OTD| Sri Lanka completed one of their greatest win against India at Galle in 2015

Eight years back, former Sri Lanka skippers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were playing his last Test series at home. In the first of the three Tests against India, both teams played the game around India’s 70th independence anniversary. Talking about the match, it was meant to be played from August 12, 2015 to August 16. On Day One, the visitors, India asserted their dominance by bowling out the Lankan Lions for 183. 

Ravichandran Ashwin six wickets on the day. Even though the surface at Galle is ideal for teams batting first, the home side’s batting wasn’t inspiring. In reply, the then Virat Kohli-led side amassed 375 all-out thanks to tons from Shikhar Dhawan and skipper himself and a fifty from Wriddhiman Saha. After the first innings, the Lankans were trailing by 192 runs. India’s win looked inevitable at this point.

In the second innings, the home side was reduced to 95/5, getting further into hell hole. However, Dinesh Chandimal’s 162 off 169 balls unbeaten and some support from the lower-order helped the team reach 367, setting 176 runs to win for India with two days left in the game. Even though batting last, it was considered an easy target given the time they had. 

However, as it turned out, the former World Number Test side was bowled out for 112 runs, losing the game by 63 runs. For the home side, Rangana Herath took seven wickets while Tharindu Kaushal took three. While it was a memorable win for the Lankans, the Indians couldn’t believe their luck as they dominated the game for most times.