IND vs SL 2026: India Beat Sri Lanka by 165 Runs in Galle to Take 1-0 Lead

India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the 2026 series. Devdutt Padikkal’s brilliant 167 and Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket match haul powered India to victory.

India posted 462 in their first innings, with Padikkal leading the way with a superb 167 off 230 balls. He scored his maiden Test century and helped India build a strong total.

KL Rahul added a composed 82 before briefly retiring hurt with cramps, while Dhruv Jurel made a valuable 51. Prabath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s best bowler, finishing with 4/109.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 90/5 in their first innings as India’s spinners made early inroads. Manav Suthar took 4/76, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3/57 and completed 350 Test wickets.

However, debutant Sonal Dinusha produced a superb response with his maiden Test century. His 100, along with Niroshan Dickwella’s 80, helped Sri Lanka recover through a 146-run partnership and reach 284.

India then set up the chase with a total of 193 in their second innings. Rishabh Pant led the counter-attack with 66 off 69 balls and became the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.

Asitha Fernando kept Sri Lanka in the contest with a fine spell of 4/31. His wickets helped bowl India out and gave the hosts a target of 372 runs to win the Test.

Sri Lanka showed strong resistance on the final morning as Dhananjaya de Silva scored 59 and Dinusha made 84. The pair kept India’s victory on hold before Suthar turned the match decisively after lunch.

Suthar claimed 6/55 in the second innings to finish with 10 wickets in the match. He bowled Keshara Nuwantha to complete the win and seal a memorable 165-run victory for India.