SL vs IND 2026: 3 decisions that helped India win Galle Test
India beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle on August 19, 2026.
2. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in the XI
India's decision to field two fast bowlers alongside three left-arm spinners gave their attack a different dimension on a surface that typically favours spin. Mohammed Siraj removed Nishan Madushka for a duck in Sri Lanka's first innings with a back-of-a-length delivery that seamed away, with Padikkal taking the catch at first slip. In the second innings, Siraj again targeted Madushka with the outswinger before eventually dismissing him with a bouncer off the last ball of his fourth over.
Prasidh Krishna finished with figures of 2/16 off 10 overs in Sri Lanka's second innings. In the first 20 overs of that innings, fast bowlers delivered ten overs and claimed 2 wickets for 20 runs, with Sri Lanka reduced to 41/3 at that stage. Siraj and Prasidh shared five wickets amongst themselves, which were vital to India's win.
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