GALLE, Sri Lanka — India secured a convincing 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle on August 19, 2026, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar delivering the decisive performance on the final day. Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs after Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva had mounted a determined resistance.
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle.
- Manav Suthar finished with 10 wickets in the match, including 6 for 55 in Sri Lanka’s second innings.
- Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 was the standout batting performance of India’s first innings.
- Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 while chasing 372 on the fifth day.
Manav Suthar breaks Sri Lanka’s resistance
Sri Lanka resumed the final day needing 225 more runs for an unlikely victory, while India required six wickets. The hosts’ hopes rested largely on the overnight partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva, who had already taken Sri Lanka through a difficult phase.
India opted for patience rather than attacking recklessly. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja continued to apply pressure, while the fielding side waited for mistakes from the established Sri Lankan batters.
De Silva reached his half-century before Jadeja ended the partnership. The Indian spinner first beat the outside edge with a delivery that turned sharply and then changed his pace. De Silva attempted a sweep against the slower delivery but only managed a top edge.
Dinusha remained a major obstacle for India, having already scored 100 in Sri Lanka’s first innings. He again produced a composed innings and made 84 in the second innings before Suthar finally removed him.
Suthar takes control after Dinusha’s dismissal
The dismissal of Dinusha changed the match dramatically. Suthar went around the wicket and produced extra bounce from a delivery pitched outside leg. Dinusha’s attempt to work the ball into the leg side ended with a catch at leg gully.
That wicket opened the door for Suthar to finish the innings himself. The young spinner claimed the next three wickets in only 10 deliveries, completing a remarkable spell that removed Sri Lanka’s remaining resistance.
Suthar’s final three wickets also demonstrated the range of his bowling. Rather than relying entirely on large turn, he used quicker deliveries with a square seam and attacked the stumps and edges from different angles.
Keshara Nuwantha became the final Sri Lankan batter dismissed. Suthar bowled him to finish with 6 for 55 in the innings. India did not need to wait for the second new ball, which was still 2.2 overs away when the innings ended.
India’s first innings built the foundation
India’s victory was built on a strong first-innings total of 462. Devdutt Padikkal led the scoring with an outstanding 167 from 230 balls, while KL Rahul contributed 82.
Padikkal’s innings contained 15 fours and one six and lasted 340 minutes. Rahul faced 175 deliveries and struck 10 fours and a six during his long stay at the crease.
Dhruv Jurel also made a useful contribution with 51, while Rishabh Pant scored 39. India eventually reached 462 in 116.4 overs, giving themselves a substantial platform on a slow Galle surface.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were led by Prabath Jayasuriya, who claimed four wickets for 109 runs. Keshara Nuwantha took three wickets on Test debut, while Asitha Fernando collected two.
Sri Lanka fight back before India regain control
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in their first innings, giving India a lead of 178 runs. Sonal Dinusha was the standout batter, scoring exactly 100 from 168 deliveries.
Niroshan Dickwella added 80 and provided important resistance in the middle order. His partnership with Dinusha helped Sri Lanka recover after India had made early inroads.
Suthar was again among India’s leading bowlers, taking 4 for 76. Jadeja claimed 3 for 57, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna contributed one wicket each. Kuldeep Yadav also took one wicket.
Suthar made an immediate impact when he dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with his first delivery. His ability to generate bounce and turn repeatedly troubled Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order.
Pant’s 66 gives India a competitive target
India’s second innings was considerably shorter. The visitors were dismissed for 193 in 48.5 overs, leaving Sri Lanka with a target of 372.
Rishabh Pant top-scored with 66 from 69 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. KL Rahul made 35, while Padikkal added 44 after his major contribution in the first innings.
India’s lower order struggled against Sri Lanka’s pace attack. Asitha Fernando finished with four wickets for 31 runs, while Prabath Jayasuriya took three wickets and Lahiru Kumara claimed two.
Despite being bowled out for 193, India had created enough scoreboard pressure through their first-innings advantage. Sri Lanka needed 372, leaving India with a clear opportunity to attack with both spin and pace.
Sri Lanka’s chase fades despite Dinusha and de Silva
Sri Lanka’s second innings began with pressure from the Indian attack. Mohammed Siraj removed Nishan Madushka Fernando for six, while Suthar dismissed Lahiru Udara Igalagamage and Pasindu Sooriyabandara in quick succession.
Prasidh Krishna then removed Kamindu Mendis and later Dickwella, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring rate. The hosts struggled to build partnerships as India’s bowlers maintained control.
De Silva and Dinusha eventually provided the strongest resistance. De Silva made 59 from 151 balls, while Dinusha scored 84 from 128 deliveries. Their efforts delayed India’s victory but could not change the direction of the match.
Once the pair were separated, Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed rapidly. Dickwella was dismissed for 10, Nuwantha made 20 and the remaining batters could not stay with the chase.
India’s bowling attack delivers across the Test
The victory was not built on one individual alone, even though Suthar’s 10-wicket match haul became the defining statistic. Jadeja provided control and important breakthroughs, while Siraj and Prasidh Krishna supplied pressure with the ball.
Suthar finished the match with 10 wickets, taking 4 for 76 in the first innings and 6 for 55 in the second. The performance marked his second five-wicket haul in only two Tests.
Jadeja’s contribution was also significant. He took three wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings and removed Dhananjaya de Silva in the second innings at a crucial stage.
Siraj’s economy was particularly impressive in the final innings, as he conceded only 15 runs from nine overs while taking one wicket. Prasidh Krishna also took two wickets in Sri Lanka’s chase.
