GALLE, Sri Lanka — India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Manav Suthar produced a historic 10-wicket performance as India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle on August 19, 2026, becoming the Indian bowler with the best match figures in Sri Lanka. Suthar returned figures of 4 for 76 in the first innings and 6 for 55 in the second to finish with 10 for 131, surpassing the previous best 10-wicket figures in Sri Lanka recorded by Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin.
- Manav Suthar finished with 10 for 131, the best match bowling figures by an Indian bowler in Sri Lanka.
- Suthar became the third Indian after Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin to take a 10-wicket haul in Sri Lanka.
- Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 helped India post 462 before Sri Lanka were dismissed for 284.
- Sri Lanka were set 372 to win but were bowled out for 206, giving India a 165-run victory.
Manav Suthar surpasses Ashwin and Harbhajan
The Galle Test belonged to Suthar after the 24-year-old left-arm spinner repeatedly found ways to trouble Sri Lanka’s batters. His combined figures of 10 for 131 moved him ahead of two of India’s most successful spinners in terms of match figures achieved in Sri Lanka.
Harbhajan Singh had previously taken 10 for 153 at Galle in 2008, while Ashwin finished with 10 for 160 at the same venue in 2015. Suthar’s 10 for 131 therefore became the best match figures by an Indian bowler in Sri Lanka.
Suthar also joined an exclusive group of Indian bowlers to have taken 10 wickets in a Test in Sri Lanka. According to the supplied statistics, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have two such 10-wicket hauls each against Sri Lanka, while Maninder Singh, Venkatapathy Raju, Ashwin and Suthar have one apiece.
The achievement came in only Suthar’s second Test. He also became one of the Indian bowlers to collect multiple five-wicket hauls within their first two Tests, joining Narendra Hirwani, Axar Patel, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Mohammad Nissar among those listed in the supplied statistics.
Suthar’s second innings spell destroys Sri Lanka’s lower order
Sri Lanka entered the final day still in contention for a draw after Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha had frustrated India for much of the morning. The pair added a substantial partnership and forced India’s bowlers to maintain their discipline on a slow surface.
Ravindra Jadeja eventually broke the partnership by dismissing de Silva. The Sri Lankan captain had survived an earlier opportunity when Jadeja had overstepped, but the Indian spinner returned to remove him for 59.
Dinusha continued to resist and looked capable of taking the game deep. He had already scored a century in the first innings and was again approaching three figures when Suthar found the breakthrough.
Dinusha was caught at leg gully for 84, bringing an important partnership to an end. Suthar then took control of the innings, claiming three wickets in the same over during Sri Lanka’s collapse.
He eventually removed Prabath Jayasuriya for a golden duck and dismissed Lahiru Kumara as well. Keshara Nuwantha was the final Sri Lankan batter dismissed, leaving Sri Lanka all out for 206 in 77.4 overs.
The final wicket completed Suthar’s maiden Test 10-wicket haul. India did not need the second new ball, despite having planned around the possibility of using it if the partnership continued.
India’s batting creates the platform
India won the toss and elected to bat first, making the decision count with a total of 462. Devdutt Padikkal produced the defining batting performance of the match, scoring 167 from 230 balls with 15 fours and a six.
KL Rahul provided valuable support with 82 from 175 deliveries, while Dhruv Jurel added 51 from 68 balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal also made 32 at the top of the order.
India’s total was built through long periods of application rather than unrestricted strokeplay. The Galle surface offered opportunities for both spin and pace, making it important for batters to commit to a clear method against the different forms of bowling.
Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker was Prabath Jayasuriya, who finished with four wickets for 109 runs. Debutant Keshara Nuwantha took three wickets for 175 runs, while Asitha Fernando claimed two.
Dinusha and Dickwella rescue Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s first innings began poorly as India reduced the hosts to 90 for five. The innings appeared to be heading towards a heavy deficit before Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella changed the momentum.
Dinusha scored 100 from 168 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Dickwella made 80 from 115 deliveries and struck seven fours.
The pair put together a 146-run partnership that lifted Sri Lanka out of immediate danger and ensured that they avoided the follow-on. Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 284, leaving India with a 178-run first-innings lead.
