Ravindra Jadeja reached another landmark in his remarkable Test career on Day 3 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, completing 350 wickets in the format. The experienced all-rounder became only the fifth Indian bowler to reach the milestone, joining Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh in an elite club. His 350th wicket came when Keshara Nuwantha was dismissed for two, with Shubman Gill completing the catch. Jadeja had entered the Test with 348 wickets and 4,095 runs from 89 matches, needing only two wickets to reach the landmark. 

The milestone became even more significant because Jadeja also joined an exclusive group of all-rounders to have scored more than 4,000 Test runs and claimed at least 350 wickets. Only Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Daniel Vettori had previously achieved the feat. The dependable left-arm spinner is now third among left-arm bowlers for Test wickets, behind Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. Earlier in the innings, the veteran had dismissed Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21, with KL Rahul taking a sharp catch at first slip. Jadeja finished the innings with three wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284, giving India a 178-run first-innings lead. 

India seize control after Devdutt Padikkal’s 167 and dominant spin bowling display in Galle as they face Sri Lanka for Test match

India produced a largely dominant performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, building a commanding position through both bat and ball. After opting to bat first, the visitors posted 462, with Devdutt Padikkal leading the way with a magnificent 167 in his maiden Test century. KL Rahul contributed a valuable 82 after returning from a cramps-related retirement hurt, while Dhruv Jurel added a composed 51. Despite Sri Lanka’s spinners fighting back on Day 2, India’s batting unit managed to establish a substantial first-innings total. 

India’s bowlers then strengthened their grip by dismissing Sri Lanka for 284, securing a healthy 178-run first-innings lead. Manav Suthar was the standout performer, claiming 4/76 in an impressive showing, while the experienced Ravindra Jadeja picked up 3/57. The veteran all-rounder also reached 350 Test wickets, becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to achieve the landmark and joining an elite group of all-rounders with 4,000-plus Test runs and 350 wickets. Captain Shubman Gill also produced a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis. With Sri Lanka bowled out for 284, India have firmly seized control of the Test and now have an opportunity to set an imposing target in their second innings.