GALLE, Sri Lanka — Devdutt Padikkal said the slow nature of the Galle surface helped left-handed batters negotiate Sri Lanka’s left-arm spin more effectively after India secured a 165-run win in the opening Test on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Padikkal marked the victory with his maiden Test century, scoring 167 in India’s first innings and adding 44 in the second.
Key Highlights
- Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 and 44 in India’s 165-run win at Galle.
- He described the pitch as slowish and said it turned more from the third day.
- India posted 462 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 284 in the first innings.
- India now lead the two-match Test series 1-0.
Padikkal assesses the Galle pitch
Padikkal, who stepped into the number-three role in the absence of injured Sai Sudharsan, said the wicket gradually offered more turn as the match progressed. However, he felt it remained a good Test surface throughout the five days.
“It wasn’t providing that much bite off the wicket, so the left-handers were able to negotiate the left-arm spinners much better. I think that was the key,”
The India batter also pointed to the amount of left-arm spin used during the match as another factor that influenced how left-handed batters approached their innings. According to Padikkal, the combination of a slower surface and limited bite made it easier for them to manage the spinners.
Padikkal makes a strong case at No. 3
With Sudharsan unavailable, Padikkal made the opportunity count in emphatic fashion. His 167 came from 230 balls and included 15 fours and a six, providing India with a substantial platform in the first innings.
Padikkal said his early Test career had already taken him to challenging batting venues, having made his debut in Dharamshala before playing in Perth and then Galle. He described the Galle victory as a highly satisfying result for the team.
India build the foundation for victory
India’s first-innings total of 462 was built around Padikkal’s century, KL Rahul’s 82 from 175 balls and Dhruv Jurel’s 51 from 68 balls. Prabath Jayasuriya took four wickets for Sri Lanka, while Keshara Nuwantha claimed three.
Sri Lanka initially slipped to 90/5 but recovered through a 146-run partnership between Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha. Dickwella made 80, while Dinusha scored 100 as Sri Lanka reached 284, leaving India with a 178-run first-innings advantage.
Suthar leads India’s spin attack
India were dismissed for 193 in the second innings, with Rishabh Pant making 66, Padikkal scoring 44 and Rahul contributing 35. Asitha Fernando took four wickets for 31 runs, while Jayasuriya claimed three.
Chasing 372, Sri Lanka were reduced to 47/4 before Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinusha added 91 runs. De Silva scored 59 and Dinusha made 84, but Sri Lanka eventually folded for 206.
Manav Suthar played a decisive role in the lower-order collapse, while Prasidh Krishna produced an effective spell of 2/16 from 10 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja also took one wicket each.
India take 1-0 lead in Test series
The 165-run victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Padikkal’s performance was one of the defining contributions of the match and strengthened his case for a regular place at number three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Padikkal feel left-handers handled the Galle pitch well?
Padikkal said the surface was relatively slow and did not offer much bite, while Sri Lanka relied heavily on left-arm spinners. He felt those conditions helped left-handed batters negotiate the spin.
How much did India win the Galle Test by?
India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs after dismissing the hosts for 206 while chasing a target of 372.
What happens next?
India head into the remaining Test with a 1-0 advantage after a performance in which their batting created a significant first-innings cushion and their bowlers defended the target successfully.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
