India’s spinners ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order with a devastating display of spin bowling as the visitors reduced the hosts to 99/5 in 28 overs at lunch on day three of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium in Galle on Monday.
Suthar Shines with Early Breakthroughs in Match
In a commanding performance, Suthar made an immediate impact by taking a wicket with his very first delivery. He drew Dinesh Chandimal forward with a well-executed drift and spin, resulting in a glove edge that was expertly caught by Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. Suthar continued to apply pressure with his consistent accuracy, dismissing Lahiru Udara for 27 runs. Udara misplayed a cut shot off a bouncing and turning delivery, leading to a straightforward catch at backward point.
At 53/3, Sri Lanka needed a partnership to stabilise their innings, but Indian captain Shubman Gill produced a moment of brilliance in the field to dent the hosts further. Diving full length to his left at short extra cover, Gill plucked a stunning one-handed catch inches above the turf to dismiss Kamindu Mendis for 14 on Kuldeep’s bowling. Operating with a tight stump-to-stump line, Jadeja extracted sharp turn to catch the outside edge of Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva (21), with KL Rahul diving low at first slip to complete the catch and get another session in India’s favour.
Jadeja then joined in to complete a dominant display in the first session just three minutes before the lunch break.