Suthar played a central role in the Indian attack, taking four wickets for 76 runs. Jadeja claimed three for 57, while Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav also contributed wickets.
India’s second innings produces a challenging target
India’s second innings was less productive with the bat, but Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 66 gave the visitors the acceleration they needed. Pant scored his runs from 69 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
Padikkal followed his first-innings 167 with 44 from 75 balls, while Rahul contributed 35 from 47 deliveries. The rest of the Indian batting line-up struggled to build substantial partnerships.
India were eventually dismissed for 193 in 48.5 overs, setting Sri Lanka a target of 372. Asitha Fernando led the home attack with four wickets for 31 runs, while Jayasuriya took three and Lahiru Kumara claimed two.
The target was demanding on a Galle pitch that had begun to offer more assistance to spin as the Test progressed. Sri Lanka needed a major fourth-innings batting effort to prevent India from taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Sri Lanka’s chase starts badly
The hosts lost wickets regularly during the early stages of the chase. Sri Lanka slipped to 47 for four before Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha began rebuilding the innings.
De Silva eventually scored 59 from 151 balls, while Dinusha added 84 from 128 deliveries. Their partnership gave Sri Lanka a realistic chance of taking the Test into the final session and potentially saving the match.
The pair’s resistance also highlighted the importance of having a defined batting plan against India’s spin attack. Rahul later pointed to Dinusha’s use of sweeps and footwork as an example of how batters could score on the surface if they committed fully to their methods.
Once Jadeja removed de Silva and Suthar dismissed Dinusha, however, Sri Lanka’s lower order could not reproduce the same resistance. India moved quickly towards the finish and completed the win shortly after lunch.
Galle surface rewarded patience and skill
Padikkal described the pitch as a good Test wicket that changed gradually through natural wear and tear. He said the surface began turning more from the third day onwards, while also explaining that it remained possible for committed batters to score runs.
Rahul similarly described the pitch as one where both batters and bowlers could have an impact. According to him, players who entered with a clear plan against spin or pace were better positioned to succeed.
The supplied statistics also highlight Galle’s particular relationship with sweep shots against spin. Since January 2007, batters in Tests at the venue have attempted sweeps against spin on 6.8% of deliveries, the highest rate among venues with at least 10 Tests during that period.
Of the 13 instances in which a batter has accumulated at least 60 runs through sweep shots against spin across both innings of a Test since 2007, seven have occurred at Galle, according to the supplied statistics.
India’s 600th Test ends in victory
The Galle victory was also significant because it was India’s 600th Test match. The supplied historical breakdown shows how India’s results have evolved across six blocks of 100 Tests.
| Tests | Wins | Defeats | Draws | Other | W/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-100 | 10 | 40 | 50 | — | 0.25 |
| 101-200 | 25 | 32 | 43 | — | 0.781 |
| 201-300 | 21 | 26 | 52 | 1 tied | 0.807 |
| 301-400 | 32 | 31 | 37 | — | 1.032 |
| 401-500 | 42 | 28 | 30 | — | 1.5 |
| 501-600 | 57 | 31 | 2 | — | 1.838 |
Across the 600 Tests listed in the supplied statistics, India have recorded 187 wins, 188 defeats, one tie and 244 draws. The tied match came against Australia in Chennai in 1986.
India’s 12 points from the Galle victory were celebrated by the team after the final wicket. The players congratulated Padikkal for his match-winning batting contribution before turning their attention to Suthar, who raised the match ball for the cameras.
Shubman Gill praises Suthar and Padikkal
India captain Shubman Gill was particularly impressed with Suthar’s progress. Speaking after the match, Gill said the spinner had been bowling magnificently and described him as a promising player who could represent India for a long time.
“He’s been bowling magnificently… He looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a very long time.”
Gill also praised Padikkal for converting his hundred into a much larger score in the first innings and contributing again in the second innings. He said the win was especially satisfying because Test victories do not come easily.
On India’s second-innings batting collapse, Gill said the team had deliberately attempted to score more aggressively to create enough time to bowl Sri Lanka out. He said the pitch was not easy for unrestricted scoring and that the team’s overall position remained comfortable despite the wickets.
