India register massive Test win in Galle

India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test of the two-match series in Galle, taking a 1-0 lead. With this victory, they moved up one spot to fifth in the ICC World Test Championship points table. India's points percentage now stands at 53.33. Above them in fourth place are Bangladesh, with a points percentage of 66.67.

The hero of India's victory in Galle was left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. He achieved the feat of taking 10 wickets in a match for the first time in his Test career. The young spinner dismantled Sri Lanka's batting line-up in the second innings, taking 6 wickets for 55 runs. Suthar, who made his Test debut against Afghanistan in June, had also taken four wickets in the first innings.

Sri Lanka were set a target of 372 runs for victory. At the end of the fourth day's play, the hosts had kept their hopes alive by reaching 180 runs for the loss of four wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha had put India under pressure with a 143-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Dhananjaya made 59 and Sonal made 84. However, Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership in the first session of the fifth day by dismissing Dhananjaya.

Suthar then triggered a collapse in Sri Lanka's batting, taking wickets in quick succession to bundle out the hosts for 206 runs, sealing a 165-run victory for India. Sri Lanka had scored 284 runs in their first innings.

The foundation for India's victory was laid by Devdutt Padikkal and Lokesh Rahul. India posted 462 runs in their first innings, built on Padikkal's 167 and Rahul's 82. Padikkal, who scored 211 runs across both innings, won the Player of the Match award.

This victory has given India a chance to bounce back in the current cycle of the Test Championship. Earlier, they had lost 2-0 to South Africa at home. The win in Galle has put India back in a strong position in the race to reach next year's Test Championship final. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have dropped to sixth place with a points percentage of 33.33.

The second and final Test of the two-match series will begin on August 23.