India’s spinners tightened their grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka as Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja combined for seven wickets to bowl the hosts out for 284 on a rain-hit third day in Galle on Monday. Sri Lanka’s resistance, led by a maiden international hundred from Sonal Dinusha and a composed 80 from Niroshan Dickwella, prevented India from forcing an even bigger advantage, but the visitors still secured a substantial 178-run first-innings lead.India had appeared on course for a much shorter innings when Sri Lanka slipped to 99/5 by lunch. Suthar spearheaded the early assault with flight, dip and turn, while the Indian attack maintained relentless pressure on a pitch that continued to offer enough assistance to the spinners.But Dinusha and Dickwella changed the complexion of the innings with a superb sixth-wicket partnership. The pair added 146 runs from 216 balls, frustrating India through a combination of patience, disciplined shot selection and effective use of the sweep.
Dinusha, Dickwella delay Sri Lanka collapse
Unlike several of Sri Lanka’s top-order batters, Dinusha and Dickwella refused to attack deliveries away from their bodies and were willing to wait for scoring opportunities. Both used the sweep effectively against the Indian spinners, repeatedly finding runs from around the stumps.Dickwella brought up his half-century from 67 balls, while Dinusha took 92 deliveries to reach the milestone. Their partnership extended into the second session, with Sri Lanka adding 116 runs without losing a wicket.India eventually broke through early in the final session. Dickwella, who had been dropped on 20 by KL Rahul at slip off Suthar, edged Prasidh Krishna through to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant after reaching 80 off 115 balls.Dinusha continued to frustrate the visitors, completing his maiden international century from 167 balls. His resistance, however, lasted only one more delivery. Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket, ending a remarkable 100-run innings off 168 balls.The partnership had showcased a vastly different approach from Sri Lanka’s top order, whose aggressive strokeplay often saw them driving away from their bodies and finding Indian fielders.
Suthar leads spin assault
India’s bowlers had made the breakthrough almost immediately after their first innings ended at 462. Sri Lanka needed a strong opening partnership but instead lost Nishan Fernando to Siraj with only the second ball of the innings.Suthar then made an immediate impact with his first delivery, finding a faint edge from Dinesh Chandimal that nestled safely in Pant’s gloves. The young left-arm spinner continued to trouble the batters with impressive control, consistently bowling above 85 kmph while extracting turn and dip.Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis briefly threatened to stabilise the innings, with both finding boundaries and Mendis pulling Prasidh for a six. But Suthar eventually removed Udara, who mistimed a swish to gully.Mendis then fell to Kuldeep Yadav after an uppish push was brilliantly held by a diving Shubman Gill. Jadeja joined the wicket-takers by dismissing Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21, feathering an edge through to Rahul at slip.Suthar finished with 4/76, while Jadeja claimed 3/57, underlining India’s dominance with spin. Sri Lanka’s late resistance ensured the lead did not become overwhelming, but India remain firmly in command after a third day repeatedly interrupted by rain.