Padikkal reflects on his match-winning performance
Player of the Match Padikkal said the Galle Test was another demanding venue in his career after earlier Tests in Dharamshala and Perth. He said he could not have asked for anything better from the match after India’s victory.
Padikkal also discussed how the pitch changed during the five days. He said the surface experienced natural wear and tear and began turning more from the third day, while describing it as a good Test wicket throughout the match.
He also explained that the slow nature of the surface made it easier for some left-handed batters to negotiate left-arm spin because they could handle the bowling without as much bite coming from the pitch.
Dhananjaya says Sri Lanka fought hard
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva acknowledged that his team remained in the contest for significant periods after the second day. He said the players fought hard even during the fourth innings despite the difficulty of batting late in a Galle Test.
De Silva also acknowledged the importance of the toss. India won the toss, scored heavily and then put Sri Lanka under pressure after the hosts lost early wickets.
His own 59 and Dinusha’s second-innings 84 briefly revived Sri Lanka’s hopes, but the partnership could not carry the hosts through to the end.
KL Rahul highlights India’s patience
KL Rahul said India were conscious of the weather throughout the final day, with clouds creating uncertainty over how much play would remain available. He said the team wanted to take wickets quickly rather than allow the match to drift.
India’s approach was nevertheless built around patience. Rahul explained that the bowling group knew the second new ball could become an important option if the partnership continued, but the immediate plan was to keep delivering in the right areas and wait for a breakthrough.
That approach eventually worked. Jadeja removed de Silva, Suthar dismissed Dinusha and the remaining Sri Lankan batting order collapsed rapidly.
Galle’s record for decisive Tests
The supplied statistics show that Galle has produced relatively few drawn Tests in recent years. Of the 28 Tests played at the venue since 2014, only one has ended in a draw, with that match affected by rain.
Across venues with at least 30 Tests, Galle has a 14% draw rate according to the supplied figures, with seven drawn Tests out of 50. Centurion and Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur are listed at 10%, while the Melbourne Cricket Ground is listed at 14.40%.
The latest Galle Test again produced a decisive result, with India completing the victory before the weather could become a major factor. Rain arrived roughly five minutes after the final wicket, according to the supplied match commentary.
Manav Suthar’s historic figures in numbers
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| First innings | 4/76 |
| Second innings | 6/55 |
| Match figures | 10/131 |
| Harbhajan Singh’s previous Galle 10-fer | 10/153 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin’s previous Galle 10-fer | 10/160 |
| Age at achievement | 24 years, 16 days |
| Tests played | 2 |
Suthar’s achievement is even more notable in the context of India’s away 10-wicket hauls. He became the seventh Indian spinner listed in the supplied statistics to take a 10-wicket match haul in an away Test after Ashwin, Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
At 24 years and 16 days, Suthar is listed as the only one among those Indian spinners to have achieved an away 10-wicket haul before turning 28.
Full India vs Sri Lanka Galle Test scorecard
India first innings — 462
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | run out | 32 | 37 | 5 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | c KNM Fernando b Nuwantha | 82 | 175 | 10 | 1 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | st Dickwella b Jayasuriya | 167 | 230 | 15 | 1 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 16 | 28 | 2 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Dinusha b Nuwantha | 39 | 62 | 4 | 1 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c de Silva b Jayasuriya | 51 | 68 | 4 | 1 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | lbw b Nuwantha | 13 | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| Manav Suthar | c Igalagamage b Jayasuriya | 24 | 43 | 2 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | c de Silva b AM Fernando | 11 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | not out | 13 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Prasidh Krishna | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 12 | ||||
| Total | 116.4 overs | 462 |
Sri Lanka first innings — 284
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka Fernando | c Padikkal b Mohammed Siraj | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lahiru Udara Igalagamage | c Jaiswal b Suthar | 27 | 44 | 6 | 0 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Pant b Suthar | 4 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Shubman Gill b Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c) | c Rahul b Jadeja | 21 | 41 | 4 | 0 |
| Sonal Dinusha | lbw b Jadeja | 100 | 168 | 4 | 2 |
| Niroshan Dickwella | c Pant b Prasidh Krishna | 80 | 115 | 7 | 0 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | c Shubman Gill b Jadeja | 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | c Jurel b Suthar | 10 | 43 | 2 | 0 |
