India secured a resounding victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle, winning by 165 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, playing only his second Test, was the star of the show, claiming a match haul of 10 wickets. He took four in the first innings and followed up with 6-55 in the second, bowling out the hosts for 206 shortly after lunch on the final day.
Chasing a target of 372, Sri Lanka's batsmen failed to apply themselves, with the exception of Sonal Dinusha, who top-scored in both innings.
Indian captain Shubman Gill described the victory as "very satisfying". "We were in a comfortable position but were not sure if the match would go on because of the weather, but the team responded well," he said.
Gill also praised Suthar and the batsmen for their efforts on a pitch that was not easy to score runs on. "He has been bowling magnificently. Looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a long time," he added.
India claimed two wickets in the morning session after Sri Lanka resumed on 84-4, and then quickly ran through the tail. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and first-innings centurion Dinusha fought back, adding 95 runs for the fifth wicket in over two hours.
De Silva, who had been reprieved early in his innings off a no-ball, looked set to make the most of it, posting his 20th half-century. But his knock ended when he attempted a sweep off Ravindra Jadeja and was caught at short fine leg by Suthar.
"It was not easy batting fourth in Galle," said de Silva. "They won the toss, got the runs on the board, and with our batting, we lost wickets, and it went downhill from there."
Suthar triggered a late-order collapse with a triple-wicket maiden after lunch, and then in his next over claimed the last wicket of Keshara Nuwantha. The last four wickets fell for just seven runs, all to Suthar.
Dinusha (84) showed maturity beyond his age, taking on India's spinners with nimble footwork. He was dismissed when Dhruv Jurel took a bat-pad catch at leg slip. He faced 128 balls, hitting eight fours and one six.
Another standout performer for India was Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 167 and 44, coming in as a late injury replacement. "The wicket had its natural wear and tear, but it was a good Test wicket. Turned a lot more from the third day onwards. In the end, it was all about who came out on top with their skill-set," he said.
The teams now head to Colombo for the second Test, starting on Sunday.
Source: www.aljazeera.com