Shubman Gill takes one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis in Galle Test
India captain Shubman Gill produced a one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis at Galle on Day 3 of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The effort came during an otherwise productive morning for India's bowlers.
India had finished their first innings on 462 earlier in the morning, having added only two runs to their overnight 460/9. The fielding moment followed an early burst with the ball: Mohammed Siraj needed just two deliveries to make an impact, getting Nishan Fernando to edge an away-moving delivery to Devdutt Padikkal at first slip. The session saw India turn the momentum after completing their batting.
Kamindu Mendis came down the track to Kuldeep Yadav, turning the delivery into a fuller ball and playing an uppish drive towards extra cover; Gill reacted instantly, throwing himself to his left and getting one hand underneath the ball just before it hit the turf. He held on as he hit the ground and was visibly delighted, tossing the ball into the air before punching the air in celebration. "Left hand, full stretch, absolute stunner from Shubman Gill!Watch #SLvIND, 1st Test, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #BeautifulGameOfTestCricket pic.twitter.com/xe2ldGxkpJ— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 17, 2026"
Manav Suthar made an immediate impact with the ball, taking a wicket with his very first delivery and later removing Lahiru Udara for 27. The left-arm spinner extracted turn and bounce consistently, keeping Sri Lanka's batters uncertain. Kuldeep Yadav then accounted for Mendis, with Gill's catch completing that dismissal. Ravindra Jadeja added to Sri Lanka's problems by removing captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21 shortly before lunch.
The dismissal gave India another crucial wicket as Sri Lanka struggled to cope with the movement and turn on offer in Galle.
Sri Lanka went into the break at 99/5, still 363 runs behind India. With the bowlers finding assistance and the fielders backing them up, Gill's catch became the defining image of an otherwise dominant Indian session.
