IND vs SL 1st Test: Suthar, Jadeja spin India into commanding 178-run lead over Sri Lanka in Galle

Times of India Published Aug 17, 2026 Reviewed Aug 17, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja combined for seven wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out for 284 on a rain‑hit third day in Galle on Monday.

7 · Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja284 runs · Sri Lanka

India secured a 178‑run first‑innings lead over Sri Lanka.

178 runs · India

Sri Lanka slipped to 99 runs for 5 wickets by lunch.

99 runs · Sri Lanka5 wickets · Sri Lanka

Dinesh Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella added 146 runs from 216 balls in a sixth‑wicket partnership.

146 runs · Dinesh Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella216 balls · Dinesh Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella

Niroshan Dickwella reached a half‑century from 67 balls.

67 balls · Niroshan Dickwella

Dinesh Dinusha reached a half‑century from 92 deliveries.

92 deliveries · Dinesh Dinusha

Niroshan Dickwella reached 80 runs off 115 balls.

80 runs · Niroshan Dickwella115 balls · Niroshan Dickwella

Dinesh Dinusha completed his maiden international century from 167 balls.

100 runs · Dinesh Dinusha167 balls · Dinesh Dinusha

Ravindra Jadeja trapped Dinesh Dinusha leg before wicket, ending a 100‑run innings off 168 balls.

100 runs · Ravindra Jadeja168 balls · Ravindra Jadeja

Manav Suthar finished with 4 wickets for 76 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3 wickets for 57 runs.

4 wickets · Manav Suthar76 runs · Manav Suthar3 wickets · Ravindra Jadeja57 runs · Ravindra Jadeja

Sri Lanka lost Nishan Fernando to Siraj on the second ball of the innings.

1 wicket · Sri Lanka2 balls · Sri Lanka

Manav Suthar made an immediate impact with his first delivery, finding a faint edge from Dinesh Chandimal that nestled safely in Pant’s gloves.

1 delivery · Manav Suthar

Manav Suthar consistently bowled above 85 kmph while extracting turn and dip.

85 kmph · Manav Suthar

Mendis pulled Prasidh for a six.

1 six · Mendis

Manav Suthar removed Udara, who mistimed a swish to gully.

1 wicket · Manav Suthar

Mendis fell to Kuldeep Yadav after an uppish push was brilliantly held by a diving Shubman Gill.

1 wicket · Mendis

Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21 runs.

21 runs · Ravindra Jadeja

India’s spinners made the breakthrough almost immediately after their first innings ended at 462 runs.

462 runs · India

India’s spinners tightened their grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka as Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja combined for seven wickets to bowl the hosts out for 284 on a rain-hit third day in Galle on Monday. Sri Lanka’s resistance, led by a maiden international hundred from Sonal Dinusha and a composed 80 from Niroshan Dickwella, prevented India from forcing an even bigger advantage, but the visitors still secured a substantial 178-run first-innings lead.India had appeared on course for a much shorter innings when Sri Lanka slipped to 99/5 by lunch.

Suthar spearheaded the early assault with flight, dip and turn, while the Indian attack maintained relentless pressure on a pitch that continued to offer enough assistance to the spinners.But Dinusha and Dickwella changed the complexion of the innings with a superb sixth-wicket partnership. The pair added 146 runs from 216 balls, frustrating India through a combination of patience, disciplined shot selection and effective use of the sweep.Dinusha, Dickwella delay Sri Lanka collapseUnlike several of Sri Lanka’s top-order batters, Dinusha and Dickwella refused to attack deliveries away from their bodies and were willing to wait for scoring opportunities.

Both used the sweep effectively against the Indian spinners, repeatedly finding runs from around the stumps.Dickwella brought up his half-century from 67 balls, while Dinusha took 92 deliveries to reach the milestone. Their partnership extended into the second session, with Sri Lanka adding 116 runs without losing a wicket.India eventually broke through early in the final session.

Dickwella, who had been dropped on 20 by KL Rahul at slip off Suthar, edged Prasidh Krishna through to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant after reaching 80 off 115 balls.Dinusha continued to frustrate the visitors, completing his maiden international century from 167 balls. His resistance, however, lasted only one more delivery.

Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket, ending a remarkable 100-run innings off 168 balls.The partnership had showcased a vastly different approach from Sri Lanka’s top order, whose aggressive strokeplay often saw them driving away from their bodies and finding Indian fielders.Suthar leads spin assaultIndia’s bowlers had made the breakthrough almost immediately after their first innings ended at 462.

Sri Lanka needed a strong opening partnership but instead lost Nishan Fernando to Siraj with only the second ball of the innings.Suthar then made an immediate impact with his first delivery, finding a faint edge from Dinesh Chandimal that nestled safely in Pant’s gloves. The young left-arm spinner continued to trouble the batters with impressive control, consistently bowling above 85 kmph while extracting turn and dip.Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis briefly threatened to stabilise the innings, with both finding boundaries and Mendis pulling Prasidh for a six.

But Suthar eventually removed Udara, who mistimed a swish to gully.Mendis then fell to Kuldeep Yadav after an uppish push was brilliantly held by a diving Shubman Gill. Jadeja joined the wicket-takers by dismissing Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21, feathering an edge through to Rahul at slip.Suthar finished with 4/76, while Jadeja claimed 3/57, underlining India’s dominance with spin.

Sri Lanka’s late resistance ensured the lead did not become overwhelming, but India remain firmly in command after a third day repeatedly interrupted by rain.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

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