{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Dhananjaya de Silva Sets WTC Record for Sri Lanka Despite 165-Run Loss to India in Galle Test",
  "summary": "Despite Sri Lanka's 165-run defeat against India in the Galle Test, captain Dhananjaya de Silva scored 59 in the second innings to become Sri Lanka's leading batter with the most 50-plus scores in WTC history.",
  "content": "India registered a dominant 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at the Galle International Stadium. Set a challenging fourth-innings target of 372 runs, the hosting Sri Lankan side folded for 206 runs on the fifth day. Despite the loss, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva created a significant personal milestone. By scoring a resilient 59 runs in the second innings, de Silva became Sri Lanka's highest 50-plus score maker in World Test Championship (WTC) history.\n\nDhananjaya de Silva's Record-Breaking WTC Achievement\nThe Sri Lankan captain had a modest outing in the first innings at Galle, scoring just 21 runs before being dismissed. However, with his side chasing 372 in the fourth innings, de Silva compiled a gritty 59 runs. Although the innings could not save his team from defeat, it registered as his 23rd 50-plus score in WTC history. Across his WTC career, he has notched up 9 centuries and 14 half-centuries.\n\nDhananjaya de Silva's overall WTC statistics reflect remarkable consistency in Test cricket. Playing 38 Test matches and batting across 68 innings, he has accumulated 2776 runs at a solid batting average of 44.77, establishing himself as a core pillar of Sri Lanka's batting line-up.\n\nOvertaking Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne\nWith his half-century in the second innings at Galle, Dhananjaya de Silva surpassed experienced teammates Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne. Prior to this match, all three batters were level with 22 fifty-plus scores each in WTC history, but de Silva's latest knock moved him into sole possession of the top spot.\n\nThe top Sri Lankan run-getters with the most 50-plus scores in WTC history are\n\n• Dhananjaya de Silva: 23 fifty-plus scores (9 centuries, 14 half-centuries)\n• Dinesh Chandimal: 22 fifty-plus scores\n• Dimuth Karunaratne: 22 fifty-plus scores\n• Angelo Mathews: 15 fifty-plus scores\n• Kusal Mendis: 14 fifty-plus scores\n\nGalle Test Match Flow and Final Day Action\nChasing India's target of 372 runs, Sri Lanka encountered consistent pressure from the Indian bowling attack on the final day. Sonal Dinusha fought hard for the hosts, top-scoring with 84 runs, while captain Dhananjaya de Silva supported him with 59 runs. However, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled out for 206 runs on Day 5, securing a 165-run victory for India.\n\nCaptain Dhananjaya de Silva Reflects on Galle Defeat\nAddressing the match outcome, Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva pinpointed India's first-innings batting as the major difference between the two sides. He specifically credited KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal for their outstanding first-innings contributions, which laid the foundation for India's large total.\n\nDe Silva stated that KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal successfully converted their early starts into substantial scores, putting Sri Lanka under heavy pressure. He also pointed out that the toss played a crucial role, as Sri Lanka lost early top-order wickets in their initial turn at bat and fell behind in the contest. Furthermore, he noted that fourth-innings batting conditions on the Galle pitch were particularly demanding for the batters.\n\nWhat this means for you\nFor Cricket Fans: India takes a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series and strengthens its position in the World Test Championship standings, while Sri Lankan fans get to celebrate a major milestone by captain Dhananjaya de Silva.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who won the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka?\nIndia won the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle by 165 runs.\n\n2. What record did Dhananjaya de Silva set in the WTC?\nDhananjaya de Silva became Sri Lanka's leading batter for most 50-plus scores in WTC history, achieving his 23rd such score.\n\n3. Whose Sri Lankan WTC records did Dhananjaya de Silva surpass?\nDhananjaya de Silva surpassed Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne, who previously shared the Sri Lankan record with 22 fifty-plus scores each.\n\n4. What was Sri Lanka's target in the fourth innings at Galle?\nSri Lanka was set a target of 372 runs in the fourth innings but was bowled out for 206 runs on the fifth day.\n\n5. Who was Sri Lanka's top scorer in the second innings at Galle?\nSonal Dinusha top-scored for Sri Lanka with 84 runs, while captain Dhananjaya de Silva contributed 59 runs.\n\n6. What are Dhananjaya de Silva's overall WTC statistics?\nIn 38 Test matches and 68 WTC innings, Dhananjaya de Silva has scored 2776 runs at an average of 44.77, including 9 centuries and 14 half-centuries.\n\n7. What did Sri Lanka's captain identify as the main cause of defeat?\nDhananjaya de Silva attributed the defeat to India's solid first-innings batting by KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal, along with Sri Lanka's early wicket losses in their first innings.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/gola-testa-men-bharata-se-hara-ke-bada-bhi-dhananjaya-de-silva-ka-bara-dhamaka-wtc-men-bane-sri-lanka-ke-nnbara-1-ballebaja-18489",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-19",
  "tags": [
    "Dhananjaya de Silva",
    "Galle Test",
    "India vs Sri Lanka",
    "World Test Championship",
    "WTC Record",
    "KL Rahul",
    "Devdutt Padikkal"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}