Suthar shines as India crush Sri Lanka in 600th Test

AFP | Galle

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Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar finished with 10 wickets as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test in Galle yesterday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Playing only his second Test, Suthar impressed with his line and length to ensure India a memorable win in their 600th Test match.

Suthar, 24, took four wickets in the first innings and kept up the onslaught to take 6-55, helping bowl out the hosts for 206 shortly after lunch on the final day.

Set a target of 372, Sri Lanka's batters failed to apply themselves other than Sonal Dinusha, who top-scored in both innings.

India captain Shubman Gill called the victory “very satisfying”.

“We were in a comfortable position but were not sure if the match would go on (because of weather), but the team responded well,” he said.

Gill praised Suthar and the batsmen for their effort on a wicket that was not easy to score runs off.

“He has been bowling magnificently. Looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a long time,” he said.

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 tried to fight back, batting for over two hours to add 95 runs for the fifth wicket.

De Silva, dismissed off a no-ball early in his innings, looked set to make the most of the reprieve, posting his 20th half-century.