravindra Jadeja finally broke the partnership by getting extra bounce from the Galle surface. De Silva top-edged a sweep and Manav Suthar completed the catch at short fine leg. Prasidh Krishna then dismissed Niroshan Dickwella, who edged to Rishabh Pant while attempting an attacking shot.
Sri Lanka reached 199/6 after lunch, but Suthar’s return turned the game quickly. He dismissed Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara within six balls during a dramatic 76th over. Suthar then bowled Keshara Nuwantha to complete the innings.
The final collapse came in little more than 30 minutes as Suthar ran through Sri Lanka’s lower order. He completed a second straight five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Devdutt Padikkal Shines as India Secure Series Lead
Devdutt Padikkal, who batted at No. 3, scored his maiden Test century after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The left-hander finished with 167 from 230 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six as India posted 462 runs.
Sri Lanka responded with 284 in their first innings, with Suthar taking 4/76. India were bowled out for 193 in the second innings. Rishabh Pant scored 66 off 69 balls and Padikkal added 44 from 75 deliveries to give the visitors a substantial target.
Chasing 372, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble early but fought back through Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha. The hosts eventually folded for 206 in 77.4 overs. India will now travel to Colombo for the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club, beginning on August 23.
