India seal a 165-run win in Galle as Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket haul sinks Sri Lanka

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — India won the first test in Galle by 165 runs just minutes before a heavy downpour might have saved Sri Lanka on the fifth day Wednesday.

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took three wickets in the 76th over of Sri Lanka's second innings and cleaned up the last wicket in the 78th to dismiss the home side for 206.

Suthar picked 6-55 and completed his maiden 10-wicket haul in his second test. At 24, he's the youngest India spinner to take 10 in an overseas test.

India scored 462 and 193 and Devdutt Padikkal led with 167 and 44 to be the player of the match. Sri Lanka responded with 284 runs and began a vain chase of a winning target of 372.

It lost four wickets on Tuesday afternoon and its main resistance between Sonal Dinusha and captain Dhananjaya de Silva was broken on the last morning. From 175-6 at lunch, Sri Lanka lost the last four wickets for 31 runs across 64 deliveries.

“We knew one big shower was going to come and we didn't want to delay the game,” India batter Lokesh Rahul said. “They had one big partnership but we knew if we could break that we could get into their tail. It was a great test match. The wicket played really well all five days.”

India won its 600th test and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second test begins in Colombo on Sunday.

In the morning, Dinusha and de Silva looked to bat out time. They previously endured 74 deliveries before stumps on day four, and extended their partnership to 202 balls faced.

Both batters crossed 50 in the morning.

Ravindra Jadeja made the breakthrough for India, getting de Silva caught at short fine leg attempting a sweep. De Silva made 59 from 151 balls in just over three hours. He and Dinusha combined for 95 runs.

Four overs later, close-in fielder Yashasvi Jaiswal played on Niroshan Dickwella’s patience as the batter tried to hit Prasidh Krishna and was caught behind on 10.

Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha made it to lunch but Dinusha's dismissal after the break triggered the stunning collapse leading to India's win.

Suthar ended Dinusha's resistance. He was caught down leg, edging a wayward delivery from the spinner. The first innings centurion also top-scored for Sri Lanka in the second innings: 84 off 128 balls.

Prabath Jayasuriya went next ball and Lahiru Kumara denied Suthar a hat trick but was caught behind after facing another three balls.

Suthar then bowled Nuwantha to claim all of the wickets after lunch and his second six-wicket haul in tests. Previously, he picked 6-33 against Afghanistan on his debut in June. He took 10-131 in Galle.

“He has been bowling magnificently,” India captain Shubman Gill said. “Looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a long time.”

Gill also praised Padikkal: “He was magnificent to watch. It's important to get hundreds but even after getting a hundred he got a big one.”

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha plays a shot during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Manav Suthar celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Manav Suthar celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's captain Shubman Gill celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha plays a shot during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

And to think, Kyle Whittingham said he wanted to put an end to all the drama around Michigan.

Nobody could have scripted a more dramatic finish to the former Utah coach’s Michigan debut Saturday night.

No. 16 Michigan beat Western Michigan 13-12 on Saturday only after it was ruled that a second remained following Bryce Underwood’s unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt, even though the scoreboard clock indicated no time was left. Given a second chance, Underwood and JJ Buchanan connected on a remarkable 47-yard touchdown.

Just like that, an opening weekend filled with snoozers and blowouts got a moment worth talking about.

The second-chance Hail Mary led to the incomprehensible scene of the Michigan Stadium crowd storming the field to cheer the winningest program in Bowl Subdivision history eking out a victory over a Mid-American Conference school. It also capped an eventful opening weekend for new coaches.

Michigan brought Whittingham in to stabilize a program following the firing and arrest of Sherrone Moore, who lasted just two seasons. That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.

Whittingham spoke on multiple occasions this offseason about ending all that off-field drama. On the field, it appears he still has work to do.

Michigan committed three turnovers without forcing any, and the Wolverines allowed Western Michigan to have possession for over two-thirds of the game. Perhaps the spectacular finish will spark Underwood, who struggled for much of the night and had an inconsistent freshman season after arriving at Michigan as the nation’s No. 1 prospect in his class.

