A spirited Indian comeback saw them overcome a resilient Sri Lankan lower order on Day 5 at Galle to post a comprehensive 165-run win and a 1-0 series lead. Chasing down a mammoth 372, the hosts were always fancied to give a good fight on their home ground. However, Sonal Dinusha and captain Dhananjaya de Silva laid a firm foundation with a 95-run stand, restricting the Proteas to a 165-run lead.
A blistering spell of left-arm spin from Ravindra Jadeja got the prized wicket of de Silva for 59, but it was Manav Suthar who picked up where Jadeja left off, claiming his first five-wicket haul in a fascinating tie that eventually went to the number 11. The left-arm spinner removed the last two batting partners to register a ten-wicket haul, after nailing the strike with a sensational effort, dismissing Dinusha for 84.
Suthar also removed Prabath Jayasuriya, who was looking to cash in, with a golden duck, and then bowled Keshara Nuwantha to wrap up the innings in stunning fashion.
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The WTC Picture: India Tightens the Race
The win awarded India 12 WTC points for the 2025-27 cycle, improving their Points Percentage (PCT) to 53.33% from 10 games (5 wins, 4 losses, 1 tie). They may not have climbed up the rankings, however, as they are placed 5th with 53.33%, just behind the first four teams. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was placed 6th with a PCT of 33.33%.
ICC World Test Championship (2025–2027) Standings
| team | played | Won | Lost | drawn | points | PCT (%) | |
| 1 | Australia | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 84 | 77.78 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 75 |
| 3 | new zealand | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 66.67 |
| 5 | India | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 53.33 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 33.33 |
| 7 | England | 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 38 | 24.36 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 22.22 |
| 9 | West Indies | 12 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 30 | 20.83 |
At the top, it's business as usual, as Australia leads the field with a healthy 77.78 PCT, with South Africa (75.00) and New Zealand (72.22) not far behind. Bangladesh, however, is the feel-good story of the competition, slotting in 4th, with an impressive 66.67 PCT, while England, Pakistan and the West Indies continue their slide down the rankings ladder on their way to the final at Lord's.