Full scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test
India first innings — 462
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | run out | 32 | 37 |
| KL Rahul | c KNM Fernando b Nuwantha | 82 | 175 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | st Dickwella b Jayasuriya | 167 | 230 |
| Shubman Gill | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 16 | 28 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Dinusha b Nuwantha | 39 | 62 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c de Silva b Jayasuriya | 51 | 68 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | lbw b Nuwantha | 13 | 25 |
| Manav Suthar | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 24 | 43 |
| Mohammed Siraj | c de Silva b AM Fernando | 11 | 15 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | not out | 13 | 14 |
| Prasidh Krishna | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 2 | 7 |
| Extras | 12 | ||
| Total | 116.4 overs | 462 |
India first-innings bowling figures
| Sri Lanka bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 17.4 | 63 | 2 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 13 | 76 | 0 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | 39 | 175 | 3 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 39 | 109 | 4 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| Sonal Dinusha | 4 | 17 | 0 |
Sri Lanka first innings — 284
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka Fernando | c Padikkal b Mohammed Siraj | 0 | 2 |
| Lahiru Udara Igalagamage | c Jaiswal b Suthar | 27 | 44 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Pant b Suthar | 4 | 16 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Shubman Gill b Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 25 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | c Rahul b Jadeja | 21 | 41 |
| Sonal Dinusha | lbw b Jadeja | 100 | 168 |
| Niroshan Dickwella | c Pant b Prasidh Krishna | 80 | 115 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | c Shubman Gill b Jadeja | 2 | 18 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | c Jurel b Suthar | 10 | 43 |
| Lahiru Kumara | st Pant b Suthar | 10 | 5 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 0 | 5 |
| Extras | 16 | ||
| Total | 79.4 overs | 284 |
Sri Lanka first-innings bowling figures
| India bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 | 29 | 1 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 14 | 47 | 1 |
| Manav Suthar | 21.4 | 76 | 4 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 65 | 1 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 21 | 57 | 3 |
India second innings — 193
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 0 | 3 |
| KL Rahul | c sub Rathnayaka b Jayasuriya | 35 | 47 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | lbw b Nuwantha | 44 | 75 |
| Shubman Gill | lbw b Jayasuriya | 8 | 20 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Dickwella b Kumara | 66 | 69 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 7 | 15 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | c sub Sooriyabandara b Kumara | 9 | 19 |
| Manav Suthar | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 9 | 25 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | c de Silva b Jayasuriya | 5 | 10 |
| Mohammed Siraj | not out | 2 | 6 |
| Prasidh Krishna | c Kumara b AM Fernando | 2 | 7 |
| Extras | 6 | ||
| Total | 48.5 overs | 193 |
India second-innings bowling figures
| Sri Lanka bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 8.5 | 31 | 4 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | 23 | 86 | 1 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 11 | 43 | 3 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 5 | 28 | 2 |
Sri Lanka second innings — 206
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka Fernando | c Prasidh Krishna b Mohammed Siraj | 6 | 27 |
| Lahiru Udara Igalagamage | c Jurel b Suthar | 16 | 58 |
| Pasindu Sooriyabandara | lbw b Suthar | 0 | 1 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Rahul b Prasidh Krishna | 2 | 12 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | c Suthar b Jadeja | 59 | 151 |
| Sonal Dinusha | c Jurel b Suthar | 84 | 128 |
| Niroshan Dickwella | c Pant b Prasidh Krishna | 10 | 17 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | b Suthar | 20 | 69 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | b Suthar | 0 | 1 |
| Lahiru Kumara | c Pant b Suthar | 0 | 4 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 0 | 1 |
| Extras | 9 | ||
| Total | 77.4 overs | 206 |
India second-innings bowling figures
| India bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 | 15 | 1 |
| Manav Suthar | 23.4 | 55 | 6 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 14 | 47 | 2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 21 | 57 | 3 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 65 | 1 |
Match result and key figures
| Match detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st Test, India tour of Sri Lanka |
| Venue | Galle |
| Dates | August 15-19, 2026 |
| India first innings | 462 |
| Sri Lanka first innings | 284 |
| India second innings | 193 |
| Sri Lanka second innings | 206 |
| Target | 372 |
| Result | India won by 165 runs |
| Manav Suthar’s match wickets | 10 |
| Highest score | Devdutt Padikkal — 167 |
| Sri Lanka’s highest score | Sonal Dinusha — 100 in first innings |
Why the Galle victory matters for India
The result gives India an important win for a young team in transition. The side had entered the Test after losing two of its previous three series in spin-friendly conditions at home, making the performance in Galle particularly significant.
India also had to deal with interruptions and difficult weather conditions during the Test. Despite those complications, the visitors maintained enough control to build a substantial first-innings lead and then use their bowling resources effectively.
The emergence of Suthar was the biggest positive. His combination of bounce, turn, pace variation and accuracy gave India a match-winning option on a surface where patience was as important as attacking intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was India’s standout performer in the Galle Test?
Manav Suthar was India’s standout performer with the ball. He took four wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings and six more in the second, finishing with 10 wickets in the match.
What target did Sri Lanka have to chase in the fourth innings?
Sri Lanka needed 372 runs to win the Test after India were dismissed for 193 in their second innings. Sri Lanka eventually reached 206 before being bowled out, giving India a 165-run victory.
India complete a convincing Test victory
India’s 165-run win in Galle combined strong first-innings batting with disciplined bowling and a decisive final-day spell from Suthar. Padikkal’s 167 established the platform, while Pant’s second-innings 66 helped India set a demanding target.
Sri Lanka showed considerable resistance through Dinusha and de Silva, but Suthar’s late burst ended the contest. The 10-wicket match haul makes the young spinner the central figure of India’s opening Test victory on the tour.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