At least Whittingham won his debut. Oklahoma State's Eric Morris wasn't so fortunate.

Oklahoma State is coming off a 1-11 season but seemed a likely candidate for improvement after Morris added 91 newcomers, including 21 who had played for him at North Texas. The headliner was Drew Mestemaker, who threw for a Bowl Subdivision-leading 4,379 yards at North Texas last season.

But the Cowboys lost 24-10 to Tulsa, an indication Morris' rebuild could take some time. Mestemaker went 29 of 49 for 241 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown.

One coach who did have a successful debut at his new school was LSU's Lane Kiffin, who had been the center of attention throughout the offseason. When the NCAA’s new eligibility rules blew up in courtrooms all over the country, LSU made no secret of its interest in bringing back not just fifth-year players who went to court but players who had signed professional contracts.

This issue lingered late into the week, including the surreal spectacle of the SEC battling LSU in multiple courtrooms. LSU eventually decided against placing onetime pros Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris on its roster in advance of its season opener.

No. 11 LSU didn't need the extra help as it steamrolled Clemson 51-10, handing Dabo Swinney the most lopsided loss of his head coaching career.

It's the latest setback for Swinney as Clemson attempts to bounce back from its 7-6 finish last year. Those 2016 and 2018 national titles seem so long ago now.

No. 2 Oregon faced an early 10-point deficit before rallying to beat Boise State 34-27. Dante Moore threw a tiebreaking 62-yard TD to Dakorien Moore with 8:45 left.

The game was reminiscent of their 2024 matchup, when Oregon needed a field goal as time expired for a 37-34 home victory over a Boise State team featuring Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty.

That Broncos team went on to reach the College Football Playoff, and Oregon remained unbeaten until a Rose Bowl quarterfinal loss to eventual national champion Ohio State.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if both teams are back in the playoff this year.

Boise State's early-season schedule could go a long way toward sorting out which team has the best shot at earning the Group of Six's playoff berth.

Memphis (2-0) had a notable season-opening win at UNLV last week and will travel to Boise State next weekend. Defending MAC champion Western Michigan, which made quite an impression in its narrow loss to Michigan, will host Boise State on Sept. 26.

No. 6 Indiana’s new faces helped the defending national champions roll to a 52-16 victory over North Texas in their opener.

Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover went 13 of 16 for 231 yards with four touchdowns in his first game stepping in for Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Boston College transfer Turbo Richard scored twice and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh got the Hoosiers’ first touchdown with a one-handed grab.

One sign of concern for Indiana is that a defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game of any FBS team last year struggled to slow down North Texas.

Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Miami’s Malachi Toney have wasted no time launching their respective Heisman Trophy campaigns.

Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone as No. 1 Ohio State opened its season with a 56-3 blowout of Ball State on Saturday. Smith celebrated his second touchdown by doing a Heisman pose.

One night earlier, Toney performed a similar celebration during his three-touchdown performance in the seventh-ranked Hurricanes’ 45-6 victory at Stanford. Toney set a school single-game record with 234 yards receiving.

They're not the only Heisman contenders from their own teams.

Ohio State's Julian Sayin, who finished fourth in the Heisman voting last season, went 21 of 25 for 320 yards with three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown.

Miami's Darian Mensah, who led Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference title last year, threw five touchdown passes in his first game with his new team..

Sunday's lineup includes an early Apple Cup between No. 17 Washington and Washington State before prime-time showdowns: No. 4 Notre Dame against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and No. 9 Mississippi faces No. 24 Louisville in Nashville, Tennessee. The Labor Day capper sees Mike Norvell and Florida State hosting No. 19 SMU and dynamic quarterback Kevin Jennings.

The next AP Top 25 rankings to sort it all out will be released Tuesday.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here

Oregon wide receivers Evan Stewart (7) and Dakorien Moore (1) celebrate Moore's touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) celebrates his touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover (10) hands off to running back Turbo Richard (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Texas, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Missouri wide receiver Cayden Lee, left, scores past Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive back Na'il Johnson (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Colorado team celebrates a win over Georgia Tech after an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)