CRICKET – Manv Suthar claimed six second-innings wickets in a spin-bowling masterclass to fashion India’s 165-run victory in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle yesterday.
Having set Sri Lanka a victory target of 372, India bowled out the hosts for 206 in the post-lunch session on the final day of the contest, minutes before rain started at the Galle International Stadium.
Left-arm spinner Suthar (6-55) finished with a 10-wicket match haul as the tourists grabbed a 1-0 lead in the two-match series following their comprehensive victory in India’s 600th Test.
“Just relieved, honestly,” said India vice captain KL Rahul, summing up his team’s mood after the win.
“We kept looking at the cloud upstairs and we knew there was one big shower coming, so we didn’t want to delay the game. We were trying to get the wickets as quickly as we can.”
Resuming on 84-4, Sri Lanka needed to bat out of their skin to save the match, possibly with some help from the weather.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Sonal Dinusha (84) struck fighting fifties and defied India with a 95-run stand for the fifth wicket until Ravindra Jadeja separated them.
The second and final Test begins in Colombo on Sunday.
&uuid=(email))