India Seize Control As Suthar, Jadeja Spin Sri Lanka Into Trouble, Lead By 178 Runs

India strengthened their position in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, taking a commanding 178-run first-innings lead after bowling out the hosts for 284 on a rain-hit third day.

India had posted a formidable 462 in their first innings, putting Sri Lanka under immediate pressure. The hosts struggled early and slipped to 90 for five, raising the possibility of India enforcing the follow-on. But a determined sixth-wicket stand changed the course of the innings.

Sonal Dinusha produced a composed maiden Test century, while veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella fought his way to 80. The pair added 146 runs for the sixth wicket, frustrating India's bowlers and helping Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position.

India's spinners eventually broke through to wrap up the innings. Debutant Manav Suthar made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket and finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 76. Ravindra Jadeja provided excellent support with 3 for 57 as the spin duo claimed six of the seven wickets to fall.

Suthar's performance was particularly significant on a Galle surface that began offering increasing assistance to spin as the match progressed. India's ability to extract turn and maintain pressure proved decisive after Sri Lanka's middle-order resistance had threatened to reduce the visitors' advantage.

However, India's hopes of making further progress on the third day were disrupted by the weather. Persistent rain and fading light forced an early end to play at the Galle International Stadium, leaving India to begin their second innings on the fourth day.

With India holding a substantial lead and Sri Lanka facing another difficult bowling assignment, the visitors remain firmly in control. However, the weather could yet become a major factor, with more rain threatening to interrupt the remaining days of the Test.

India will now look to build on their advantage, while Sri Lanka face the challenge of restricting the visitors' second-innings lead and keeping their hopes of saving the match alive.