Suthar takes 2-17 as Sri Lanka slumps to 99-5 at lunch on Day 3 of 1st cricket test against India Sri Lanka’s batting lineup struggled under sustained pressure from India’s bowlers during the third day of the first Test against India, collapsing to 99-5 at lunch. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar played a pivotal role, claiming two wickets for 17 runs, while India’s pace attack and spinners combined to dismantle the home side’s top order. The Sri Lankan team’s inability to counter India’s bowling strategy led to a dramatic collapse, with no batter managing to cross the 30-run mark in the first innings. The match began with India’s bowlers imposing their will early, as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Nishan Fernando for a two-ball duck. Suthar, making his Test debut, struck immediately with the first delivery he bowled, removing Dinesh Chandimal (4) caught behind. The left-arm spinner continued his dominance, finishing the day with figures of 2-17, while Kuldeep Yadav (1-25) and Ravindra Jadeja (1-6) also contributed to the wickets. Sri Lanka’s middle order briefly resisted, with Kamindu Mendis (14) and Lahiru Udara (27) adding 26 runs for the third wicket. However, Suthar ended their partnership by dismissing Udara caught at point off extra bounce. The collapse accelerated when Shubman Gill took a stunning one-handed, diving catch at cover off Kuldeep Yadav to remove Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka at 59-4 in 16.1 overs. Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka’s skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and Sonal Dinusha (31) managed to build a fifth-wicket partnership, but de Silva was dismissed by Jadeja just before lunch. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 14, while Niroshan Dickwella ended the day on 8, providing a glimmer of hope for the hosts.#kamindu_mendis #manav_suthar #dhananjaya_de_silva #dinesh_chandimal #lahiru_udara
