Suthar's spin masterclass helps India beat Sri Lanka

AFP

Manav Suthar has 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 on Wednesday.

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 it started raining 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.

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.

Once de Silva fluffed his sweep shot against Jadeja, India's victory looked just a matter of time.

Suthar missed a hat-trick but sent down a three-wicket over to send Sri Lanka hurtling towards defeat.

Playing just his second Test, the 24-year-old denied Dinusha his second hundred of the match and clean bowled Prabath Jayasuriya with the next delivery. Suthar sent back Lahiru Kumara with the final ball of that over and dismissed Keshara Nuwantha in the same fashion to seal India's victory.

The second and final Test begins in Colombo on Sunday.

More from Sports News

  • Emotional Federer full of love and gratitude at Hall of Fame induction

    An emotional Roger Federer said he was still writing his love letter to the sport that "meant the world" to him on Saturday as the 20-time Grand Slam champion was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

  • Vuelta leader Pogacar forced to abandon after stage eight crash

    Tadej Pogacar's bid to complete cycling's Grand Tour hat-trick came to a painful end at the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday when the race leader and five-time Tour de France winner crashed out with blood on his face and an injured shoulder.

  • Munoz's late strike earns Liverpool draw with Forest

    Liverpool's Victor Munoz has struck a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but Andoni Iraola's side were left still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after his first home league game in charge.

  • F1 Champion Norris extends McLaren contract to 2030

    Formula One world champion Lando Norris announced a contract extension with McLaren until at least the end of 2030 on Saturday, and said he would be happy to see out his career with a team that felt like home.

  • Liverpool finalise agreement to sign PSG's Barcola

    Liverpool have finalised an agreement to sign French forward Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St Germain in a deal worth up to £123 million (AED614 million), with the 23-year-old set to become the latest high-profile addition to Andoni Iraola's squad.

News