Galle(Sri Lanka), 19 August (H.S.): 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 target of 372, the hosts were bowled out for 206 in their second innings. Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match after scoring a combined 211 runs across the two innings.

India’s victory was built on outstanding performances from spin-bowling all-rounder Manav Suthar and Padikkal. Suthar claimed four wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings and six in the second to finish with 10 wickets in the match. Padikkal, meanwhile, produced an outstanding batting display, scoring 167 in the first innings and 44 in the second for a match aggregate of 211 runs.

India scored 462 in their first innings, after which Sri Lanka were dismissed for 284. India therefore carried a first-innings lead of 178 runs. The visitors then scored 193 in their second innings to set Sri Lanka a target of 372. The hosts could manage only 206 in reply.

With the victory, India have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. The second and final Test will be played in Colombo from August 23.

Sri Lanka Lose Six Wickets for 122 Runs on Fifth Day

Sri Lanka resumed their second innings at 84/4 on the fifth and final day. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha batted cautiously to steady the innings after the early setbacks. Both completed their respective half-centuries and took the team beyond the 140-run mark.

Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership by having Dhananjaya de Silva caught by Manav Suthar. Dhananjaya scored 59 off 151 balls, including seven fours. Sri Lanka lost their sixth wicket at 156, with Niroshan Dickwella dismissed for 10.

The hosts added a few more runs but then lost three wickets in quick succession at 199. Sonal Dinusha was dismissed for 84 off 128 balls, after which Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara departed without scoring. The final Sri Lankan wicket fell when Keshara Nuwantha was dismissed for 20.

India Score 193 in Second Innings

India made 193 in their second innings, with Rishabh Pant top-scoring with 66. Padikkal contributed 44, while KL Rahul scored 35.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando claimed four wickets, while Prabath Jayasuriya took three, Lahiru Kumara two and Keshara Nuwantha one.

Sri Lanka Bowled Out for 284 in First Innings

Sri Lanka had earlier been dismissed for 284 in their first innings. Sonal Dinusha produced an impressive century and shared a 146-run partnership with Niroshan Dickwella. Dinusha scored 100, while Dickwella contributed 80. No other Sri Lankan batter managed a substantial score.

For India, Suthar took four wickets, while Jadeja claimed three. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket each.

India’s First Innings and Padikkal’s Century

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India posted 462 in their opening innings. Padikkal led the way with a magnificent 167 off 230 balls, including 15 fours and one six. KL Rahul scored 82 off 175 balls, with 10 fours and a six, while Dhruv Jurel contributed 51. Pant scored 39, Yashasvi Jaiswal 32 and Suthar 24.

For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya claimed four wickets, while Keshara Nuwantha took three and Asitha Fernando two.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar