India put their best foot forward and always believed they could pull off a sensational win at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka during the first Test match. India go up 1-0 and celebrate Test #600 with a 165-run margin all thanks to Player of the Match Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 and Manav Suthar’s 10 wicket haul (4/76 and 6/55).  

Day 1: Padikkal smashes maiden century, KL Rahul’s classic half-ton

Galle was the lucky venue in Sri Lanka to witness a Devdutt Padikkal run fest, his very first Test ton was an absolute delight for Indian fans. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India lost the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal early on. Further, walking in at number three, Padikkal along with KL Rahul steadied the Indian ship by stitching a 150 runs partnership. The former remained unbeaten on 131 in 178 deliveries, aced with 12 fours and one six while KL contributed a handy 77 before being retired hurt. Indeed, a gritty knock from Padikkal… taking the attack back to the opposition with skill, grace and growing authority. India, ended day one with 288/2 in 73 overs. Prabath Jayasuriya picked one wicket.

Day 2: India put up strong total despite rain playing spoil sport

Though the first one and a half sessions on day 2 were washed out due to rain, India held their own ground. Resuming their batting, Padikkal ensured the visitors had the upper hand as he continued his brilliant batting heroics… notching up 167 before being stumped by Niroshan Dickwella. KL on the other hand was caught on 82. Dhruv Jurel too played well en route his half ton, 51(68) along with one six and four boundaries. Left arm orthodox Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers snapping up a four-wicket haul, 4/109. India ended with 460/9 at stumps in 116 overs.

Day 3: Sri Lanka’s Dinusha makes fighting century, Suthar-Jadeja grab seven wickets

India ended their first innings on 462 in 116.4 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka found themselves on the backfoot and were reeling at 90/5 in 26.1 overs. But from there on, Sonal Dinusha along with Niroshan Dickwella stitched a 146 runs stand to put the Lankan lions back on track. The former made 100 while the latter contributed 80. The Indian bowlers were extremely accurate with their bowling plans in place. With added turn generated, the opposition were foxed as spin twins Manav Suthar picked (4/76) while Ravindra Jadeja snapped up (3/57). At the end of day three, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in 79.4 overs.

Day 4: Rishabh Pant steals the limelight, India firmly in control

Batting again during their second innings, India made 193 in 48.5 overs. Rishabh Pant starred with the bat, making a crucial 66 in 69 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes. In the process, Pant also notched up 100 sixes in Test match cricket. The first Indian and the fastest ever to reach the milestone. Padikkal carried on from where he left off, with a good 75-balls 44. Asitha Fernando snapped four key wickets. When the Lankan lions came out to chase down the total during the final innings, they ended the day with 84/4 in 34 overs with India just needing six wickets to garner victory.

Day 5: Manav Suthar bags six wickets haul, India wins first Test

India looked to add tremendous pressure on the Lankans from the start of the final day. The hosts hung in there and in no way were ready to give up. Manav Suthar had other plans and struck thrice during the 76th over, thus grabbing six wickets during the final innings. He picked a total of ten wickets during the contest. India eventually bundled out their opposition for 206 in 77.4 overs and won the contest by 165 runs.  

Brief Scores:

India: 462 in 116.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 167, KL Rahul 82; Prabath Jayasuriya 4/109) and 193 in 48.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 66; Asitha Fernando 4/31) beat Sri Lanka: 284 in 79.4 overs (Sonal Dinusha 100; Manav Suthar 4/76) and 206 in 77.4 overs (Sonal Dinusha 84, Dhananjaya de Silva 59; Manav Suthar 6/55) by 165 runs.