| Lahiru Kumara | st Pant b Suthar | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 16 | ||||
| Total | 79.4 overs | 284 |
India bowling — Sri Lanka first innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 | 29 | 1 | 3.22 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 14 | 47 | 1 | 3.35 |
| Manav Suthar | 21.4 | 76 | 4 | 3.50 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 65 | 1 | 4.64 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 21 | 57 | 3 | 2.71 |
India second innings — 193
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | c sub Rathnayaka b Jayasuriya | 35 | 47 | 2 | 2 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | lbw b Nuwantha | 44 | 75 | 6 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | lbw b Jayasuriya | 8 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Dickwella b Kumara | 66 | 69 | 8 | 2 |
| Dhruv Jurel | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 7 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | c sub Sooriyabandara b Kumara | 9 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Manav Suthar | c Dickwella b AM Fernando | 9 | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | c de Silva b Jayasuriya | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | not out | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Prasidh Krishna | c Kumara b AM Fernando | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 6 | ||||
| Total | 48.5 overs | 193 |
Sri Lanka bowling — India second innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 8.5 | 31 | 4 | 3.50 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | 23 | 86 | 1 | 3.73 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 11 | 43 | 3 | 3.90 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 5 | 28 | 2 | 5.60 |
Sri Lanka second innings — 206
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka Fernando | c Prasidh Krishna b Mohammed Siraj | 6 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Lahiru Udara Igalagamage | c Jurel b Suthar | 16 | 58 | 1 | 0 |
| Pasindu Sooriyabandara | lbw b Suthar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Rahul b Prasidh Krishna | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c) | c Suthar b Jadeja | 59 | 151 | 7 | 0 |
| Sonal Dinusha | c Jurel b Suthar | 84 | 128 | 8 | 1 |
| Niroshan Dickwella | c Pant b Prasidh Krishna | 10 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Keshara Nuwantha | b Suthar | 20 | 69 | 3 | 0 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | b Suthar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lahiru Kumara | c Pant b Suthar | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 9 | ||||
| Total | 77.4 overs | 206 |
India bowling — Sri Lanka second innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 | 15 | 1 | 1.66 |
| Manav Suthar | 23.4 | 55 | 6 | 2.32 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 10 | 16 | 2 | 1.60 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 23 | 71 | 1 | 3.08 |
India vs Sri Lanka first Test result
| Match Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st Test, India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| 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 |
| Series | India lead 1-0 in the two-Test series |
| Player of the Match | Devdutt Padikkal |
| Leading wicket-taker | Manav Suthar — 10 wickets |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Manav Suthar’s best bowling figures in the Galle Test?
Manav Suthar took 4 for 76 in Sri Lanka’s first innings and 6 for 55 in the second. His match figures were 10 for 131.
Which Indian bowlers previously took 10 wickets in Sri Lanka?
Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin had previously taken 10-wicket match hauls for India in Sri Lanka. The supplied statistics also list Anil Kumble, Maninder Singh and Venkatapathy Raju among India’s 10-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka.
How many runs did India need to win the Galle Test?
India set Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs after being dismissed for 193 in their second innings. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206, leaving India with a 165-run victory.
Who scored the most runs for India in the Galle Test?
Devdutt Padikkal was India’s leading run-scorer. He made 167 in the first innings and followed it with 44 in the second, while also receiving the Player of the Match award.
India leave Galle with a 1-0 lead
India’s 165-run victory gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series and added a significant milestone to their 600-Test journey. The result was built on Padikkal’s commanding first-innings century, useful contributions from Rahul, Jurel and Pant, and a disciplined bowling attack.
But the defining individual performance came from Suthar. His 10 for 131 not only secured the victory but also placed him above Ashwin and Harbhajan in India’s best match bowling figures in Sri Lanka.
The final wicket arrived shortly before rain interrupted the day, meaning India’s players had completed the job before the weather could intervene. Suthar’s performance now stands as one of the most significant early milestones of his Test career.
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.
