Manav Suthar recorded the highest proportion of big-turn deliveries among all spinners in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, with 74% of his balls turning more than 4.5 degrees. The 24-year-old left-arm spinner returned figures of 4/76 in 21.4 overs, helping bundle Sri Lanka out for 284 in their first innings.
Suthar's 74% big-turn rate placed him well clear of the rest of the attack. Sri Lanka's Keshara Nuwantha followed at 60.4%, while Ravindra Jadeja recorded 58.2% and Kuldeep Yadav 50%. Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha managed 33.3%, Prabath Jayasuriya 22.2% and Dhananjaya de Silva 12.5%.
India posted 462 in their first innings to establish a 178-run first-innings lead. The match runs from August 15 to 19, 2026 at Galle.
How did Suthar claim his four wickets and what was his preparation?
Suthar opened his account in Sri Lanka's first innings by removing Dinesh Chandimal off the very first ball he bowled in the match. All four of his wickets came from the 4-5 metre length zone, where he delivered more than half of his balls throughout the innings. He also outlined the team's session-by-session bowling plan. Suthar also reflected on the confidence a first-ball wicket provides.
"I was practising with the Kookaburra ball after the Afghanistan Test. So, my plan was pretty simple to bowl in good areas, right length, right speed as the wicket here offers some bounce too which makes it mandatory to bowl at the right line," said Suthar as quoted by Times of India.
"Our main focus was to get wickets in the first session. We didn't get wickets in the second session but we got results in the third session. So, our focus was to keep bowling consistently in good areas. They (SL batters Dinusha and Dickwella) were rotating the strike well. So, we needed to plan accordingly. So, our focus was on how we can create opportunities by bowling stump to stump line and find the right pace to bowl for this wicket. It's a very good feeling to get a wicket on the first ball. It gives you lots of confidence throughout the game, I was also playing in the County cricket (for Warwickshire)," he added.
What did Jadeja's milestone and Sri Lanka's lower-order resistance mean for the match?
Jadeja claimed three wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and reached the landmark of 350 Test wickets during that spell. Despite the Indian spinners' collective effort, Sri Lanka's lower order mounted a significant challenge through a 146-run sixth-wicket stand between Sonal Dinusha, who scored a maiden Test century, and Niroshan Dickwella, who contributed 80. Suthar spoke about what he hopes to absorb from Jadeja's craft.
"There are a lot of things that I can learn from him. He uses the (bowling) crease so well. His consistency while bowling at stumps is world class. So I would like to learn from him that no matter what the batsman is doing. How long can I bowl on the stump? Can you get a false shot? So there's a lot to learn from him," Suthar said.
| Bowler | Deliveries with large turn (> 4.5%) |
| Manav Suthar | 74% |
| Keshara Nuwantha | 60.4% |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 58.2% |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 50% |
| Sonal Dinusha | 33.3% |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 22.2% |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 12.5% |
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