Manav Suthar takes four wickets in opening Test at Galle
Manav Suthar took four wickets in the first innings of the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium in Galle on Monday, August 17, 2026. The performance occurred on the third day of the match.
A gentle passing of the baton is on in Indian cricket and this one is centred around left-arm spin, the match narrative suggested. Just as Ravindra Jadeja copes with sporting twilight, his successor could well be Manav Suthar. Jadeja also figured among the wicket-takers, claiming three wickets in the same innings. Suthar made his Test debut against Afghanistan earlier this year.
“Our main focus was to get wickets in the first session. We did the same in the second session but Sri Lanka batted well. Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella played well and kept rotating the strike. But we got results in the third session,” Suthar told the media on Monday.
Even as Sri Lanka held firm between lunch and tea, Suthar described the bowling plans and intent: “Our main focus was to get them out and what could be the best mode of dismissal. Even if a wicket didn’t fall in that session, we just focused on creating opportunities.”
After his Test debut, Suthar practised with the ball used in Sri Lanka and laid out his approach: “I was practising with the Kookaburra ball after the Afghanistan Test and my plan has always been to bowl in good areas. The Sri Lankan spinners varied their pace and on this pitch, the more consistent you are, the more purchase you get.”
Suthar dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with his very first delivery and reflected on that moment: “It is a very good feeling to get a wicket off the first ball. It gives you a lot of confidence. The pitch here has some bounce and it has been a good experience to bowl on this surface.” He also clarified that issues like the ball going soft and the strong breeze did not affect his rhythm.
The report was published on August 17, 2026 at 09:01 pm IST from Galle; Photo Credit: ANI. Suthar’s four wickets and Jadeja’s three came in the first innings of the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka at Galle.
