India Beat Sri Lanka in 600th Test as Manav Suthar Takes 10 Wickets

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced a stellar performance with 10 wickets, helping India secure a commanding 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Suthar, playing only his second Test, impressed with his control and accuracy, playing a key role in India's memorable win in their 600th Test match, which concluded on Wednesday.

He took four wickets in the first innings and continued his excellent form with a second-innings haul of 6-55, bowling out the hosts for 206 shortly after lunch on the final day.

Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka's batters lacked the necessary application, with the notable exception of Sonal Dinusha, who top-scored in both innings.

India captain Shubman Gill called the victory "very satisfying."

"We were in a good position but weren't sure if the match would continue (due to weather), but the team responded really well," he said.

Gill also praised Suthar and the batters for their efforts on a challenging pitch.

"He bowled brilliantly. He looks very promising and could play for India for a long time," he added.

India picked up two wickets in the morning session after Sri Lanka resumed on 84-4, then quickly wrapped up the hosts' innings.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Dinusha, who had scored a century in the first innings, resisted with a 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket spanning over two hours.

De Silva, who had earlier been reprieved by a no-ball, seemed set to make the most of his luck as he brought up his 20th Test fifty.

However, his innings ended when a sweep shot was caught by Suthar at short fine leg.

"It wasn't easy (batting in the fourth innings at Galle)," de Silva admitted.

"They won the toss, put runs on the board, and with our performance, we kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and things only got worse from there."

Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella had made a half-century in the first innings but failed to have an impact in the second.

Dickwella departed for 10 when he attempted to cut but was caught behind.

Suthar triggered a collapse at the tail end, taking three wickets in a burst after lunch, and then claimed the final wicket of Keshara Nuwantha as Sri Lanka crumbled just 36 minutes after the break.

The hosts' last four wickets fell for just seven runs, with Suthar claiming all of them.

The 25-year-old Dinusha (84) made a commendable effort despite receiving little support from his teammates.

Playing in only his fourth Test, he displayed maturity beyond his years against India's spinners with nimble footwork.

He was dismissed when Dhruv Jurel took a catch at leg slip. He faced 128 balls in his defiant knock, hitting eight fours and a six.

Apart from Suthar, another bright spot for India was top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 167 and 44 in the match, brought in as a late replacement for an injured player.

"The pitch had natural wear (but) it was a good Test pitch," Padikkal said.

"It spun more from day three onwards. In the end, it was about who coped better with their skills."

The two teams now move to Colombo for the second Test, starting Sunday.