# India defeats Sri Lanka by 165 runs in first Galle Test > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-cricket-team-preparation-for-sri-lanka-test-series > Updated: 2026-08-18T07:34:48.000Z. Sources: 101. Developments: 5. India secured a 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. This victory, achieved during India’s 600th Test match, provides a significant boost to India’s World Test Championship campaign, moving them to fifth in the standings. Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 372, were bowled out for 206 on the fifth day. Despite resilient efforts from captain Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Sonal Dinusha, who scored 84 in the second innings following a century in the first, the hosts could not overcome the Indian bowling attack. Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the standout performer, claiming a match haul of 10 wickets in only his second Test. Suthar took 4 wickets in the first innings and 6/55 in the second, including a “decisive triple-wicket maiden” that dismantled the Sri Lankan middle and lower order. Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Russel Arnold compared Suthar’s patient approach and subtle variations to the style of legend Rangana Herath. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match after scoring 211 runs across both innings, highlighted by a first-class century of 167 in the first innings. In India’s second innings, Rishabh Pant contributed 66 runs and became the fastest Indian player to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket. KL Rahul also contributed 82 runs in the first innings. The match concluded shortly before heavy rain arrived in Galle. As the series moves to the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Arnold suggested Sri Lanka may struggle to balance their lineup, noting that a need for batting depth might prevent them from adding an additional specialist spinner like Ramesh Mendis. ## Claims - The first Test match of the two-match series between India and Sri Lanka is being held at the Galle International Stadium. (corroborated by 4 sources) - India currently holds fifth position in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rain delayed the start of the second day of the Test match between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Only 73 overs were played on the first day due to rain. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Devdutt Padikkal scored 131 runs, marking his first Test century. (corroborated by 3 sources) - KL Rahul scored 77 runs before retiring hurt due to cramps. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 27 runs. (corroborated by 3 sources) - scored an unbeaten 131 off 178 balls on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle (corroborated by 3 sources) - Shubman Gill expressed that captaining India in their 600th Test match on Independence Day is a significant honor. (corroborated by 2 sources) - India is the first Asian team and only the third team globally, after England and Australia, to play 600 Test matches. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Sri Lanka holds sixth position in the World Test Championship standings. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Devdutt Padikkal scored his first Test century in Galle. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: India defeats Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle Test India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Galle Test, led by Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket match haul and Devdutt Padikkal’s century, taking a 1-0 series lead. 62 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dinesh-chandimal-hospitalized-with-neck-and-shoulder-injury ### 2026-08-16: India leads Sri Lanka by 178 runs in Galle Test India holds a 178-run lead in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle after bowling the hosts out for 284, despite a maiden Test century from Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/devdutt-padikkal-scores-maiden-test-century-in-galle ### 2026-08-14: Devdutt Padikkal hits maiden Test century as India dominates Day 1 in Galle Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century (131*) as India reached 288/2 on Day 1 against Sri Lanka in Galle, despite rain delays and KL Rahul retiring hurt with 77. 48 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-opts-to-bat-first-in-first-test-against-sri-lanka ### 2026-08-12: India vs Sri Lanka Test series begins in Galle India began a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle, marking India's 600th Test match. Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first in the crucial World Test Championship fixture. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stuart-broad-critiques-ravindra-jadejas-sword-celebration ### 2026-08-05: India adds four spin bowlers as net bowlers for Sri Lanka Test India's BCCI named Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam as net bowlers to prepare for the August 15 Test in Galle, Sri Lanka. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-adds-four-spin-bowlers-as-net-bowlers-for-sri-lanka-test --- Cite as: India defeats Sri Lanka by 165 runs in first Galle Test. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-cricket-team-preparation-for-sri-lanka-test-series