India beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle on Wednesday. Sri Lanka failed to chase a target of 372, being all out for 206 in 77.4 overs.
Despite the win, India remain fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with 64 points and a points percentage (PCT) of 53.33. Sri Lanka stays sixth with 20 points and a PCT of 33.33. In WTC, only PCT is considered, not total points.
India trails Bangladesh (fourth place, PCT 66.67), Australia (first place, PCT 77.78), and South Africa (second place, PCT 75). New Zealand is third with a PCT of 72.22.
Sri Lanka started their innings at 84/4. Dhananjaya de Silva (59) and Sonal Dinusha (84) scored 95 runs together, but struggled after de Silva was dismissed in the 56th over. Their next best partnership was 43 runs between Keshara Nuwantha and Dinusha for the seventh wicket.
India’s left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took 4/76 in the first innings and 6/55 in the second, but Player of the Match went to Devdutt Padikkal. He scored 167 runs in the first innings and 44 in the second, returning to India’s Test team after a year.
India reached 462 in the first innings after winning the toss and batting first. Sri Lanka replied with 284, led by Sonal Dinusha (100) and Niroshan Dickwella (80). In the second innings, India was bowled out for 193, with Rishabh Pant scoring 66.
Sri Lanka needed to chase 372 but fell short despite de Silva and Dinusha’s efforts.