Cricket / Suthar, Jadeja Shine as India Seize Control against Sri Lanka despite Dinusha Ton, Take 178-Run Lead

Galle, Aug 17: India’s spinners dominated Day 3 of the first Test at Galle, bowling Sri Lanka out for 284 and securing a commanding 178‑run first‑innings lead before rain forced early stumps.

Left‑arm duo Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take seven wickets, dismantling Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order despite a valiant maiden century from all‑rounder Sonal Dinusha.

Suthar impressed with sharp turn and bounce to finish with 4‑76, while Jadeja claimed 3‑57, including his landmark 350th Test wicket. Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna chipped in with one wicket each.

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Sri Lanka’s fightback was anchored by a resilient 146‑run partnership between Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella. Dinusha reached his century in 167 balls, while Dickwella struck a fluent 80 off 115 deliveries. Their stand lifted Sri Lanka from a precarious 90/5 and ensured the hosts avoided the follow‑on.

The breakthrough came in the 62nd over when Krishna found movement to dismiss Dickwella, ending the sixth‑wicket stand. Jadeja then reached his milestone in bizarre fashion, as Keshara Nuwantha’s drive ricocheted off Yashasvi Jaiswal at silly point before Shubman Gill completed the catch at cover.

Dinusha remained defiant, sweeping Suthar to deep square leg to bring up his hundred. But his dismissal soon followed, trapped lbw by Jadeja with a sharply turning delivery. Suthar wrapped up the innings by removing Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara, the latter stumped while charging down the pitch.

India’s disciplined bowling display left them firmly in control of the contest, with Sri Lanka’s lower order collapsing for just 50 runs after the big partnership. With a massive lead and momentum on their side, India will look to press home their advantage when play resumes.

Jadeja Reaches 350-Wicket Milestone

Ravindra Jadeja added another glittering achievement to his Test career on Monday, becoming the first Indian left-arm bowler to claim 350 wickets in the format.

Returning to the side after missing the Afghanistan Test, Jadeja reached the milestone on Day 3 of the opening match against Sri Lanka at Galle. The landmark dismissal came when Jadeja removed Keshara Nuwantha in the third session.

With this feat, Jadeja surpassed Zaheer Khan, who finished with 311 wickets, and joined an elite group of Indian bowlers — Anil Kumble (619), Ravichandran Ashwin (537), Kapil Dev (434), and Harbhajan Singh (417). Globally, he is only the third left-arm spinner to reach 350 wickets, alongside Rangana Herath (433) and Daniel Vettori (362).

Jadeja also became just the fourth cricketer in Test history to record the double of 4,000-plus runs and 350-plus wickets, joining Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Vettori.

(IANS)