'Looks like a very promising guy, someone who can play for India for a long time': Gill on Suthar

Galle: India skipper Shubman Gill has hailed young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar as a long-term prospect for the national team after his stellar 10-wicket match haul spearheaded India’s 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.

Suthar tore through the Sri Lankan batting lineup in the second innings with figures of 6 for 55, finishing with match figures of 10 for 126. The performance marked his second consecutive five-wicket haul in as many matches.

"He has been bowling magnificently. Looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a long time," Gill said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The Indian captain also lavished praise on top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal, who earned the Player of the Match award for a commanding 167 in the first innings. Padikkal was brought into the side at No. 3 following an injury to Sai Sudharsan, who failed to recover from a big toe issue.

"He has magnificent to watch. Important to get hundreds but even after getting a hundred. He got a big one. Being in a competitive match and in a comfortable position…the way he batted and dominated in the second innings, was great to watch," Gill said.

The victory brings welcomed relief to the Indian camp, though they remain fifth in the World Test Championship standings with 53.33 percentage points. Australia (77.78), South Africa (75), and Bangladesh (66.67) currently occupy the top spots ahead of India.

"That (WTC final) is the ultimate goal. Test wins do not come easy and this one is delightful," he said.

Rain broke over the ground shortly after the final wicket fell, leaving the visitors thankful that impending bad weather did not derail their push for victory.

"It is a very satisfying win for us. We were in a comfortable position, but were not sure if the match would go on (because of the weather), but the team responded well."

Gill dismissed concerns over India’s rapid second-innings collapse, where they were bowled out for 193 in a bid to accelerate the scoring rate.

"Not really (bothered). We wanted to get (a lead) around 400 in the third innings. Wicket was not easy to score runs at will, so were looking to play more aggressively. We were unsure as to how many overs we would be able to bowl on days four and five. In that process, we lost a few wickets but we were still in a comfortable position."

Padikkal, who finished with a match aggregate of 211 runs (167 and 44), noted that managing the Sri Lankan spin attack came down to patience on a slower surface.

"It was a bit of a slowish wicket, was not providing a lot of bite, so left-handed batters were able to negate the left-arm spinners. In the end, it was all about who came out on top with their skillset," Padikkal said after being adjudged player of the match for his aggregate of 211 runs (167 and 44).

"The wicket had its natural wear and tear, was a good Test wicket. Turned a lot more from the third day onwards."

Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva conceded that losing the toss was a major factor, allowing India to post a commanding total early.

"They won the toss, get the runs on the board, and with our batting, we lost wickets and it went downhill from there. I thought from the second day onwards, we were in the game. Boys fought hard, even in the fourth innings. It is not easy (batting last in Galle)," De Silva said.

De Silva added that the pitch offered ideal batting conditions during the opening stages of the match before deteriorating.

"Good to bat on first three days. Obviously fourth innings would not be easy in Galle. The starts Rahul and Padikkal got, they made them big and put pressure." (PTI)