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Chasing 372, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 206 in 77.4 overs, with Suthar finishing with 6/55 in the second innings after taking 4/76 in the first. His match figures of 10/131 underlined his the left-arm orthodox spinner's growing stature as Shubman Gill-led side secured a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

The victory was built on two outstanding individual performances. Devdutt Padikkal, playing only his third Test, produced a career-best 167 in India's first innings, while Suthar, in just his second Test, completed his maiden 10-wicket match haul. He has a fifer in both his Test matches.

Padikkal puts India in command

India made the most of batting first, posting 462 all out in 116.4 overs. Padikkal was the central figure in the innings, scoring 167 off 230 balls, with 15 fours and a six. The left-handed batter's ton in Galle was his maiden Test hundred and came after he had been drafted into the XI following Sai Sudharsan's injury.

Senior India batter KL Rahul provided crucial support with 82, while Dhruv Jurel added 51 as India built a substantial total in the first innings before India witnessed a late middle-and-lower-order collapse.

Sri Lanka's spinners fought back, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 4/109 and debutant Keshara Nuwantha claiming 3/175. But Padikkal's long stay at the crease had already given India the platform they needed.

Sri Lanka recover after early collapse

Sri Lanka's first innings initially looked in danger of ending quickly after India reduced them to 99/5. However, Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella mounted a determined fightback. Dinusha scored a maiden Test century, making 100, while Dickwella contributed 80 as the pair helped Sri Lanka reach 284.

India eventually secured a 178-run first-innings lead, with Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja sharing seven wickets between them. That lead proved decisive.

Pant gives India the runs they need

India's second innings was considerably less productive, as they were dismissed for 193 in 48.5 overs. The top-order failed to replicate the performance from the first innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, however, provided the aggression India needed, scoring 66 off 69 balls, while Padikkal followed his 167 with a useful 44. Pant even became the first Indian to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket with his quickfire knock.

India's second-innings effort gave Sri Lanka a target of 372, leaving the hosts needing what would have been a record chase at the venue.

Suthar finishes the job

Sri Lanka's chase began on a dismal note as Dhananjaya de Silva-led side slumped to 47/4 inside 22 overs as India's bowling attack tightened its grip early on. Mohammed Siraj, Suthar and Prasidh Krishna gave the hosts early jolts in the big run chase as Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis and Lahiru Udara were dismissed cheaply.

However, a 95-run stand for the fifth wicket between captain de Silva and Sonal Dinusha offered some resistance before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the Sri Lankan skipper for 59.

Dinusha's innings came to an end for 84 as the 25-year-old all-rounder was caught at leg gully by Dhruv Jurel and his stubborn resistance was ended by Suthar.

Suthar had already demonstrated his value in the first innings with 4/76. In the second, he produced the decisive spell, taking 6/55 to finish with 10 wickets in the match.

The 24-year-old left-armer showed the ability to both turn the ball and push it through, making him difficult for the Sri Lankan batters to settle against.

India's dressing room erupted when Suthar claimed the final wicket, completing a performance that had been building throughout the match.

Sri Lanka's top-order worries continue

While Dinusha's two strong contributions offered encouragement, Sri Lanka's repeated top-order collapses will be a major concern.

They slipped to 99/5 in the first innings and could not establish the partnerships required to challenge India's 178-run advantage. Even in the chase, India's bowlers were able to keep taking wickets before Sri Lanka could build sustained pressure.

The performances of Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva showed that Sri Lanka have batters capable of handling disciplined bowling. The problem is that their top order is not providing enough support.

A landmark win led by India's new faces

India's 600th Test ultimately belonged to two players still establishing themselves in Test cricket. A No. 3 batter in his third Test produced 167 to set up the match. A left-arm spinner in his second Test then took 10 wickets to finish it.

Padikkal's innings created the advantage. Suthar exploited it.

India now lead the series 1-0, while the victory also provides a valuable boost to their World Test Championship campaign.

For a team entering a new phase of Test cricket, the emergence of Padikkal and Suthar could prove as significant as the 165-run victory itself.