Galle: India secure significant win against Sri La...

By Ishaan Kapoor — 19 August 2026 — 3 min read

India has achieved a 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, marking a strong start to their ICC World Test Championship series. This win places India fifth in the WTC Standings with a PCT of 53.33, moving up one spot. The result is particularly significant as it keeps India in contention for a spot in next year’s World Test Championship Final at The Oval, following a previous 2-0 home series defeat against South Africa in the ongoing cycle. Sri Lanka currently holds the sixth position with a PCT of 33.33.

The match saw a standout performance from Manav Suthar, who secured his maiden ten-wicket haul in Tests. Suthar, who made his Test debut for India against Afghanistan in June, finished with bowling figures of 6/55 in the second innings, adding to his 4/76 in the first innings. His performance was crucial in dismantling the home batting lineup, clinching the final four wickets, including that of Sonal Dinusha.

Suthar’s Record-Breaking Performance

Manav Suthar, at 24 years and 16 days, became the youngest Indian to achieve a 10-wicket haul in an away Test. This achievement places him in an elite group of Indian spinners, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Anil Kumble, and Harbhajan Singh, who have also taken ten-wicket match hauls in away Tests. Notably, Suthar is the only Indian in this group to accomplish this feat before turning 28.

His impressive showing also saw him join a select group of Indian bowlers with multiple five-wicket hauls in their first two Tests, alongside Narendra Hirwani, Axar Patel, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, and Mohammad Nissar. Suthar is also the fourth Indian to claim a maiden ten-wicket match haul within his first two Tests. This victory was also India’s 600th Test match.

Captain Shubman Gill praised Suthar’s efforts, describing him as a “very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a very long time.” The celebrations within the Indian dressing room highlighted Suthar’s contribution, with players exchanging hugs and giving attention to the match ball. Suthar was later congratulated by teammates such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj.

In addition to Suthar’s heroics, Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match for his total of 211 runs in the Test, including a score of 167 in the first innings. Padikkal’s performance, alongside KL Rahul’s 82, helped India amass a significant total of 462 in their first innings. Rahul commented on the team’s strategy on Day 5, stating, “We were trying to get the wickets as quickly as we could.” He added that breaking a key partnership allowed them to regain control of the game.

Sri Lanka’s Resistance and Upcoming Fixture

Sri Lanka, chasing a total of 372, had lost four wickets by Stumps on Day 4. Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Sonal Dinusha (84) formed a crucial partnership in the middle order, delaying India’s victory. Ravindra Jadeja eventually broke their stand by dismissing de Silva. Dinusha, who had scored a century in the first innings, also contributed significantly in the second innings.

Despite the efforts of de Silva and Dinusha, Suthar’s reintroduction into the attack proved decisive. He removed Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, and Lahiru Kumara in quick succession, reducing Sri Lanka to 199 for nine. Suthar then castled Keshara Nuwantha to seal the victory for India. Sri Lanka’s wait for a Test victory over India has now extended to 11 matches, including nine defeats.

The series will now move to Colombo for the second and final Test, which is scheduled to begin on August 23. The teams will square off at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo for the series decider.