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Young spinner Manav Suthar emerged as India’s biggest bowling star in the second innings of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle.
Suthar has produced an impressive spell and finished with four wickets for 76 runs from 21.4 overs. His performance played an important role in helping India bowl Sri Lanka out for 284 runs in Galle. India now has a massive 178-run lead, putting them in a strong position in the ongoing first Test.
Manav Suthar explains how India stayed patient despite Sri Lanka’s fightback
After his impressive performance on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test in Galle, Manav Suthar revealed that the Indian bowling attack stuck to their plans even when Sri Lankan batters were scoring. Amid this, Ravindra Jadeja creates history, becomes first Indian left-arm spinner to take 350 Test Wickets.
Suthar explained that they continued to focus on their areas and waited for chances instead of trying too hard for wickets. He also pointed out that Sri Lanka rotated the strike well, which made it difficult for India to build constant pressure in Galle.
Manav Suthar said after the end of the play in Galle on August 17: “We wanted to stick to our plans of the first session; the ball was turning in all sessions, and they played really well in the second session. There wasn’t much change in our approach. There were some umpire calls also… they rotated the strike really well. The ball didn’t get that soft.”
Sonal Dinusha’s maiden Test century gives Sri Lanka huge hope
Meanwhile, Sonal Dinusha smashed his maiden Test century for Sri Lanka, but India still finished Day 3 of the first Test in a strong position in Galle. Sri Lanka was in serious trouble at 90/5 before Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella changed the game.
They added a huge 146-run partnership for the sixth wicket, giving the hosts fresh hope in the ongoing first Test in Galle. Amid this, Murali Kartik, Sanjay Manjrekar engaged in ugly personal exchange on-air during India vs Sri Lanka Test.
Dinusha played with patience and confidence while Dickwella was more aggressive and smashed a stunning fifty. However, the Indian team eventually bowled Sri Lanka out for 284, leaving the visitors with a massive 178-run first-innings lead.
Indian spinners were impressive throughout the innings. Manav Suthar was impressive and finished with 4/76, while Ravindra Jadeja took 3/57. Jadeja also reached a major career milestone by becoming only the fifth Indian to take 350 Test wickets.
Poor light ends Day 3 early in Galle
Sadly, India lost two reviews earlier, and then KL Rahul also dropped difficult catches at slip in Galle. Dickwella survived an LBW decision through the umpire's call and later got another life when Rahul could not hold a tough chance.
Despite constant pressure from the Indian spinners, the Sri Lankan batters kept scoring. Well, the light became poor in Galle, forcing the ground staff to bring out the covers and bringing an early end to Day 3 of the ongoing first Test in Galle.
Sri Lanka showed plenty of fight, but India still holds the clear advantage going into the fourth day of the ongoing two-match Test series opener at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
